Dodge 1500 Owners

bowhunter1023 · Mar 5, 2016

Priority #1 after I get back to work is reliable transportation. The truck I bought in November is fine for running around here, but is not something I want to be driving 1K a week with. It has served its purpose, but I'll need to make a change considering how much I'll be driving with this job. Financially and practicality wise, it makes sense to me to trade my truck in on a new truck. (I'll be getting paid mileage, so MPG is not a huge concern. I'd rather own one vehicle than 2 and would still want 4x4 for bad weather, so buying a car is out. If I have an SUV, I need to haul shit with a trailer and I hate that. Trucks fit my lifestyle and make the most sense to what I do day to day.)

That said, I am considering 4x4, 4-door Tundras, F-150s, Silverados and Ram 1500s circa 2011 models under $25K and 75K miles. Lots of options out there in the Dodge lineup, which raises obvious concerns. However, I like the looks of the trucks and they have a loyal following. I know if I wanted a 3/4 ton diesel, I'm in very safe territory with the Cummings. However I'm thinking a Big Ram with Hemi assuming they do at least 15MPG daily.

So all you Dodge Ram 1500 guys, what say ye about your truck? What motor? Any major things to look for or stay clear of?

Big Weff · Mar 5, 2016

Better just go ahead and get a Chevy with the 5.3 haha

bowhunter1023 · Mar 5, 2016

Had one. Wasn't impressed. The one I had as a company truck was built like a girl. Must be why you like driving one... lmao

Schu72 · Mar 5, 2016

Jesse, I'm on my third Ram 1500. Had an '05 Big Horn, an '08 Big Horn and '13 Larimie. All had 5.7 Hemis, all were 4x4 quad cab. I leased the first one and bought the other 2. All were mechanically sound. Not one truck was ever in the shop for anything other than routine maintenance or a couple of factory recalls. When I traded in my 08 in around 75K miles and still had the factory breaks and rotors on it. I have chunky Goodyear Dura tracs on my current truck and still average around15.2 mpg. Not sure about higher mileage issues.

giles · Mar 5, 2016

Honestly, I'd keep what you have until the 6 month job contract was up. Then I'd think about trading, if the job was extended. I'd hate to see you get into a corner because you have more bills and hate your job or the job gets shit canned.

As far as what you've asked. The Hemi is a great platform that runs for a long time relatively problem free. The newer 8 speed trans hasn't been out long enough for me to make judgement on just yet. I do know that many companies are now using Ram 1500 trucks for fleet vehicles and loving them. 15 mpg though…you better be light footed!

Jackalope · Mar 5, 2016

giles said:
Honestly, I'd keep what you have until the 6 month job contract was up. Then I'd think about trading, if the job was extended. I'd hate to see you get into a corner because you have more bills and hate your job or the job gets shit canned.

As far as what you've asked. The Hemi is a great platform that runs for a long time relatively problem free. The newer 8 speed trans hasn't been out long enough for me to make judgement on just yet. I do know that many companies are now using Ram 1500 trucks for fleet vehicles and loving them. 15 mpg though…you better be light footed!

I agree. Run your current truck in the ground and then upgrade later this year when you know what the contract will look like. That's a better time of the year to be buying a truck also.

bowhunter1023 · Mar 5, 2016

I'm not taking on a payment and I'd rather do this than take the risk that I'm going to put money in to a 12 year old truck with 140K on it. It's certainly an option to keep it, however on my Pros/Cons list, that option doesn't win out.

"J" · Mar 5, 2016

Take a serious look at the tundras, stick with the base model in 4x4 and you won't be disappointed.... Solid trucks and have a history of reliability....

hntpike · Mar 5, 2016

Had 2008 hemi I got between 15mpg to 20 mpg I had 126000 on it with no issues at all and traded for 2016 ram with hemi have been average 18mpg so far. I have had chevy until the ram 08 and I would not go back to chevy 5.3 just my 2 cents

Beentown · Mar 5, 2016

2010 Ram with the 5.7 hemi. 65k miles now and no issues. Rarely hear of any issues with the 4th Gen Dodges. My 06 Durango (hemi also, 137k) has been perfect but is getting cancer.

My mileage goes from 19mpg freeway down to 10mpg pulling my large enclosed trailer, full (guessing 6-7k depending on cargo).

I was able to get mine with <55k miles for under 19k OTD with some hard looking, loaded.

P.S. I like the idea of driving the Ford until you see what is happening in the job. At least give it a couple months to feel out the future.

P.S.S. I REALLY like the upgraded console in mine with the console shifter/storage.

antiqucycle · Mar 5, 2016

Dodges do rust far faster than other brands, loosing value. And check the recalls so you know in advance what your getting into.

"J" · Mar 5, 2016

Fords coming out with a recall shortly for faulty brakes on the F-150's if I remember right...

Milo · Mar 5, 2016

I know where there is a 2013 tundra quad can with 36 k for A good price right now

aholdren · Mar 5, 2016

bowhunter1023 said:
Priority #1 after I get back to work is reliable transportation. The truck I bought in November is fine for running around here, but is not something I want to be driving 1K a week with. It has served its purpose, but I'll need to make a change considering how much I'll be driving with this job. Financially and practicality wise, it makes sense to me to trade my truck in on a new truck. (I'll be getting paid mileage, so MPG is not a huge concern. I'd rather own one vehicle than 2 and would still want 4x4 for bad weather, so buying a car is out. If I have an SUV, I need to haul shit with a trailer and I hate that. Trucks fit my lifestyle and make the most sense to what I do day to day.)

That said, I am considering 4x4, 4-door Tundras, F-150s, Silverados and Ram 1500s circa 2011 models under $25K and 75K miles. Lots of options out there in the Dodge lineup, which raises obvious concerns. However, I like the looks of the trucks and they have a loyal following. I know if I wanted a 3/4 ton diesel, I'm in very safe territory with the Cummings. However I'm thinking a Big Ram with Hemi assuming they do at least 15MPG daily.

So all you Dodge Ram 1500 guys, what say ye about your truck? What motor? Any major things to look for or stay clear of?

Gas mileage not an issue, then I give you the green light. I have had mine since 03 and it gets light use but has performed beyond my expectations when I needed it to. Mine has the 5.7 Hemi and other than needing a Rack and pinion its been maintenance free.

Huckleberry Finn · Mar 5, 2016

Milo said:
I know where there is a 2013 tundra quad can with 36 k for A good price right now

How good?

jagermeister · Mar 5, 2016

If you buy a Dodge make sure you buy a couple pairs of rear quarter-panels to replace the ones that rust out.

Beentown · Mar 5, 2016

jagermeister said:
If you buy a Dodge make sure you buy a couple pairs of rear quarter-panels to replace the ones that rust out.

That's the 3rd Gen trucks. Anything after 09 didn't have that issue as a whole.

moundhill · Mar 6, 2016

Beentown said:
That's the 3rd Gen trucks. Anything after 09 didn't have that issue as a whole.

Yeah I think 08 was the last bad year for the rust. My buddy's dad has an 08 cummins and the wheel wells are rusted clear through. That being said, dodge is the last truck I would ever buy. I just think they don't hold their value and have more issues than they should.

Beentown · Mar 6, 2016

moundhill said:
Yeah I think 08 was the last bad year for the rust. My buddy's dad has an 08 cummins and the wheel wells are rusted clear through. That being said, dodge is the last truck I would ever buy. I just think they don't hold their value and have more issues than they should.

List the issues of the 4th Gen Rams. I say this not because I am a fanboi, but because I did tons of research before buying mine.

I found more, non-recall issues with Toyota than Ram for example.

moundhill · Mar 6, 2016

I honestly couldn't tell you much about the 4th Gen. I'm just going off of the quality of truck they've always produced. I know very few people that have owned a dodge and been satisfied with the quality and reliability. Now the 4th gens might be totally different, and I don't know anyone personally that owns one other than a few of you guys. I guess I just look back at what they've produced in the past. Not trying to out down any dodge guys or piss anyone off.

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