New Truck!

[Kevin]

We had a Ford F-150. not that old, a 2015 with 76,000 miles. My wife and I always struggle with what to do, either pay for maintenance on an older vehicle, or just trade it off and get a new car. Usually we just end up getting a new vehicle. But it's something we both enjoy, I think my wife could be a car nut real easily. And a perk from her job is discounts on certain cars, even below what the dealer will discount it. This makes the trip to the dealer almost pleasant (almost).

Anyway, we got a RAM 1500, the Longhorn model. I'm posting this 'cause I know y'all like trucks here. It doesn't have all the new safety features like the forward collision, so I won't be breaking for any tumbleweeds. It does have an extreamly nice rear back up camera. The clarity of the lens and screen is very sharp.

We test drove a GMC 1500 Denali and this RAM is twice as smooth. I also feel like you sit a little lower than the F150. It almost feel's "car like" when I'm driving.

Here's the screen. It's 12 inches, which makes the navigation so, so wonderful. Sorry for the reflections, it's bright sunshine today.

This is an awesome storage area. There are two and they are built into the floor in the back seat area.

This truck came with the RAM storage boxes. I love these. A couple years ago we had a RAM truck as a rental in Colorado and had these storage compartments. They lock and unlock with the doors. I know it makes the truck bed more narrow, but they are easier to access and stuff doesn't roll around like it would in the bed.

 

[WAYNO]

Good for you! Very nice truck. 8)

It's nice to know other people spend money too. :mrgreen:

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Congratulations on your good looking new Spaghetti Western truck, Kevin! Ram trucks also have a Big Horn version which makes sense on a Ram, but apparently nobody told FIAT that longhorns are cattle! I ride by one of each--sometimes parked side by side--in a particular parking lot on most of my bicycle rides, and the Longhorn puts a smile on my face every time!

Rick C

 

[Mobuck]

"Ford F-150. not that old, a 2015 with 76,000 mile---either pay for maintenance on an older vehicle, or just trade it off"
Wow, that's some bad press for FORD.

 

[hittman]

Beautiful truck Kevin, those are very nice.

As you know I recently bought a new truck and Ram was on my short list EXCEPT the local dealer has crap for reputation. I likely would have ended up with a Ram if it weren't for that.

I found the Silverado, Ram and F150 to be very comparable in many ways.

 

[WendyZXZ]

It does look very nice!

 

[Heliman]

While not new, I just came from a half day of looking at and buying a used 2018 F150 for my brother. 21K miles for $31K. Nice trucks, both yours and my brother's. I am content with my '97 F250HD Powerstroke with 180K miles. Can't afford new......

 

[314Chevy]

My wife has a 2017 RAM Bighorn and loves it! I am not showing her your pics because she would want a newer one.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks, it is nice. The Ford was nice too, it didn’t have anything wrong with it, But all the reviews on the RAM were so much better. And we just wanted something different.

I read somewhere that Ford is re-making the F150 for the 2021 models. This year they redid the Explorer. And we thought about one, but they just aren’t big enough for what we wanted.

 

[BDM1]

That is a VERY nice truck. I like the side compartments too. Congrats, good drivin'!

 

[Big Old Boy]

Both of my sons have RAMS and love , nice truck.

 

[Mike J]

Thanks, it is nice. The Ford was nice too, it didn’t have anything wrong with it, But all the reviews on the RAM were so much better. And we just wanted something different.

I read somewhere that Ford is re-making the F150 for the 2021 models. This year they redid the Explorer. And we thought about one, but they just aren’t big enough for what we wanted.

FWIW most of the time I was growing up my father worked in the service department at Ford dealers. He started out doing new car get ready, moved to being a mechanic, then a service advisor, then service manager. After I was grown he got away from the dealerships for the most part & had his own business. The one piece of advice he gave me about buying vehicles was to never buy the first year of a new model. It is usually good to give them a year or two to get the bugs worked out before you buy.

Congratulations on your truck.

 

[OVERLOADDED]

My 2015 Silverado has 131000 miles! Only issue is the fuel tank vent! Overloadded

 

[tinman]

I bought my Ram Tradesman new back in 2013. It came already equipt with the small V-8 gas engine, sprayed in bed liner, the complete towing package, 4WD and the Ram Box's like yours. The cool thing about those is that they only use the space above, in front and behind the wheel wells, so you still have a full 4 foot wide floor for hauling stuff. Another plus, since they have built-in drains, they can be used as drink coolers. Mine also has the "hidden" storage compartments on the rear floorboard. They offer locks for them if ya wanna make em into travel safes. I just crossed over 140,000 miles and would not change a thing. And unless I win some other brand as a gift.....I will be a Ram customer for as long as they have the RamBox feature. I can't believe the other truck makers don't do the same thing. Enjoy the new ride.

 

[Mobuck]

I just can't like the newer Dodges. That variable steering gives me the willies and the gas pedal is so touchy, it's impossible to control speed on the road unless using the cruise control. In 2017 we drive my friend's Dodge to New Mexico and in 2018 we drove my Chevy over about the same route to NM. My slightly older Chevy w/4 speed auto transmission got better mileage than the newer Dodge with 6 speed auto and was easier to drive in the process.

 

[Captain America]

Congratulations, those trucks are great, the Hemi paired with the 8 Speed transmission is trouble free and depending on your gear ratio you’ll get 22 mpg in mixed driving.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

No word on the smaller diesels?

A buddy tows a 37' fifth wheel about 25,000 miles/yr, and likes the 35(00?) series Rams with the Cummins diesel. He trades his trucks in every three years or so--"while they'll still give me enough to pay the tax and license on the new one"--and a couple of trucks ago, he came home with an F-350 with the PowerStroke. Dodge dealer didn't have and couldn't get the truck he wanted on his time schedule. He never had a lick of trouble with the Ford, but went back to Ram this last time. Mostly that subjective feel thing between one brand and another, I guess.

Anyway, I know the "little" diesel wouldn't suit his needs, but how about folks towing the size trailers suitable for half tons? Is it working out for them?

Rick C

 

[Taterman]

Congrats on the new truck.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Nice! I really like those built-in storage boxes.

 

[Kevin]

re: diesel:

Rick: I was torn. My wife let me decide. And while I wanted the diesel. I’ve never ever had a vehicle with a V-8. The new RAM’s don’t have Cummin’s engines anymore. My parents had a 1998 RAM 2500 with the Cummins engine. That was an incredible engine. The sales guy told me this 5.7 V8 with the 8 speed transmission has been in use for years. And it’s in all sorts of different vehicles since it’s part of Fiat now. The diesel on the other hand is relatively new and 3.0 liter designed in Europe.

I had a diesel VW, I really liked it too. Until they bought it back....

 

[diffy40]

Ram does still come with the Cummins engine but it has to be the 2500 or bigger. It was never offered in the 1500 series. I have a 2016 Ram 1500 with the 3.0 Eco diesel. Great fuel mileage and plenty of power for general use. I've pulled trailers with it some, it does ok but fuel mileage and power go down pretty quick.

 

[Kevin]

Oh, thanks, that makes sense. I didn’t know the details.

 

[skeeter]

The 1500 Rams are quick too. I have a 2019 Laramie Sport. My mileage isn’t that great, but I got rid of a 2012 2500 Ram with the Cummins. The maintenance on a diesel kills you.

 

[Rook]

Congrads on your new truck.

I may get a new truck someday if my 2003 Silverado ever wears out. I bought it new back in 2003. It's only got a little over 78,000 miles on it. It's taken me 17 years to put 78,000 on it so I'm 70 years old now and if it takes me another 17 years to put another 78,000 on it I'll be 87 years old by that time. By that time I'll probably be in the market for something like a Rascal Scooter to ride around the old age home instead of a truck.

 

[Kevin]

Rook, that is an incredibly nice looking truck. It looks like you park where people can’t park next to you and give you a door ding. Great job on taking care of it!

 

[smoke-eater]

Congrats on the new ride. May you and your new Ram have a long and happy relationship!

 

[Rook]

Rook, that is an incredibly nice looking truck. It looks like you park where people can’t park next to you and give you a door ding. Great job on taking care of it!

Thanks. I've been very careful with it. It's spent most of its time in my garage over the years. It's never gotten a single door ding in it. I've tried to keep it as clean under the hood and chassis as the outside.

I bought a new car one time back in '73 and got a door ding during the first hour that I owned it while stopping off at the bank on my way home from the dealership. :shock:

When I change the oil I take a rag and WD-40, while I'm under the truck, and wipe everything down including the engine and transmission, frame, spare tire, fender welds and just about anything I can put a rag on gets cleaned. While I'm waiting on the oil to drain I might as well be doing something.

I always kept the engine bay wiped down instead of washing because I've never had anything but bad luck when getting under the hood of a vehicle with a spray washer or water hose of any kind. Electrical equipment and water just don't mix in my experience.