Experience with 2011-15 Ram 1500

[Emptyhanded]

Lately I have been considering selling my 99 Dodge diesel 2500 and picking up a lightly used half ton. I do not need the diesel, nor do I foresee needing it. I bought it a few years back and it has been a great truck, but I am thinking something that rides a little more smooth might be nice for the highway as well as in the mountains. Anyway, I have been looking at 2011-2015ish Ram 1500s and am curious to others experience with them. If I pull the trigger, my budget puts me in the 30-60,000 miles range. Reliability or any other concerns, I’d like hear them. Any opinions on their V-6 vs. V-8? I have driven 2015-2018 chevys for work and really enjoy driving them, but their resale seems a bit higher than the Rams. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!


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[BD1]

I have a 2014 V8. I love the truck. Pros: it flat out flys, comfortable, plenty of room for wife two kids and dog. I have had a free recalls. It has a slight exhaust leak which from my research is not common but not rare either. I put AT tires and magnaflow exhaust, otherwise stock. Whish I had went with the big Horn trim level that has more bells and whistles. Overall, I look for excuses to drive it and so does the wife. I love every minute of driving it.

[Emptyhanded]

Good deal! How many miles have you put on it? If you don’t mind me asking.


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[Man Tracker]

I also have a 2014 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi.  Other than a couple recalls, no issues.  I have put 60K miles on it.  Bought it with 18K.  Runs nice, rides fine and looks good.  Been a good truck.

[Mudman]

Hemi v-8... No v-6. 

[Romulus1297]

My kid has a 2014 v6 he made a round trip to Portland today. Not a single problem since new other than the dumb recalls. My girls 2012  hemi doesn’t get very good gas mileage but no problems either.

[Emptyhanded]

Thanks for the replies! Anymore input is appreciated!


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[cavemann]

reviving this...  Also looking at the Rams or F150.  2013 - 2015 range due to circumstances the $21k range is my window.  Any other dodge guys out there?  I've always had f150's.  The dodges in my range tend to have better bang for buck.  but that makes me nervous.

Just towing a small 17 bayliner a handful of times in summer to fish/water sports and hunting rig when not everyday driver.

[BD1]

I didn't see your reply to my pervious post...I think I have about 78K on it now. You won't even know you are towing that boat. I bought a travel trailer that is 4300# dry. It pulls it comfortably and safely in tow/haul. I put an electric trailer break control on it (it is already prewired for one). I will say that mine has a slightly different axel ratio than the standard which helps with towing too. (3.55 with a 6 speed transmission). 8600# Tow capacity on a crew cab with 5.7 ft. bed. I have just done routine maintenance and it is just like the day I bought it. Feel free to ask specific question or pm them.
Good luck,
BD1

[jeffro]

My dads ‘14 was a POS!
Great motor, fun to drive on the pavement, worthless in the dirt, snow or off-road
Had the rear end take a dump, never towed a single thing
Starter, plastic radiator, electric seats, rear window leak, plus recalls.
Spent more time in the shop than driving on the highway.
He’s retired, doesn’t commute, it may have had 20k miles on it.
He’s a Dodge aficionado, always been,
Said he’d never own another, after this nightmare

Edit to add- crew cab sport 5.7 short bed

[Grit dog]

They’re good trucks/drivetrains.
If you have the ability, get the 8 speed. 2014 or 2015 was first year.
Better than the dodge 5 speed auto.
But I wouldn’t turn down an older one if it was a deal. Just the 8 speed is THAT much nicer.

[Grit dog]

And like most newer trucks, look at the deals on the new left over 2018-2019 classic 1500s.
Be surprised what you could buy a new one for. Used market around here is too hot.
I’d buy elsewhere anyway.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I had the V6 in that year range as a rental for a month once, it would go but you had to gun it to get it to go. Nice truck road good just gutless, I would get the V8.

[Emptyhanded]

And like most newer trucks, look at the deals on the new left over 2018-2019 classic 1500s.
Be surprised what you could buy a new one for. Used market around here is too hot.
I’d buy elsewhere anyway.

This is exactly what I ended up doing. I bought a 2019 Classic Big Horn from Dave Smith for basically $18k off the sticker price. It was a better deal than anything pre owned that we had looked at. Have only put 4500 miles on it so far but I am loving it. I pulled our 14’ trailer with a Ranger on it all of hunting season (not a ton of weight obviously) and couldn’t be happier. I drive a 2017 Silverado for work which is nice, but I prefer driving the dodge!


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[Bowhunter3]

I have had both an ‘07 and ‘12, each with the 5.7 and they were both great trucks. Pulled between 2-4 sleds up the pass and to Canada quite a bit, on a deck and/or trailer. Pulled a 20ft glass boat a lot during summer months. Railed on them quite a bit and they never let me down. Put probably 80k on the 07 and 50k on the 12. Having a 15 tundra now, I probably wouldn’t ever get another brand of half ton, but if I did it would be back to dodge.