Feedback from 2013-14 Ram owners

[KenHwy61]

I have had Fords and Chevys in the past, but I want to try something else. I am now looking at a 2014 Ram 2500 CTD and since they were redesigned in 2013, I was wondering what my fellow RVers have experienced with these new models. Has the new rear coil suspension been solid on the 2500? How about reliability and maintenance costs. Has DEF use and fuel economy been as expected? JD Power rates the Ram worst but Consumer Reports recommends Ram as best and is Motor Trend truck of the year. Very confusing! So, rather than relying on pencil pushing propagandists, I am looking for real responses from actually owners who's hard-earned cash was laid on the line. Thank you for your input!

[Chewie]

I don't have the 2500, but I have a 14 3500 dually. Love it. Good mpg, about 17 avg. unloaded w/3.73. Around 11-12 towing 5er. Good power, comfort and styling. This is my 2nd Cummins and I would buy again. I've owned 7 diesel trucks(both GM and Fords) and this so far is my favorite. DEF consumption is depending on a bunch of factors, but overall not a big expense. I last topped off DEF for $9 at Pilot. A tank will generally go several thousands of miles.

[KenHwy61]

Thanks for the info. I have also looked the 3500 with the Aisen trans but it is a little more truck than I need for my 10K trailer and there seems to be no issues with the 6 speed auto in the 2500. I hope to hear more feedback as the day goes on.

[Iwannacamp]

Look at turbo diesel registry. It is dedicated to ram diesel. It is a pay site, but you can nose around there is a ton of Dodge stuff there.


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[KenHwy61]

Thanks for the tip, I hadn't heard of that site before. From what I could see without a subscription, it looks like lots of good and in-depth technical data. There is even a 911 truck emergency thread to get you up and running ASAP.
Good and bad, I still would like to see what RV owners on this forum think of their new Rams.

[inspectorgf]

I wish i could give you my experience since I would love to have a new Ram. I have an 06, but I am a member of cummins forum. Be careful what you read on cummins forum and TDR as alot of those guys add horsepower and torque and create their own problems. Most issues I have read about the new ones are more annoying than any issue that would leave you stranded. Mostly check engine lights that have to do with emission equipment and radio issues. Usually check engine lights turn out to just need a reflash. As for cost of maintaining it they do get pretty expensive unless you do your own work. The trucks have 2 fuel filters now and I believe they want you to use synthetic oil also. Hard to tell about the reliability since not to many people have a lot of miles on them yet but it is kind of scary with the emissions stuff, however with as good as my truck has been I would buy another in a heartbeat if I had the money. Good luck in your decision.

[KenHwy61]

I have heard about the need to reflash the computer on newer trucks although I am not sure the reason why. Maybe somebody here knows the answer. I agree they don't come cheap, but having a 5year/100,000 warranty does help.

[cbconway]

I'm on my second Ram/Cummins. The first time, I bought the engine and the truck ('98.5) came with it. The '13 is an entirely different and very civilized machine. Gobs of power and a transmission that knows what gear to use. I had problems with the nav unit, which the dealer replaced on warranty, but I don't like it anyway -- I prefer my old Garmin. One check engine light resulted in a re-flash, but otherwise the truck has been without problems. DEF consumption is a bit higher than I anticipated, but not excessive and certainly not a problem. I thought the dealer I bought from was a diesel pro, but they missed changing the second fuel filter (near the tank) when I had it serviced and I don't completely trust them. That being said, I would buy the truck again in a heartbeat!

[fmc]

We have a 2014 Ram 2500 HD with the 5.7 Hemi. I get 17- 18 mpg empty and 11-12mpg towing our 267RLS Chaparral which is 7900 pounds empty. It tows our Chaparral with ease and we love the truck. I get the same millage as my friends 2014 diesel so I couldn't see paying the extra money for the diesel plus the extra cost of fuel.

[micpib1]

I currently have a 2013 Laramie Longhorn, Limited Edition, Triple Black with the RAM Box and I love my truck. This is my second Cummins and the power is fantastic, almost as much fun to drive as my 69 Dodge Super Bee. I have the Aisen (sp) 6 speed transmission, the exhaust brake and Leaf Springs. I love the heated/cooled seats, the sound system is a surround system with a sub, well I love my music when I travel. I am having a little issue with the USB port, as I can have hundreds of songs on a USB Drive, the system seems to duplicate the tracks. I currently have 35,000 miles and have experienced the normal little warrantee issues, but I would still buy this one again. Mileage: Highway- Empty, 18-21 MPG, Pulling my 10,000# trailer 9.5-10 MPG, I live in the mountains, running empty 17 MPG is normal and I do check my mileage with a calculator as the built in system is usually 1 MPG off. I know it sounds like a country song, but I love my truck. JH

[Rodgers]

You will love the 2014 or 2015 a great Truck. I have a 2014 LARIME LONG HORN MEGA CAB 3500 DRW SHORT BED PRAIRE PEARL/WHITE GOLD 6.7 CUMMINS 385hp/850, Aisin, 4.10's, LOADED FACTORY 5TH WHEEL PREP PULLRITE 18K SUPER GLIDE
PULLING 2011 39 FT 5TH WHEEL SIERRA BY FOREST RIVER I'M A FROG.
I too had a 1998.5 24V that I bought new drove it till last winter when it got totaled it TX. I had it beefed up a little but didn't need to much pulled both my Sierra 5th wheels great, but it was no match for the 2014. The main thing to know is with the 2500 you are limited with what you can have primarily in the real gear the 3.42 maybe the 3.73 I can pull up to 30k. T he trailer brake is real nice The exhaust Brake so nice peace of mind going down mountains tow/haul mode takes the guess work out of play truck maintain the right gear for you, but the selector lets you go up or down a gear if you need to. The TDR will help you very much $35.00 membership fee can save you lots of headaches in the long run worth every dime you will spend. As far as the opinions are good and bad take what you want leave what you don't. But there a those that know a lot that will help you nothing but a RAM CUMMINS FOR ME

[KenHwy61]

I'm glad to hear people are happy with their new Rams. It sounds like problems have been minimal and it seems Ram separating from Chrysler has been good. The large increase in sales appears to reflect that. I am a bit surprised to hear the gas hemi gets that good of mileage though. I wish my '12 Chevy 6.0 got that instead of 8-9 towing and 12-13 empty. I also thought the Cummins would get a little better than 10mpg unless that is while towing in the mountains or in a windy area. My 04 Silverado 6.0 got a terrible 6mpg while towing across a windy South Dakota so in that case I would have been very happy to see 10 mpg.

[8289Diamond]

We have a 2014 Ram 2500 CTD Laramie and love it. We have just over 11K on it now. We tow a Rockwood 8289 5'er with no issues. We have the air suspension on the rear axle. Level tow all the time with the push of a button. I could consider a 2" lift on the trailer but not needed. 6 speed AT and exhaust break. In tow mode and auto exhaust break on this is a towing machining. As with other posts we get 11-12 towing and with winter fuel we got 19.34 MPG at the pump last week.

[KenHwy61]

All the feedback has been very positive and it is nice to hear from a fellow Minnesotan. Now I can ask how the Cummins starts and how long before you have a warm interior when it is -15F like it is this morning. Extreme cold weather diesel performance has been one of my concerns but maybe it is not really an issue anymore. A remote starter would a nice option for mornings like today.

[Torch]

I have a 2013 Ram 2500 Crew cab SB Laramie pulling a Wildcat 295rsx. Besides some recalls for flashes I have had a leaky valve and differential cover which the dealer promptly repaired. I came from a 2012 Ram 1500 5.7 Limited crew cab sb,should of went straight to the Cummins,my bad thou I was happy with the 2012, also I did not look far enough into the future going from a TT to a 5th wheel..

[cbconway]

Originally Posted by KenHwy61

All the feedback has been very positive and it is nice to hear from a fellow Minnesotan. Now I can ask how the Cummins starts and how long before you have a warm interior when it is -15F like it is this morning. Extreme cold weather diesel performance has been one of my concerns but maybe it is not really an issue anymore. A remote starter would a nice option for mornings like today.

Don't know about starting in -15F weather, but mine warms pretty quickly -- much faster than my old Cummins. The trick is to start the engine (be patient while the intake heaters warm up), keep your foot off the brake while activating the cruise control, speed the engine to 1100 rpm or so, and press "set" on the cruise control. This keeps the engine at 1100 rpm as long as you don't touch the brake pedal and allows it to warm up faster in cold weather. I use it many mornings. Coolant temp comes up fast, oil temp a bit slower. The dash display gives temp readouts for everything except exhaust gas temp, in F or C.

[cbconway]

Oh, I forgot that you would probably have the 120v plug-in coolant heater in yours. I had it on my old one, but not the new truck. It keeps the engine warm & toasty all night in very cold weather.

[KenHwy61]

Thanks for the input. I used to drive heavy diesel trucks back in the 80s and they could idle for hours but would never really move the temp needle until they were put to work. I'm glad to hear they warm much faster now.

[MeepMeep]

I would caution against some of the "optimistic" mpg numbers that you've been presented here. My fuel log (for our 2013 RAM 3500 6.7L dually) over the past 17,000+ miles indicates a real mpg of 15/16 under normal driving and 11-12 when under load. The fuel "average" you see on the driver information center is woefully inaccurate as it shows us getting upwards of 17.5 - 19.... Miles driven divided by gallons consumed will net accurate mpg

[KenHwy61]

I have heard that many built-in truck mpg indicators tend to be slightly optimistic. The one on my Chevy says 11.9 currently (no towing). I don't even want to know if it is worse than that.