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Old 06-20-2017, 04:50 AM   #1
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Ford VS Ram

We are looking into buying a new TV and I would appreciate any comments. The Ford 150 Lariat with 3.5L EcoBoost vs Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7 L Hemi V8. Assume both vehicles would have the same features, crew cab, shorter box, max. tow package, 4X4, class IV hitch etc. It seems that AS people like the Ford but right now the dealers are offering the Ram with an 25 % discount, its almost too hard to pass up.
I am interested in any comments pro and con with regards to the Ram truck and or why would you pay the extra costs for a Ford.
Thanks
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Old 06-20-2017, 05:33 AM   #2
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FWIW I have a 2013 RAM 1500. There are pros and cons to every decision it seems so here are some of mine. This is why I chose the RAM 1500. Again this is just one man's opinion!

Pros:
I prefer the physical appearance of the RAM 1500
I "love" the RAM boxes (an option on the 1500)
It rides very well and is very comfortable to drive

Cons:
Payload is lower on the RAM 1500 than the F150 (generally speaking) which may be a critical factor depending on your needs
The 5.7 Hemi is less fuel efficient

Of course there are other difference but these are the main ones to me! Isn't it great to have choices!

But both are great trucks. And if I were buying again I would also take a serious look at GM!
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Old 06-20-2017, 05:44 AM   #3
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Both trucks are equally nice. The deciding factor would be payload as the Ford will have higher payloads. How much stuff do you bring with you? Are you wanting to put a shell on the bed of the truck? Check the door jam of the truck you are interested in for payload capacity. A chart off a manufacturer website is only a estimate. The higher the trim level the less payload you will have.
The Ram is a nice truck and you should be able to make it work by using a quality weight distribution/anti-sway hitch.
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Old 06-20-2017, 05:51 AM   #4
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I would say no thanks to the Ram if I had to drive it on salt treated roads. Rusted bedsides seem common on them.
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Old 06-20-2017, 06:03 AM   #5
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2017 Truck Pricing

Quote:
Originally Posted by drobbjr View Post
We are looking into buying a new TV and I would appreciate any comments. The Ford 150 Lariat with 3.5L EcoBoost vs Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7 L Hemi V8. Assume both vehicles would have the same features, crew cab, shorter box, max. tow package, 4X4, class IV hitch etc. It seems that AS people like the Ford but right now the dealers are offering the Ram with an 25 % discount, its almost too hard to pass up.
I am interested in any comments pro and con with regards to the Ram truck and or why would you pay the extra costs for a Ford.
Thanks
Auto industry sales are sluggish and inventories are high. All manufacturers are offering discount programs on cars and light trucks. Ford dealers in my area are advertising up to $11,000 discount on Ford F150's. GM and Ram are also significantly discounting trucks in my area and offering similar discounts from sticker. The manufacturers are providing dealers with incentive and low interest financing money to help move inventory.

Seasonally we are approaching the model changeover from 2017 to 2018 models. The closer we get to the introduction of the 2018 models, the less desirable the 2017 models are to some customers. The summer months typically see discounts on cars and light trucks as manufacturers and dealers work to move out the current model year and make room for the new model year in the fall.

One other factor. The Ford F150 and Superduty trucks recently went through a major update (styling, aluminum body, new electronics, and new engines). Ram, GM, and Chevy trucks have not experienced a major update for several years, only cosmetic styling changes and minor updates. Ram, Chevy, and GM trucks are scheduled for a major update in 2019 which will likely include an aluminum body like Ford trucks. Ford may not have to discount as deeply as Ram and GM because its products are viewed as more updated technologically. Ford may also be under less inventory pressure than GM and Ram.

The discounting on all pickups, except the new Ford SuperDuty (F250, F350), is extremely deep in my area. If you do some negotiating at the Ford dealer you may find they can be competitive on the F150.
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Old 06-20-2017, 06:08 AM   #6
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I have the 2014 Ram and have the auto air lift shocks.
This solves the weaker payload issue and gives you a better ride the 85% of the time your not pulling the AS.
25% savings buys a lot of fuel!
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Old 06-20-2017, 07:24 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmbecke View Post
I have the 2014 Ram and have the auto air lift shocks.
This solves the weaker payload issue and gives you a better ride the 85% of the time your not pulling the AS.
25% savings buys a lot of fuel!
There is more than just suspension that determines payload. Frame, brakes, axles, tires, etc. I would be very leery of just adding new shocks and saying the payload goes up 500 pounds to match the Ford.

We just bought a new F150 in April. We were deciding between the Ford and the Ram, and the increased payload was the deciding factor. We decided the higher price tag would cause us to cry once. The reduced payload would cause us to cry for the next 15 years.
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Old 06-20-2017, 07:28 AM   #8
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Adding shocks won't help your payload numbers but gettin rid of your passengers will!
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Old 06-20-2017, 07:53 AM   #9
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We have a 2013 Ram 1500 with about 130,000 km. on it (about half towing). We are very happy with the vehicle with respect to comfort and towing ability. Reliability has been excellent with one exception. We took the truck into a dealer while travelling for a routine oil change when we were informed there was a leak in the exhaust manifold. The good news is this happened at 98,000 km. and we were covered under warranty which is lucky as there was a good five hours of labour to remove the old studs and complete the repair.

Apparently this a well documented issue with the Hemi engine and can be diagnosed by the ticking sound when the engine is cold (and disappears as it warms up).
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Old 06-20-2017, 07:56 AM   #10
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Yep, both my jk wranglers had exhaust manifold leaks. It's apparently a Chrysler thing. Been waiting for it on my Ram.
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Old 06-20-2017, 08:19 AM   #11
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Full air ride makes the Dodge an easy choice.

The rest is niggling.
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Old 06-20-2017, 08:20 AM   #12
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Axle ratings and weight distribution hitches have a lot more to do with load carrying capacity when Airstreaming than the unexplainable payload number. We have had two Ram 1500's, 1450 and 1050 "payload".

All current Ram 1500s have 3900 lb rated axles. We load them evenly and shift some of the load back to the Airstream axles with a quality weight distribution hitch and are well below the GAWR axle ratings, and under the Ram's GCWR. Verified frequently at the CAT scale. Have no load capacity problems, traveled all over the country extensively for years. The Ram's handle and brake nicely and predictably.

"Payload" is a shopping tool, useful if you don't wish to consider the many truck, trailer, and weight distribution characteristics that make actually make up a good towing combination and daily driver vehicle.

Our Rams have been excellent for our Airstream FC 25, very easy on fuel, excellent ride, low maintenance (neither truck ever been in the shop for a repair). Easy, comfortable daily driver. The Hemi in a steel body truck is a proven package.
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Old 06-20-2017, 09:40 AM   #13
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Easy choice, get the V8.

There's an old saying, "the only substitute for cubic inches is rectangular dollars".
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Old 06-20-2017, 09:42 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH View Post
I would say no thanks to the Ram if I had to drive it on salt treated roads. Rusted bedsides seem common on them.
All the brands rust quickly on salted roads. I use Fluidfilm and apply every few months in the doors and body panels. It's the only way to prevent it.
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Old 06-20-2017, 09:55 AM   #15
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Hi

I have a Ford, guess which one I'd vote for

I disagree very much with the "ignore the manufacturers numbers" idea. Look at all the numbers. Payload does matter, towing capacity matters, axle ratings matter. If you had the numbers on the springs and the brakes, they matter as well. You don't have the rear axle numbers, but they matter. Rather than give you more data, they tend to combine it all into a couple of "here's the bottom line" numbers.

Compare the numbers on each truck against what you will be doing. Compare different trucks in each lineup against your needs. If you are going to keep the truck for 10 years, consider maintenance as well. It likely will be (over 10 years) a big chunk of the money you spend.

If you wish to, you can get a 10 year old Honda Civic. It *will* pull any Airstream ever made. You *can* do it. It may not pull it very fast or brake very quickly. It *will* pull the trailer ... It's all up to you.

Bob
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Old 06-20-2017, 10:18 AM   #16
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Listen to your uncle bob!

RAM and GM have nice trucks; check the Payload, MPG, tank size, and torque numbers....the F150 EB with the 36Ga tank will likely win. Now, is it as cheap today as a RAM or GM today; no. But, find a RAM or GM 1/2 on a dealers lot with 1500+ lbs of payload...that is a big challenge for sure.

One other observation; while at an AS rally earlier this year, I would say 90% of the TV's (including those pulling the 30' AS's) were Ford's. After 111K miles on our 2012 F150 EB with no mechanical issues, I have no hesitation to say Ford builds a great TV.
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Old 06-20-2017, 10:22 AM   #17
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I'd say check JD Power and Assoc. reliability research.
Recently, the BOTTOM four were Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Fiat.
Coincidence?
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Old 06-20-2017, 10:52 AM   #18
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Ram /Ford

We have a 2012 Ram 1500 and it has been stellar for power, handling and maintenance costs without issues ( 70%towing). We have a 27 FB trailer and need manage the payload carefully. If you want capacity then you cannot look any further than the Ford. They are both great trucks, just one carries more stuff .
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Old 06-20-2017, 11:51 AM   #19
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People keep asking this kind of question and just run into brand loyalty answers. You are not going to get a clear answer. There are many threads on tow vehicles; read them all and get thoroughly confused.
I couldn't get through my brand loyalty and kept looking at the Ford 1/2 ton because it was available with a 36 gal fuel tank, 10 speed transmission, and extra load(with the long bed, I think). But, I convinced myself that a 3/4 ton would fit all of my present and future needs better so brand loyalty kicked in and I found the right Silverado.
I am biased, I admit it. My bias tells me to never buy anything from FCA, even though many people are happy with their RAM's.
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Old 06-20-2017, 12:31 PM   #20
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Money matters.

We purchased a new 2012 Ram 1500 sticker price $32,000 for $24,000. We put a ProPride hitch on it, loaded our truck and 2012 Airstream RB with everything we needed for 6-7 months travel, and it towed like a dream, took as economically throughout the U.S. on many extensive trips.

Zero problems with the truck at 50k miles, it was as nice as new, we traded it for a new 2016 Ram EcoDiesel because we wanted one and could afford it. We got $20,000 trade-in and the $10,000 discount price of the new Ram.

They put it on the lot listed for $26,000 and sold it in less than a week. I don't know what they got for it, it was a really nice truck.

Payload matters little when towing, GAWR and GCWR does. Payload matters for hauling. We had a Toyota Tacoma with 1250 lbs "payload", our new Ram has 1050 lbs "payload". We know they each can carry their "payload" weight in the truck for hauling, but we sure would not hook our Airstream up to the 4 cylinder Tacoma and tow our Airstream with it. The Ram handles our Airstream 25 RB and all our gear with ease.
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