Time to change to RAM?

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

For those that have newer RAM's and GM products how are they on the navigation systems?

Daquenzer, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie with the 12" screen and NAV. It's my first FCA vehicle and can tell you the Uconnect system is pretty intuitive and the maps offer what you'd expect with arrows for lanes to be in and next turn instructions in the center (speedometer) display.

I agree with the other posters that CarPlay or Android is silly-simple to use, but I love the real estate you get with the 12" display for Uconnect maps. *Car Play and Android only use the top half of the 12"; you can display the radio or environment controls in the bottom.

That said, the other reason to consider a Ram is the interior. It's "Mercedes / BMW" like inside. The rest of the truck is very nice too. Go sit in one and you'll see what I mean.

To gypsydad's point - definitely check the driver's door sticker for ACTUAL payload. I was told our Ram 1500's payload was 1840# by the salesperson based on his Ram Configuration Tools - they dealer-traded for the vehicle. A few weeks after we picked it up I discovered it was really 1220#. Had I known that I would have opted for a Ram 2500 gas that's in the 3000# payload range.
Still working with the dealer to get the payload we were sold...

Good luck!

[rbs]

Originally Posted by LuckyCloud

If you’re bent on getting a new TV and have a smartphone, ensure it supports CarPlay or the Android version.

You can also upgrade your existing radio to something that supports those and is a lot less $ than a new truck (though it’s a great excuse)! Check out crutchfield

I just picked up a 2019 duramax, it’s impressive. I also really like the no-contract WiFi hotspot in the truck.

I will readily admit the Ram was the most impressive, but $22k more than a similarly equipped chev.

a similar equipped 2019 Duramax was $22k less than the Ram? Really?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Daquenzer, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie with the 12" screen and NAV. It's my first FCA vehicle and can tell you the Uconnect system is pretty intuitive and the maps offer what you'd expect with arrows for lanes to be in and next turn instructions in the center (speedometer) display.

I agree with the other posters that CarPlay or Android is silly-simple to use, but I love the real estate you get with the 12" display for Uconnect maps. *Car Play and Android only use the top half of the 12"; you can display the radio or environment controls in the bottom.

That said, the other reason to consider a Ram is the interior. It's "Mercedes / BMW" like inside. The rest of the truck is very nice too. Go sit in one and you'll see what I mean.

To gypsydad's point - definitely check the driver's door sticker for ACTUAL payload. I was told our Ram 1500's payload was 1840# by the salesperson based on his Ram Configuration Tools - they dealer-traded for the vehicle. A few weeks after we picked it up I discovered it was really 1220#. Had I known that I would have opted for a Ram 2500 gas that's in the 3000# payload range.
Still working with the dealer to get the payload we were sold...

Good luck!

Interested to see about your resolution on that payload when they get you happy...thanks for the update!

[CWSWine]

Ram has problem with payload numbers, my 3/4 RAM if you check the VIN it says it has 3180(?) but on my yellow door tag it says 2868.

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Daquenzer, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie with the 12" screen and NAV. It's my first FCA vehicle and can tell you the Uconnect system is pretty intuitive and the maps offer what you'd expect with arrows for lanes to be in and next turn instructions in the center (speedometer) display.

I agree with the other posters that CarPlay or Android is silly-simple to use, but I love the real estate you get with the 12" display for Uconnect maps. *Car Play and Android only use the top half of the 12"; you can display the radio or environment controls in the bottom.

That said, the other reason to consider a Ram is the interior. It's "Mercedes / BMW" like inside. The rest of the truck is very nice too. Go sit in one and you'll see what I mean.

To gypsydad's point - definitely check the driver's door sticker for ACTUAL payload. I was told our Ram 1500's payload was 1840# by the salesperson based on his Ram Configuration Tools - they dealer-traded for the vehicle. A few weeks after we picked it up I discovered it was really 1220#. Had I known that I would have opted for a Ram 2500 gas that's in the 3000# payload range.
Still working with the dealer to get the payload we were sold...

Good luck!

[PecanMan5]

My Rand McNally still working.

[skyguyscott]

You may not be at all surprised to learn that the number one complaint of all new car buyers from all vendors is that #%$&! navigation system.

I could tell you stories about my Nissan Pathfinder navigation system, but suffice to say, the voice activated part is soooooo bad, it is worthless to use in actual practice. Nissan should be publicly shamed for putting out such a system. And they want $150 every year to update the maps! Talk about out of touch...

I agree the iPhone is the gold standard; no car maker has come close to matching. Just give me CarPlay and I'd be happy. I do think FCA's Uconnect is the best of class, but CarPlay is much better. There is also the issue of hackers successfully hacking integrated Navsystems and causing havoc in the car's systems (applying brakes, in one case!) So there's that to consider...

[donrogers]

I spend a lot of time driving various vehicles, driving for Uber, pulling our Airstream and driving our personal vehicle. I not found any factory GPS that I like, even the newest, so I always come back to Google maps. Apple CarPlay makes it easy today.

[crispyboy]

I bought a Magellan Rv9490t 2 months ago - Oh the regrets I have....... Dumb thing likes to freeze up. On my last trip it wouldn't power back up. Two days later it started to work again.

[Atwebs]

We have a 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 and it has good navigation, maps seem up to date. However, we often use the OnStar rather than the maps to do our navigation. Just call, they talk to you and then send the map directly to your system. And, if they make a mistake (say sending you up the Moki dugway with your trailer) you can ask for a different route! Our old Silverado didn't even have the Nav system...just OnStar, so we didn't have a choice.

We like that service on our tow vehicle and while it took a bit to learn to use it (Hey, I'd rather do it myself!) they have been a Godsend in emergencies and really helped getting us out of places that made no sense by the maps we had.

[JonDNC]

Cheapest solution is to just use your phone on a mount. Your current vehicle won’t support Apple CarPlay or the android equivalent.

Next option is trade out the current radio head for one that will, but you might give up some integrated functionality depending on the truck.

Third is get a new one, Ford/GM/Ram all have plus’s and minuses. Payload, interior, electronics. Pick your poison.

I just switched from a 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 to a Ford F-350. Navigation looks similar but I am told the ford gives me free updates GM did not but didn’t care cause used CarPlay

[CWSWine]

I would like to make the comment about WAZE and does work with Apple Play just like Google maps does and displays in place of the onboard Nav system. I really like the warning of something on the road like those big hunks of tire left by 18 wheelers. Gives you the heads up and watch out from them. Also real-time reporting on slow traffic and of coarse speed traps.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by JonDNC

Cheapest solution is to just use your phone on a mount. Your current vehicle won’t support Apple CarPlay or the android equivalent.

Next option is trade out the current radio head for one that will, but you might give up some integrated functionality depending on the truck.

Third is get a new one, Ford/GM/Ram all have plus’s and minuses. Payload, interior, electronics. Pick your poison.

I just switched from a 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 to a Ford F-350. Navigation looks similar but I am told the ford gives me free updates GM did not but didn’t care cause used CarPlay

The OP says he has a 2017 F150 with nav... that means Sync3. 2017s with Sync3 have Android Auto and I believe they have Carplay but I don't have an iPhone so can't swear to that. Swapping out an integrated Sync3 system for some aftermarket thing would be a major undertaking.

Your Ford DEALER may give you free map updates for your F350, but I'd put my money on "salesman will tell you anything to get that check." TANSTAAFL. Ford corporate ain't giving away the maps updates.

[jimfa440]

I have a Nissan Titan XD with nav. Yes you have to purchase updates. Garmin has an RV specific 7" screen gps with route planner and available rear view camera. They give lifetime map updates....GIVE, no charge. I'm thinking about this.

[Anders79]

I have a RAM 2500 with Nav and a later Jeep grand cherokee and decidede against Nav. I decided to skip automotive-based navigation finally and just use my cell phone and google maps. I find the "routing function" (not so much the map) on automotive somewhat hookey and leading you astray at times. I will sometimes on a long trip also put my destination in the RAM so i get turns on the main dash (unless it conflicts with google); but have deactivated any voice commands. So in summary - Advise not to change based on just desire for better Nav (but i do love my RAM).

[Lost4]

I was in the same boat, however the map updates are really expensive so I bought a Garmin RV770 with free updates and it is designed for the rv world.Take a look at web site.

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Interesting perspectives. I have always bought cars with the NAV systems and have been thoroughly bothered by the cost and infrequency of updates. In my Volvo it takes hours for the update from a thumb drive, so I just stopped updating. There are only a couple of services in the country or world doing the map database and updates so no real options. But, I do like the simplicity of integrated navigation.
I suspect that many people today use their phones and Google maps, but I am a holdout on unlimited data service, I refuse to do it.
As long as I have owned trucks, I am content to put my Garmin on the dash. They do FREE updates at least quarterly, which is the business model I choose to support. I also like the RV features, including elevation profiles, in my Garmin RV.
Larry

I too like the GPS Nav devices....I have several in different vehicles.....But my gf loves WAZE, and so when we are Airsteamng, I am driving, and so she does the navigation, and she chooses Waze, so that is what I end up using.....it does some very nice things, like warnings about radar, debris in the road, stopped vehicles, traffic backups, etc.....my GPS Nav devices do not do that, although they do warn me about "camera intersections".....

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by JonDNC

Cheapest solution is to just use your phone on a mount. Your current vehicle won’t support Apple CarPlay or the android equivalent.

Next option is trade out the current radio head for one that will, but you might give up some integrated functionality depending on the truck.

Third is get a new one, Ford/GM/Ram all have plus’s and minuses. Payload, interior, electronics. Pick your poison.

I just switched from a 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 to a Ford F-350. Navigation looks similar but I am told the ford gives me free updates GM did not but didn’t care cause used CarPlay

Hey JonDnc,
Would you care to elaborate on your criteria for switching to an F-350, and what you like/dislike after the switch?

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by donrogers

I spend a lot of time driving various vehicles, driving for Uber, pulling our Airstream and driving our personal vehicle. I not found any factory GPS that I like, even the newest, so I always come back to Google maps. Apple CarPlay makes it easy today.

Originally Posted by jimfa440

I have a Nissan Titan XD with nav. Yes you have to purchase updates. Garmin has an RV specific 7" screen gps with route planner and available rear view camera. They give lifetime map updates....GIVE, no charge. I'm thinking about this.

Y'all might look into these "free lifetime" updates.....I've been told by several people who bought new GPS units, that "Lifetime" is only 3 years.....depending on one's age, that may be adequate, or maybe a bit optimistic.....

For whatever it's worth

Larry

[JonDNC]

Originally Posted by mkcurtiss

Hey JonDnc,

Would you care to elaborate on your criteria for switching to an F-350, and what you like/dislike after the switch?

Made the switch for capacity nothing to do with GMC vs Ford. We were up against/just over load capacity on the 1/2 ton with generators etc in the bed. So decided to error on the side of safety. Chose the Ford due to availability as the 2020 GMCs not in dealers yet and 2019s didn’t have the features we wanted with regard to cameras etc.

Did not look at RAM cause I just don’t like the way they look.

[Rpatrick16]

In all due respect...it sounds to me like you've got a bad case of the "new truck bug" and you're trying to come for a justification to buy a new truck. Rather, than go thru all this "mental excercise" that really doesn't solve any one question. If you got the money....then just go and buy what you want. I've got a 2017 F150 Lariat with 55 thousand miles. It looks great yet from time to time the GPS has a little hiccup. Rather than use that a reason to trade it would be a lot cheaper to replace the GPS with an RV Specific GPS. Just saying...don't mean any offense.