Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ram 1500 2014-2017 opinions

I did have some bad luck with two sets of tires, but that was just the tires and not the truck. I regret going back to a Chevy Silverado, I miss the get up adn go of the Hemi. I made a trip from Arkansas to Charleston, SC the week I bought it in July 2011, I got 21 mpg from AL to SC, and 19 mpg from AR to AL. I have made a few long trips with it in Alaska since we moved there and got 21 mpg on a couple of them. My son does not have such luck, he likes to get speeding tickets instead. Got two in two months this summer in it.

Yeah, I talked to a couple of guys that were GS's in the office with us that had the Ram w/Hemis when I was still AD Air Force, and they all said to wait until around 100K as well to change the plugs and coils out in them. I think one got to 98K, before he did his and he was happy. I had a friend that had the non-hemi, and he changed his out at the 30K intervals, as he claims the dealer told him it would void his warranty if he didn't.

Yep, I totally forgot about the manifold bolts as mine were replaced around 58K if I remember correctly. Lithia Dodge in Anchorage told me it's a known issue and Dodge refuses to change the bolts or whatever needs to be done to repair it. I'm pretty sure my son's truck needs replacing again, but I told him he's paying for it to be done this go around.

I would pass on any truck with the 3.21 gears. Not enough mileage improvement for the loss of torque.

Well I'm still looking. Lots out there but no real deals on a low mileage used one coming up. The more I look at them the more I like the Big Horn package. Might as well get all the bells and whistles if you're gonna pay. I keep seeing a few eco diesels popping up, some not th st far out of budget. Any thoughts on long term reliability and value on them vs the Hemi? I'm sure they would retain value better and would get better hwy and towing mileage.

Most of what I'm seeing is around 28k before actually visiting the dealerships to talk hard numbers. Eco diesels start around 30. Trucks are just too damn expensive these days.

I think the 8 speed trans makes this a non issue. Just select 1 gear lower and it's virtually the same final drive ratios as the .392's
The 1st gear ratio is still lower than the old 6 speed with the higher gears.

We have 2 2015 ram 1500 quad cabs with the hemi engines in them. I'm currently at 27,000 miles, and the wife's truck is only at 17,000 miles ( it pays to live really close to work and lead extremely boring lives. We both love them and wouldn't change a thing.
I just pulled my friends 20 ft 1972 camp trailer (5500# )to Orofino and back for a steelhead/whitetail trip and we pulled whitebird hill at 55 MPH, I could have been going faster but I was quite happy keeping it at or above 3 miles per gallon on the ascent.
Just before we left I asked my buddy if the trailer brakes worked and he said he was told they did when he bought it. I reached down and tried the brakes and nothing nada zip.......I was quite worried about the downhill portions until Midvale hill, I just locked out everything higher than 5th gear, and the engine braking did almost all of the work. At one point I was slightly exceeding 60mph and used the brakes, but I could've done without,as I was nearly to the bottom by then.
The 8 speed trans makes all the difference in the world, I'd definitely look for one with it.And both of our trucks are bighorn packages. We have the heated seats, and steering wheel as well, it's great on the lower back after a lifetime of being a young stupid guy that thought he was invincible.

They sure are expensive once you start adding equipment. I bought my '17 Ram 1500 in the tradesman package new with a few extras in '17 for 24K. It has the V6 but it pulls my 3500 pound boat like it's not there. I would have gone for a V8, but that's when the price really starts shooting up and I just didn't need it. On a trip from NOLA to Colorado this summer I got 26.1 MPG for the 1300 mile trip. MPG seems to drop off rapidly once above 70. Even going into a light headwind at 70 it starts dropping off. That probably has to do with the truck's aero, and you'll probably see that with the Hemi as well. Even in Tradesman trim, this truck is the quietest truck I have ever had. Consumer Reports calls it "luxury car quiet." The ride is also very compliant for a truck due to the coil spring suspension. It takes away a bit from the towing capacity, but that's a non-issue for you. At this point I like this truck better than any other truck I have owned. I thought the V6 would leave me a bit disappointed with power, but if you rode in it, you wouldn't know it had a 6 unless I told you.

My Dodge has been a good vehicle!

So the question at this point is it worth a little more to get the eco diesel with more miles or stick with the Hemi and lower miles?

That is good to know. 3500 lbs is way more than I would tow so I'll keep that info filed away in case I ever look at the Rams.

Had a 2015 1500 eco diesel. Good for mileage but not made for towing. Towing a 21’ Crownline 215ss it would struggle very bad, and mileage would be around 15. Same with a feather lite 2 horse slant. The injectors were replaced at 43 k and the egr cooler twice before 51k. Truck went down the road for a 16 3/4 ton Highcountry w the DMax. This being the wife’s truck, I drive a 3500 Ram SRW with the 6.7 Cummins. To me the 1500 felt like a grocery getter more than a truck.