So I am starting to look for a new to me truck and can’t believe the prices for used trucks these days. I really want a crew cab long bed so I am looking at 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. This will probably be my daily driver but not a lot of miles put n it each year. My question is if I get a truck with 80-100,000 miles on it will it start having issues that will have to keep being fixed or will I need a transmission in 20,000 miles. I will be picky in what I buy but what have others experienced. I live in an area where any real old trucks are either rusty like my current truck. I don’t want to buy a money pit.

I traded in my 09 F350 cc drw in 17 with 62,000 with all service done by Ford dealerships. Reason was I was at wt capacity and our new 5er weighted more dry than what our previous weighted fully loaded. Not every used vehicle has been abused.

Don't buy a 2019 or newer Ram (new or used). The trucks are substandard at zero miles and the only way to expose the problems is by driving them. They can pull heavy trailers, have great exhaust brakes, and are quiet on the highway when towing. But, the rest of the truck has too many problems. Unfortunately, the typical long time dodge/fiat/ram owner only cares if the truck can pull a heavy trailer. So, the manufacture produces a substandard truck knowing they can get away with it.

I would take a trip to Texas to buy a used truck then you will not have to deal with rust.

Last 3 trucks I've bought have been well north of 100k miles. Sold the first two at north of 200k with the drivetrain still humming along fine. Current one is at around 210k.The first two got sold because of rusting bodies.

Contrary to what Devo the dog sez , I have 207,000 miles on my 2014 Ram 2500 CTD and have not spent a dime on repairs , couple sets of tires and wiper blades .Daily driver plus three or four trailer trips a year-that each last 10 to 20 days .

How dependable are newer trucks with higher mileage?

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 28, 2021
Devo the dog wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.

Only problem mentioned was a heater. Nice to get some real examples

Maybe I don't post the problems because I don't care enough to spew the information on the internet. An Internet forum doesn't fix problems that the dealer can't fix because the manufacture doesn't have a fix, which makes a warranty useless.

But, if you want a list:
1. Transmission issues: bucks when pulling a load up a hill. It's next to impossible to document. Initially, it only happened 4 times during a 10 day trip across 5 states and back. Now, it happens frequently but only pulling a heavy load up a hill.
2. AC will not turn on if the outside temperature is too low. For example, if I'm getting baked in the sun driving into it, and it's 68 degrees outside, I cannot turn on the AC because it will not turn on no matter what I do. Documented.
3. Heater has the same issues but it's very random. It could be 25 degrees outside and we could have the heater on high. 15 miles later, it's still blowing cold air.
4. The truck pops whenever the front suspension nears full droop.
5. The first recall (emissions recall, which was required for registration) took two dealer visits to get done.
6. 2nd recall isn't done yet (bed step replacement). Will the 2nd dealer visit fix it? Won't know until I setup another appointment weeks in advance, take it to them, and leave it for ____ days until I hear something.
7. Radio randomly turns off. Have lots of photos of it off, restarting, etc. Not fixed yet.
8. Rust is starting to show thru the paint.

Satisfied?

A truck is more than a stupid cummins engine.

Sounds like you should trade it in on a Ford or GM. IMHO the CUMMINS is not "Stupid". ;)
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 28, 2021
I understand how a truck can be more or less great but have an annoying issue
I have a 2019 Duramax. The low coolant indicator light come on however the truck is not low on coolant. The dealer has had it 3 times and no fix. I can dismiss the warning with the push of a button however it still annoying.
Now do I go into the dealer and escalate the issue and demand a fix or due I quietly deal with this annoying issue.
For the record my dealer and GM are aware of the problem it is not an isolated issue to just my truck.
On a much smaller scale because I have just one issue I understand where "Devo the Dog" is coming from. If there are TSB on all the items as he states Ram/Dodge are really letting him down.
By the way why would a large company like Dodge change the name/branding unless they are seeking a fresh start or want to avoid there past association with the Dodge brand? Can you imagine Ford Rebranding F-series or Chevy rebranding Silverado?
Devo_the_dog
Explorer
Feb 28, 2021
Huntindog wrote:

I would have given the F450 a real hard look.... But it has a CP4.

I've considered trading in the Ram for a Ford. The CP4 issue is the same whether I own a Ford or a Peugeot. And, I don't have a CP4 problem, only other problems.

But to get the same or better, turning radius, I'd have to get the F450, the ugly DRW fenders, etc.

So, I'll wait. Maybe by 2022 or 2023, Ram will be able to fix the current problems. LOL. Or maybe Ford will make a few changes.
Devo_the_dog
Explorer
Feb 28, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.

Only problem mentioned was a heater. Nice to get some real examples

Maybe I don't post the problems because I don't care enough to spew the information on the internet. An Internet forum doesn't fix problems that the dealer can't fix because the manufacture doesn't have a fix, which makes a warranty useless.

But, if you want a list:
1. Transmission issues: bucks when pulling a load up a hill. It's next to impossible to document. Initially, it only happened 4 times during a 10 day trip across 5 states and back. Now, it happens frequently but only pulling a heavy load up a hill.
2. AC will not turn on if the outside temperature is too low. For example, if I'm getting baked in the sun driving into it, and it's 68 degrees outside, I cannot turn on the AC because it will not turn on no matter what I do. Documented.
3. Heater has the same issues but it's very random. It could be 25 degrees outside and we could have the heater on high. 15 miles later, it's still blowing cold air.
4. The truck pops whenever the front suspension nears full droop.
5. The first recall (emissions recall, which was required for registration) took two dealer visits to get done.
6. 2nd recall isn't done yet (bed step replacement). Will the 2nd dealer visit fix it? Won't know until I setup another appointment weeks in advance, take it to them, and leave it for ____ days until I hear something.
7. Radio randomly turns off. Have lots of photos of it off, restarting, etc. Not fixed yet.
8. Rust is starting to show thru the paint.
9. Surge. I never had it and ignored the others complaints. Then out of the blue, it started happening and is so bad, passengers feel it, and ask.

Satisfied?

A truck is more than a stupid cummins engine.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Devo the dog wrote:
Don't buy a 2019 or newer Ram (new or used). The trucks are substandard at zero miles and the only way to expose the problems is by driving them. They can pull heavy trailers, have great exhaust brakes, and are quiet on the highway when towing. But, the rest of the truck has too many problems. Unfortunately, the typical long time dodge/fiat/ram owner only cares if the truck can pull a heavy trailer. So, the manufacture produces a substandard truck knowing they can get away with it.

Maybe you can elaborate. ONLY issue and it's rare is they went to the CP4 injection pump for 2019 and 2020. The 2021 RAM's now have gone back to the CP3 pump.

For those with the 19 and 20's you have a 5 year 100k powertrain. IF something happens it WILL be taken care of.

So please tell us about all these "substandard" issues.
Ram at least had the sense to move away from the CP4 quickly. Though the one in my 2011 GM never caused me any trouble... I became well aware of the potential and when it was new truck time last year, GM was the only one not using the CP4. So I got another GM. Had Ram been the only one not using it, I would have bought a Ram. My reasoning is simple.... Every motor will eventually need a fuel pump. One where that cost is in the 5 figures is ridiculous.

I would have given the F450 a real hard look.... But it has a CP4.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2021
FishOnOne wrote:
Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.

Only problem mentioned was a heater. Nice to get some real examples
FishOnOne
Nomad
Feb 27, 2021
Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.
Devo_the_dog
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
MFL wrote:
Other than maybe the need for a DEEPER pocket, I would wonder why DEVO did not purchase a 2019 SuperDuty? Maybe I missed the reason?

Jerry

Simple reasons. The dodge fan-boys talk up the cummins and I when I decided buy a new truck, I thought I'd check out the Rams. This was when the 2018's were out and the production of the 2019's was still unknown.

I was disappointed in the 2018's for two reasons. For starters, I was shocked that you couldn't buy a 3500 Ram with a comfortable passenger seat. Even though you could get 10 way power on the driver, 6 way power was the best for the passenger seat. I thought that was bizarre considering almost every car and truck we had owned for 18 years prior had a comfortable passenger seat. So, that was a deal breaker. The other reason was that the dealers were just plain stupid. I've dealt with a lot of dealers but never stupid dealers, at this level of stupidity.

So, I put it off. Fast forward 1 1/2 years. 2019's were out. I still thought the Rams looked better than the Fords and the GM's. In my opinion, the new shape of the DRW fenders on the Ford are ugly. And, the Ford has a small screen on the interior.
For the most part, the specs on the Ford and Ram were almost identical. There's just a few minor differences. At the time, the Ram had better pricing and a better warranty.
So, I ordered one the way I wanted it. I got a great price too. I sold my XJR and kept the F350. My wife loves the F350, hated the seats in the XJR, and the F350 has been bulletproof. It's a great truck so I figured I could use it as a work truck (dump runs, hauling stuff in the bed, etc) and keep the Ram clean, my daily driver, and on trips towing our trailer.
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems. For example, it would be nice if the heater turned on when you turned it on. And the list goes, on. Plus, it would be nice if the dealer did something if you took the truck in for a recall and fixing other stuff. But for some reason, Ram dealerships are full of idiots. I think it's just because they set their standard so low and consequently, they think they're high achievers. But, they're too stupid to know how stupid they are. LOL.

So, that's the story.

BTW, I have no idea what a deeper pocket has to do with the discussion. Obviously, it's an issue for you because you mentioned it and capitalized DEEPER.
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 06, 2021
I was concerned about the Dodge/Ram wrapper around my first Dodge Ram, it was a better truck than my last two Fords, the current is still nice.

The only conclusion I can get from all of this is buy a Chevy!:B
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2021
Devo the dog wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Let me use one of the engineering and manufacturing problems as an example:

The AC.

There is a TSB to replace the AC unit because the Peugeot was too stupid to copy the design of every other auto manufacture that exists on the planet.

The fix is to remove the dashboard, which means remove the trim, to replace the entire AC unit.

Why? Ram didn't include a diverter valve on the heater hose inlet.

Seriously? Even my wife understand how stupid this is.

So, if you do a simple Ram Forum search, the easiest way for a 2019 Ram owner to improve the AC performance to install a shut off valve on the heater hose inlet. If you shut off hot water to the heater core, it'll improve the AC performance, which is why EVERY other manufacture on the planet has been doing this for 20+ years. Ram didn't. LOL.
So, they now have a TSB to replace the AC unit behind the dash.

Whoops.

Why didn't Ram just copy what every other Manufacture has done for decades by Including a diverter valve that shuts off hot water to the heater core when you want Max AC?

Because too many owners will accept it, and defend it.

Interesting Dodge/Ram hasn’t had a coolant diverter valve for a long time. They direct the air away from the heater core and to the A/C core, I personally see nothing wrong with that design. The coolant valves are trouble prone, so good reason to not use them. I was concerned about the Dodge/Ram wrapper around my first Dodge Ram, it was a better truck than my last two Fords, the current is still nice.