Forum Discussion
72 Replies
- I just laugh at the "drives like a semi", as I drove one for three years. Skipped gears in the 13 speed empty, both going up and down through the gears. Used the clutch to get started, then shifted without it. Guess what, it drove like a semi!
- ^ Interesting. Maybe that’s why Ram is still only running the 6 cog slush boxes. Changing vendors potentially.
Regarding GM def system , I agree, the low slung tank and under hood fill can and should have been corrected long ago.
As far as worrying about spilling on the paint? It’s not battery acid or brake fluid. It’s like cat pee and won’t eat the paint if you have a dribbler. - I daily drive my AISIN 10k DRW with none of the issues mentioned.
Grit dog wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Based on what they said if they dump the AISIN it will be for a REAL MediumDuty Allison 9 speed. NOT “Branded”.
Who’s they?
I don’t keep up too much but you heard Ram is leaning towards Alli not ZF?
Andre and his sidekick. TFL scoop.Me Again wrote:
2001400ex wrote:
NJRVer wrote:
2001400ex wrote:
Super slow 0-60.
You obviously don't have a 4:10 behind it.
In this test it was 3:42. Other tests I've seen are similar. Regardless of gear ratio, everyone says it drives like a semi unloaded. But drives great loaded.
https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/07/whats-the-best-one-ton-heavy-duty-truck-for-2018.html
So you had the same feeling when you test drove one?
And when you bought the GM product you were ok with:
The Bad
Insufficient information: While the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 provides some information to the driver about what the truck is doing, it falls well short of the Ford and Ram in giving complete info. For instance, the diesel exhaust fluid gauge has only two readings: "enough" and "refill now." You can't see what gear you're in when in Drive; you must shift the transmission into Manual to see the gear in use displayed on the information screen.
Awkward cabin layout: We've complained before about the offset position of the steering wheel and it's still a problem, one that we hope will be addressed when the next generation of heavy-duty Chevrolet trucks arrive in the next year or two.
Mediocre cameras: The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 lacks a bed camera, and there's no way to activate the rearview camera while you're going forward as you can in the others. Our top-of-the-line vehicle was not equipped with the aftermarket extra side cameras (which activate when using your blinkers), but we're not sure that would have compared well anyway with either of the other systems.
Diesel exhaust fluid mess: We dislike just about everything regarding the DEF system on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Barnes was unequivocal: "The DEF system needs work on every part — the fill location under the hood is the worst in the industry, the DEF tank's low position is the worst in the industry and the in-dash DEF gauge itself is the worst in the industry." As noted earlier, it has two positions: "enough" and "refill immediately." Not good enough.
Lackluster storage: "There's nowhere to really slip a cellphone that has it accessible and still powered up," Bragman noticed. "Kudos for having lots of USB ports, but then it's odd that there's nowhere to securely put the thing you've just plugged in."
**OH, yours is two model years newer!**
I like my RAM for the reason they listed!
The Good
Comfortable interior: "Everything was easy to reach, the driver's seat was most comfortable for me, and the rear seats were heated and had vents," Barnes said. "It has a bumpin' sound system, too," Bragman added. "That Alpine unit sounds sick!" That's a good thing.
Thoughtful storage solutions: The Ram 3500 had plenty of nooks to store and hide gear. "Hidden storage and under-rear-seat configurations are a nice touch. I especially like the thoughtful lighting under the rear seats," Williams said. Bragman appreciated the functional cellphone or tablet holders in the center console.
Smooth ride: Everyone had big praise for how the Ram 3500 rides, thanks to its rear air suspension in conjunction with the common leaf springs. "Road feel when towing was about as smooth and confident as I've felt in this segment," said Williams. "It has been a while since I've driven a one-ton single-rear-wheel axle with the airbags, but between the leaf springs and bag pressure, this is incredibly well-dialed in."
Towing stability: Of the three trucks, the Ram 3500 felt the most at home towing a heavy trailer. Barnes said the Ram was the "most stable truck while towing; there were no vibrations or other issues, making the Ram the most confident tow vehicle of the three tested." It also handled itself best under panic braking when the trailer brakes were switched off, stopping a stunning 20 feet shorter than the third-place Ford, with perfect poise and control.
Lol I just said the RAM with the Aisin drives like a semi. And is slow off the line unloaded. Both are facts and pretty much every review says the same. Nice rant otherwise. All three pickups are awesome, but that's what kept me out of the RAM as mine is mostly a daily driver.- ^^^Have you seen a 2020 GM? All of your complaints are addressed in the 2020.
But you like your Ram, so by all means it must be the best.
I think most everyone has a truck manufacturer they like best and it is easy to find what is wrong with other trucks when you like the one you drive...
On a side note, I like the location of the DEF in the engine compartment, I can lay a towel down and insure I don't spill it. I would not want to spill DEF on the paint of a vehicle.
I always hear good things about the RAM especially when it comes to comfort. 2001400ex wrote:
NJRVer wrote:
2001400ex wrote:
Super slow 0-60.
You obviously don't have a 4:10 behind it.
In this test it was 3:42. Other tests I've seen are similar. Regardless of gear ratio, everyone says it drives like a semi unloaded. But drives great loaded.
https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/07/whats-the-best-one-ton-heavy-duty-truck-for-2018.html
So you had the same feeling when you test drove one?
And when you bought the GM product you were ok with:
The Bad
Insufficient information: While the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 provides some information to the driver about what the truck is doing, it falls well short of the Ford and Ram in giving complete info. For instance, the diesel exhaust fluid gauge has only two readings: "enough" and "refill now." You can't see what gear you're in when in Drive; you must shift the transmission into Manual to see the gear in use displayed on the information screen.
Awkward cabin layout: We've complained before about the offset position of the steering wheel and it's still a problem, one that we hope will be addressed when the next generation of heavy-duty Chevrolet trucks arrive in the next year or two.
Mediocre cameras: The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 lacks a bed camera, and there's no way to activate the rearview camera while you're going forward as you can in the others. Our top-of-the-line vehicle was not equipped with the aftermarket extra side cameras (which activate when using your blinkers), but we're not sure that would have compared well anyway with either of the other systems.
Diesel exhaust fluid mess: We dislike just about everything regarding the DEF system on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Barnes was unequivocal: "The DEF system needs work on every part — the fill location under the hood is the worst in the industry, the DEF tank's low position is the worst in the industry and the in-dash DEF gauge itself is the worst in the industry." As noted earlier, it has two positions: "enough" and "refill immediately." Not good enough.
Lackluster storage: "There's nowhere to really slip a cellphone that has it accessible and still powered up," Bragman noticed. "Kudos for having lots of USB ports, but then it's odd that there's nowhere to securely put the thing you've just plugged in."
**OH, yours is two model years newer!**
I like my RAM for the reason they listed!
The Good
Comfortable interior: "Everything was easy to reach, the driver's seat was most comfortable for me, and the rear seats were heated and had vents," Barnes said. "It has a bumpin' sound system, too," Bragman added. "That Alpine unit sounds sick!" That's a good thing.
Thoughtful storage solutions: The Ram 3500 had plenty of nooks to store and hide gear. "Hidden storage and under-rear-seat configurations are a nice touch. I especially like the thoughtful lighting under the rear seats," Williams said. Bragman appreciated the functional cellphone or tablet holders in the center console.
Smooth ride: Everyone had big praise for how the Ram 3500 rides, thanks to its rear air suspension in conjunction with the common leaf springs. "Road feel when towing was about as smooth and confident as I've felt in this segment," said Williams. "It has been a while since I've driven a one-ton single-rear-wheel axle with the airbags, but between the leaf springs and bag pressure, this is incredibly well-dialed in."
Towing stability: Of the three trucks, the Ram 3500 felt the most at home towing a heavy trailer. Barnes said the Ram was the "most stable truck while towing; there were no vibrations or other issues, making the Ram the most confident tow vehicle of the three tested." It also handled itself best under panic braking when the trailer brakes were switched off, stopping a stunning 20 feet shorter than the third-place Ford, with perfect poise and control.Cummins12V98 wrote:
Based on what they said if they dump the AISIN it will be for a REAL MediumDuty Allison 9 speed. NOT “Branded”.
Who’s they?
I don’t keep up too much but you heard Ram is leaning towards Alli not ZF?Cummins12V98 wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
ScottG wrote:
They better danged well be considering some kind of upgrade to more gears or the market is going to pass them by.
While I agree that they need to update and get more gears, they did do better than the GM on the Ike.
So with 4 extra gears why didn’t the GM smoke the RAM???
Probably because the GM wasn’t running Amsoil....- Based on what they said if they dump the AISIN it will be for a REAL MediumDuty Allison 9 speed. NOT “Branded”.
