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Old 06-28-2022, 11:50 AM   #1
RCMP03
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Truck review / recommendations

Ok, I know the answers will be subjective but I am looking for some direction here.

We have a 2021 Montana 3120 which replace a Montana of similar size. We have been driving Ram trucks since 2006 without many issues other than the number of recalls. We recently purchased a Ram 3500 fully loaded. After 1500 miles, it looks like we will need to replace the vehicle (lemon law) having major electrical issues not identified.

Is there a perfect brand of truck out there for us?
 
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Old 06-28-2022, 01:51 PM   #2
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Sue and Harv,

GM, Ford and Chrysler all make decent heavy duty trucks that will do the job but all have issues every once in awhile. None are perfect and none are all trouble. It mostly comes down to personal preference.
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Old 06-28-2022, 02:08 PM   #3
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I sorta agree with the above statement. They are all great trucks. Test drive all of them look at the specs and choose the one that you like the best. Everybody likes and needs something different. Don’t make the mistake of letting someone tell you which to buy.
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Old 06-28-2022, 05:43 PM   #4
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Are you looking at dualies? I really like towing with a dually more than my SRW previous trucks.
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Old 06-28-2022, 06:03 PM   #5
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I would say that one was an anomaly. All three make very good trucks. Can’t say any one is any better than the others. We all have our preferences. But one case like that can really turn a person against that brand and make you hesitant to buy another.
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Old 06-28-2022, 06:45 PM   #6
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I would say the same as the others, sorry for the issues your having. As said…they all make good trucks that will do the job very well and they all will have and have had there own issues. Is your 3500 a used Ram ? And what year is it.
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Old 06-28-2022, 10:40 PM   #7
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I too have a RAM, debated all 3 before ordering mine. It all boiled down to the Cummins. I really wanted that motor. So far (almost 5000 miles) it appears mine is not a candidate for the lemon law...thankfully. I've only pulled our 5th wheel on 2 short shakedown trips but I really like how it handles. Plus I've never had my @@@ wrapped in so much luxury before. Goin to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving this year so will definitely have more of an opinion when I get back home.
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:34 AM   #8
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I've had all three. Ford and GM has better fit and finish and I'm talking long after the initial purchase. The RAM has the ultimate drivetrain with the Aisin transmission. My RAM has 11 recalls and a couple with no fix available and the electrical system is typical Chrysler. There is no clear winner until they put the Cummins into a GM.
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Old 06-29-2022, 07:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
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There is no clear winner until they put the Cummins into a GM.

I always thought we should have had that option, just like the big trucks.
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Old 06-29-2022, 08:26 AM   #10
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I've had all three. Ford and GM has better fit and finish and I'm talking long after the initial purchase. The RAM has the ultimate drivetrain with the Aisin transmission. My RAM has 11 recalls and a couple with no fix available and the electrical system is typical Chrysler. There is no clear winner until they put the Cummins into a GM.
It's funny, I've heard this from others as well, and before 2010 I would whole heartedly agree. (I had RAMs back in the 90s and they were a great drivetrain surrounded by a crappy cab, then went to GMC).
But, I'm now on my 3rd RAM since 2012, and every time I look at the big 3 before buying again... and the reason we bought another RAM was that the fit and finish was the best, by far!
Now, the most mileage I put was about 60,000 on the one truck, but I did not find any issues with fit and finish. To be fair, though, those big doors do need adjusting over time as they can develop wind noise.

My 2013 had a lot of recalls, but my 2016 only had 3 or 4.
My 2020 has a couple recalls so far, but the big one I'm waiting on is the CP4 fuel pump replacement.

So, what fit and finish issues have you had with your RAM? I'm curious because with the new vehicle prices I expect to keep my 2020 longer this time.

Thanks!
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Old 06-29-2022, 08:28 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by RCMP03 View Post
Ok, I know the answers will be subjective but I am looking for some direction here.

We have a 2021 Montana 3120 which replace a Montana of similar size. We have been driving Ram trucks since 2006 without many issues other than the number of recalls. We recently purchased a Ram 3500 fully loaded. After 1500 miles, it looks like we will need to replace the vehicle (lemon law) having major electrical issues not identified.

Is there a perfect brand of truck out there for us?
Sorry to hear about your issues, that's crappy. We've had overall good success with our last 3 RAM trucks, but I guess there can be lemons anywhere.

What sort of electrical issues are you having?

Brad
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Old 06-29-2022, 08:35 AM   #12
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Not issues, but how they are handled...

So, one comment about RAM that I think will be helpful is how they are handling the issue with the CP4 fuel pump.

Basically, the CP4 is made by Bosch and was to replace the proven CP3 fuel pump. It apparently was done in the interest of reduced emissions and potential economy gains, but the pump design means it will self destruct if you run low on fuel or if any contaminants make it past the fuel filters. When it self destructs, it spews metal into the top of the engine and repairs apparently can be north of $20k.

The CP4 was used by Toyota and it took a class action suit for them to issue recalls.
The CP4 was used by Ford and GM and AFAIK no recalls have been issued.
The CP4 was used in 2019 and 2020 RAM Cummins models. RAM now has a voluntary recall program to replace ALL of the CP4 pumps that were installed. They are the only one to have a full, voluntary recall.

Every manufacturer can have issues, but how it is dealt with means a lot.
For me, personally, that adds some weight to choosing the RAM brand.

Brad
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Old 06-29-2022, 08:48 AM   #13
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As stated, all three make good trucks. My perfect truck would be a Ford Frame/Suspension with a Cummins Diesel and an Allison transmission.
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Old 06-29-2022, 09:13 AM   #14
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agree with others, they are all capable of doing the job
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Old 06-29-2022, 11:30 AM   #15
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So, what fit and finish issues have you had with your RAM? I'm curious because with the new vehicle prices I expect to keep my 2020 longer this time.

Thanks!
Brad[/QUOTE]

The first thing I noticed is the plastic trim inside. It just doesn't seem as durable as as other models. Specifically, it seems to scratch easier like it is of a low density material. Then the outside rubber seals around windows. They shrink to the point of being ineffective. The plastics also seem to sun fade prematurely. Then the electronics can be quirky. The truck at will be dead as a door nail until it feels like waking up. The gauges flintch at times. I have a Jeep and it has the same issues. I figure it is a Chrysler thing.
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Old 06-29-2022, 11:40 AM   #16
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Driving around Central Texas - my casual unscientific observations are that there is A LOT of Rams and a bunch of Fords - both SRW and DRW.
There are not so many Chevy 3500 DRW.
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Old 06-29-2022, 11:47 AM   #17
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The first thing I noticed is the plastic trim inside. It just doesn't seem as durable as as other models. Specifically, it seems to scratch easier like it is of a low density material. Then the outside rubber seals around windows. They shrink to the point of being ineffective. The plastics also seem to sun fade prematurely. Then the electronics can be quirky. The truck at will be dead as a door nail until it feels like waking up. The gauges flintch at times. I have a Jeep and it has the same issues. I figure it is a Chrysler thing.
Wow, that doesn't sound good at all!
I wonder if it's something on the lower end models? The last ones I've had were Longhorn and Limited trim. I've never had any issues as you've described. There is very little plastic on the LH and LTD; they use real wood, use the nicest leather of any truck and look like a luxury car. All of the trim has worn very well and looked like new when I traded them in. Ford and GM are full of plastic by comparison, even on the Platinum and Denali trim levels.

I've also not had any rattles, until just the past couple of weeks on this latest truck. The others were just as solid as new after 3-4 years and 50000+ miles.

What model level are you having issues with?

Brad
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Old 06-29-2022, 01:32 PM   #18
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A lot of comments but no response, anyways….I’ve be purchasing Chrysler product since 2003 and really haven’t had much issues with them. Never have had any electrical issues but other stupid stuff. Yeah the decision to use the CP4 was not the wises ever made, but isn’t ford and Chevy using a CP4.2.
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Old 06-29-2022, 01:39 PM   #19
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GM not anymore, don't know about Ferd.
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Old 06-29-2022, 02:25 PM   #20
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A lot of comments but no response, anyways….I’ve be purchasing Chrysler product since 2003 and really haven’t had much issues with them. Never have had any electrical issues but other stupid stuff. Yeah the decision to use the CP4 was not the wises ever made, but isn’t ford and Chevy using a CP4.2.
Yes, I think both Ford and GM now use a modified CP4 pump, so thanks for clarifying.
But, both did have issues when they originally came out with the CP4 pump and AFIAK neither did a broad voluntary recall; only RAM did.

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