RAM trucks have always been a symbol of ruggedness and durability. There’s a huge chance you’ve seen an actor riding one of these bad boys on a long road in the desert in a movie. This testifies to the success and appeal of the truck since its release. So, it’s not surprising you’re looking for how to land yourself a RAM truck.
However, despite its seeming durability, all is not well in the RAM paradise. This truck has been known for some peculiar issues over its various generations. These issues have seen other trucks like the Ford F-series and Chevrolet Silverado become favorites over the RAM truck.
Nonetheless, the RAM truck remains one of the best trucks on the market and would provide good value for your money. The previous statement would hold true if you make sure you land a good buy; and, that is the whole purpose of this piece. We’ll guide you through the common problems experienced with the RAM trucks and the best tips for buying used trucks. So put your seatbelts on as we take you on this ride.
The Dodge and The RAM: Two Different Companies?
If you’re going to purchase a car, you should at least know some history about the vehicle before buying it. One important piece of history to know is that the RAM truck line is now a separate piece of the company from the Dodge car line. While earlier iterations of the truck used to be known as the Dodge RAM, the companies split so that the two could be known for their various vehicles.
The RAM became a name associated with just trucks, while Dodge became a household name for sporty cars. And there you have it on today’s episode of car history!
Factors to Look Out For When Picking A RAM Truck
As you’ve seen from the various reasons above, buying a RAM truck is an exercise you need to be careful with. However, if you want to land a good buy, here are a few tips to work with:
Check the VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is essential when buying any vehicle, not just a RAM truck. You might wonder how. This is because the VIN gives you all the information you need to know about a car. It tells you about the car model, where it was made, its original engine specifications, and so on. You could then crosscheck this number with the parts in the car at the point of purchase. This helps you determine if the car hasn’t undergone some major overhaul just to sell it off.
However, this VIN is a code, and you need to decode it before you can access the full information it provides. Therefore, before you get to decoding it, you need to find it first. You can find the various locations of a RAM truck’s VIN listed below:
- It is usually on the door pillar of the driver’s side front door. The manufacturers usually engrave the VIN below the barcode on the door pillar.
- You can also find the code on the passenger side frame rail. It is usually engraved into the frame or printed on a plastic plate attached to the frame.
- You can also find it underneath the car hood on the passenger side of the engine area, or top of the firewall.
After finding the code, the next step is to decode it. You can check out the information on a RAM truck’s VIN at EpicVin.
Have a Budget Set Aside for Service and Insurance
Irrespective of the state of the truck, you should have a budget set aside for the truck’s servicing. This would help protect you against foreseeable problems after purchasing the truck. Also, try to invest in good car insurance. For a truck that might have some hidden issues, insurance could be crucial in helping you in case any car trouble comes up.
Common Problems Associated with the RAM Truck
As mentioned earlier, the RAM truck line has been one that has been plagued with various problems over the years. Some of the common problems commonly experienced among users include:
Cracked Dashboard
Interior aesthetics is an essential part of the car, and having a cracked dashboard doesn’t exactly beautify any vehicle. RAM truck users have commonly complained of cracked dashboards with the car due to the use of substandard plastics for the dashboard. This problem is common among RAM truck users in hot environments due to the constant expansion and shrinking of plastic.
Transmission Problems
This issue has plagued RAM trucks for generations. It was prevalent in second-generation RAM trucks produced between 2000 and 2004. It was also prevalent in 2014 models, with transmission complaints peaking. It was usually symptomized by sticky gears or jerky movement.
Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM)
The TIPM is the communications network of the RAM truck. It helps communicate whatever command you give to the car, for example, turning on the wipers. When this module malfunctions, it could cause problems like the headlights coming on and off and the wiper malfunctioning. The cause of this problem could be due to a faulty connection, impurities getting into the module, and so on.
Depreciation
Another problem common with RAM trucks is the problem of depreciation. In a recent study based on truck depreciation, The RAM 1500 was ranked second with a depreciation rate of 37.4% in three years.
However, this depreciation could either be bad or good for anyone looking to buy a RAM truck. If you’re looking to buy a newly released RAM truck, this depreciation means the price would be about 40% less within 3 years. However, if you want to resell, this could also mean losing a huge chunk of the cash you paid.
Conclusion
A RAM truck could be the perfect investment, especially if you’re an ardent camper, carry heavy-duty materials, or frequently use rough terrains. However, you need to make sure you get these used trucks in the best state possible to prevent unbudgeted spending. To ensure this, the tips above would be a big help.