How Long Do Ram Trucks Usually Last?

If you’re reading this article you’re probably hoping to squeeze a few more years out of your Ram truck, or maybe you’re trying to figure out if a Ram truck is the right investment for you. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.

Ram trucks last an average of fifteen years. Drivers can expect their Ram trucks to last two hundred thousand miles. However, properly maintained vehicles can get three hundred thousand miles without difficulty. Time-wise, Ram trucks last between thirteen to seventeen years.

Many different factors affect a vehicle’s lifespan, but they’re not out of your control; there are quite a few ways you can lengthen your Ram truck’s use. Keep reading to learn more about how long Ram trucks last.

The Longevity of a Ram Truck

Ram trucks last 30 to 50 percent longer than the average pickup truck. The average lifespan for a truck is seven to ten years and somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. Meanwhile, the average lifespan of a Ram truck is 13 to 17 years and 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is likely to last you longer than most other Ram trucks. The Dodge Ram 1500 will last over 300,000 miles easily, as long as it is taken care of. After 300,000 miles is when the engine will deteriorate significantly and eventually die.

Considering that most trucks last up to 200,000 miles, and Ram trucks average 200,000 to 300,000 miles, Ram trucks outlast most other vehicle brands.

Two pretty safe bets for years of the Dodge Ram 1500 are the 2017 model and the 2018 model because they have had the least amount of issues and trouble spots reported compared to other years’ models of the Dodge Ram 1500.

Because of how heavy-duty and sustainable they are, the Ram 2500 and the Ram 3500 are the most durable models available. According to Motor Trends, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 are said to last up to a potential one million miles. Of course, keeping this vehicle in working condition for a million miles will require careful maintenance.

It is surprising to hear about a heavy-duty truck like the Ram 2500 or 3500 lasting this long because of how their owners use them. In general, owners of a Ram 2500 or 3500 use their vehicles recklessly. They definitely can take it, but using a truck like this more heedlessly than you would another truck could be a reason we rarely see cars hit that high of a mile mark.

While Ram trucks are reliable, they are not immune to problems. Ram trucks usually begin having issues either before or right at 100,000 miles. At this point, Ram trucks tend to maintain said problems throughout their life.

The biggest area for concern with a Ram truck is a failing transmission. When a car’s transmission begins to fail, you’ll likely experience some kind of shaking or vibrating of the steering wheel, and trouble handling your car. It is impossible to shift with a failing transmission.

Besides all of this, there are also reports of cars not being able to start, and other minor issues as well. That said, every make and model of a car has its issues; there’s no getting around that; however, with proper maintenance, your RAM truck can run perfectly for many years.

The 2002 and the 2014 Ram trucks have the most reported complaints and issues above basically all other model years. For the Dodge Ram 1500 specifically, basically, avoid any model between the years 2010 and 2016. One reason is that these years’ models for the Dodge Ram 1500 were found to have generally weak engines.

How to Make a Ram Truck Last Longer

Mechanical adjustments will extend the life of your Ram truck more than anything else. Experts recommend changing the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.

One of the most important things you can do to help protect your Ram truck is to keep it in a garage. In general, cars kept in a garage last longer than cars not protected from the elements. Cars kept in a garage aren’t subjected to weather damage, such as hail, snow, intense heat, etc.

Extreme weather conditions affect more than just the paint and cosmetic value, they can also decrease the vehicle’s durability.

Are Ram Trucks a Good Investment?

Getting a Ram truck depends on what you want it for. If you’re wanting a Ram because it looks cool, any other car would be a better use of money, purely due to a Ram truck’s gas mileage and octane requirement. However, if you’re dead set on a truck, a Ram isn’t a bad option and is better than some other trucks for sure. Ram trucks are extremely durable and some models can tow as much as 14,000 pounds.

These are excellent work vehicles and some are even known for luxury vehicles. In fact, the 2020 Ram 1500 received the Luxury Car of the Year Award. Ram 3500s are also known for their leather-clad, luxurious interiors. Ram vehicles pack so much luxury, some cost more than $90,000.

Ram trucks do not have very good gas mileage. An average truck will get about 25 miles to the gallon in the city and 31 miles to the gallon on the freeway, for a combined gas mileage of 28 miles to the gallon. Ram trucks get about 15 miles to the gallon in the city and around 20 to 22 miles to the gallon on the freeway, for a combined gas mileage of 18 miles to the gallon. That’s a pretty low gas mileage.

While low gas mileage is expected from a heavy-duty truck, combine the price of gas with the initial purchase price of the Ram, a person could go bankrupt over that.

Another factor to note is that, while an average motor vehicle is designed to run on 87 octane gasoline, Ram trucks require 89 octane gasoline. While the difference isn’t tremendous, the difference between 87 and 89 octane gasoline is usually about 40 to 50 cents a gallon, which adds up.