Until you drive the new Ram HD, you have no idea the difference it has compared to any other Ram out there. The new motor married to the 8 speed is such a game changer, you won't be disappointed at all. Life is all about taking chances, you could just as easy have something unexpected happen to your existing Ram. I have a 2025 one of the first off, the line and it now has 27K miles with more than half of that towing heavy loads and has had ZERO issues. We have 2 3500 2025 at work that just turned 63K miles with ZERO issues.
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New 2027 or keep my current 2020?
- Thread starter Farmer 5500
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Farmer 5500
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When you say “the new motor” what do you mean? Do you mean the bump in power?
I have heard conflicting info on whether a new 2027 5500 will have any higher power or tow rating than my 2020.
Although I can always buy a new truck, I’d prefer to buy one with more impressive power or towing, not the same as what I have now.
When it comes to the 5500 the 2025 will have the same as the 2020 if I'm not speaking out of line, with 360 hp and 800 ib ft. all 4500 and 5500 are always de-tuned for longevity reasons. My apologies I didn't read the post fully seeing that you are looking for a 5500. In 2027 I heard that Ram for the consumer pick-up will keep the 6.7 [ same platform as now } and any medium duty commercial vehicles will get the B7.2.
Farmer 5500
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That’s kind of what I suspected.
Therefore, buying a new truck will get me
Same power
Probably same towing specs
Smoother transmission
Same overall capability.
A 10/100 warranty
New truck smell
$1,000 payment for a long time.
Still not ruling it out, but not really enough meat there for me yet. Now if they upped the torque and towing specs, it would be more tempting.
I’d love to see a 1,000 FTlb and 50,000 GCWR.
I don't think they will increase the Cab and Chassis with any more HP or Torque. They do have a much superior towing and hauling capability rather than acceleration. They feature a much more robust beefer frames, stronger brakes and commercial axles. The Cab and Chassie have a much higher, shorter axle ratios compared to pick-ups. My 2019 4500 came with the 74-gallon fuel tank for those long hauls. The pick-ups might feel faster, but the 4500 / 5500 is more powerful for raw towing than any of the pick-ups. It will be a while before they up the HP and Torque on those platforms.
NDanecker
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It’s not just the same HP and torque. The new 8-speed makes it an entirely different drivetrain, even if the power numbers look similar. The torque curve is also different. One video explains the issue with the old 6-speed — you either have to rev high to catch the next gear or lug the engine because dropping another gear would over-rev. My point is the 8-speed adds a lot of value in my opinion. Honestly, it’s the main reason I’m still willing to move forward with the purchase despite the issues some people are having. My 2021 F-450 has been almost flawless with just over 50k miles, so trading it for something that could be a hornet’s nest does concern me — but I think the upgrade may be worth the risk.
Dave01
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I wished I'd extended my warranty, missed the window on it. And on the modern highly electronic vehicles with expensive interior electronics I tend to buy max warranties. Having said that ... that price for 2/24 seems steep. Listening to you describe your finances, I think you can afford any fix anything that happens to occur, so it's not like without the warranty the truck becomes a pile of steel because you can't afford to fix it. I'd pass, that 24k will go by before you know it.
On keeping the truck, I've pretty much decided to keep mine for some years to come. I really like it, have over 90k miles on it. I've owned it 3 1/2 years and generally get the itch to change vehicles but I think this one is different, just a great vehicle and my wife really likes it too. And like what you have described, I'm not seeing what I'd get on a newer one that I don't have now.
Farmer 5500
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I have options. I still have 2,000 miles left on my existing warranty and work is slow this time of year, so that should last me about 3 months.
Right about when the ‘27 order banks open.
Remember the warranty isn’t all lost once I write the check. I can sell or trade the truck in a year without the warranty and get a refund, or sell privately and ask more $ with the warranty or less $ without.
99% sure I won’t keep the truck for more than 2 more years, so the 2 year warranty should be enough. By then, the truck will be 8 years old.
Maybe I’ll be in a 2028?
I read the road test video in NDanekers post. I enjoyed it, but it doesn’t look like Ram took enough of a leap forward to overtake Ford in the power wars.
I’m past my power wars years, so not a big deal to me, but if you’re going to make a change, might as well go big. That was less than exciting video.
Right about when the ‘27 order banks open.
Remember the warranty isn’t all lost once I write the check. I can sell or trade the truck in a year without the warranty and get a refund, or sell privately and ask more $ with the warranty or less $ without.
99% sure I won’t keep the truck for more than 2 more years, so the 2 year warranty should be enough. By then, the truck will be 8 years old.
Maybe I’ll be in a 2028?
I read the road test video in NDanekers post. I enjoyed it, but it doesn’t look like Ram took enough of a leap forward to overtake Ford in the power wars.
I’m past my power wars years, so not a big deal to me, but if you’re going to make a change, might as well go big. That was less than exciting video.
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Farmer 5500
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Just looked up a 2025 F-550 6.7L Powerstroke. They offer the Powerstroke at 330/950 in an F-550.
Ford Powertrain warranty is 5yr/60K. That’s pathetic for a diesel engine.
Ram has much better warranty, but could really use a bump up in torque.
Ford Powertrain warranty is 5yr/60K. That’s pathetic for a diesel engine.
Ram has much better warranty, but could really use a bump up in torque.
Rockcrawlindude
a rock crawlin’ dude
extended warranties are a scam. Save the money and run the old truck. It’s been a good truck? Send it.
Farmer 5500
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My current extended warranty bought with the truck isn’t a scam. It paid claims.
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I have no problem with the HP / Torque the present Ram has compared to the Ford. These trucks manufactures need to worry more about reliability and dependability than having the most power. Ford HD trucks have more Recalls than any other HD truck on the market. The more HP / Torque you add to these trucks the more they seem to become less dependable.
That Ford still uses a CP4 and unless they've sorted it out, the 10-speed is a nightmare.
Since the current truck is paid off, are you not in a position to buy a new one and keep the old as a backup if it's that crucial to your livelihood?
Farmer 5500
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Yes and coupled with a much shorter warranty, I wouldn’t really be interested in Ford. If they extended the warranty, I would look at one.
But I still think Ram was short sighted to bring on a great new transmission, but settle for 2nd or 3rd in towing as the video tests show.
I don’t buy trucks because they have the most HP/TQ, but many truck buyers do. And being 2nd or 3rd won’t help Ram sales at all.
Personally, I could care less about HP wars. I love my Ram and would buy another. My truck only has 800TQ and I bet I tow more than anyone on this board and probably the Ford boards, too. So obviously HP/TQ is not my most important buying feature.
Really don’t need 2 trucks. 2 small trucks would be a luxury, when other things are higher priorities.
I have considered keeping this one and possibly “downgrading” to a SRW Cummins 3500 with a snowplow, but even then, it would still be $80,000+
Like I said, I have options and extending the warranty, doing nothing & keeping the current truck, or buying a new one, are good options to have.
Most logical from today’s perspective is keep with short term warranty. My accountant thinks this year would be a good year to buy from a depreciation write-off perspective.
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Farmer 5500
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Me neither. I just question Rams judgement on this since so many do buy trucks soley based on power.
I am not one of them.