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Who has driven both a Silverado 2500 and Ram 2500 gas?

J

jm888

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I would just like to get your opinion on the two if you have driven both (the newest generation of both). I imagine it may be somewhat biased because you are in this forum so you probably went with a Ram, but I would still like to hear the comparison. Basically I am trying to decide between a gas Silverado 2500 and Ram 2500. I have mostly been comparing them on paper so far as I have not had time to go out and really look. I have not driven a Silverado HD yet but sat in one and it just seemed huge. Like, definitely taller and just seemed way bigger than a Silverado 1500. On the other hand, I drove a Ram 1500 but not a 2500 and on paper, the 2500 looks like it is the same size as the 1500. Maybe it is a little higher though? I do see that the Ram has a smaller cab though with less rear legroom and that is actually a positive thing for me because I am pretty short (it was a little difficult getting into the Silverado!) so I have the seat pretty far forward which will give the rear a lot of leg room. And that will make the truck a little shorter which should make it a little more maneuverable. So I know cab size was one negative I read about for a Ram but we can throw that out in my case. Anyways, just love to hear any overall impression on ride quality, engine, etc. I am talking a crew cab with the 6.5 foot bed here. Thanks.
 
jm888 said:
On the other hand, I drove a Ram 1500 but not a 2500 and on paper, the 2500 looks like it is the same size as the 1500. Maybe it is a little higher though
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I have not driven a new Silverado but I can say there is a big difference between driving a 1500 and a 2500/3500. It may seem close on paper but it is a much "bigger" driving truck then a 1500. You need to go test drive them period.


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MtnRider said:
I have not driven a new Silverado but I can say there is a big difference between driving a 1500 and a 2500/3500. It may seem close on paper but it is a much "bigger" driving truck then a 1500. You need to go test drive them period.


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Yeah, I know I need to get out there and spend some time driving them and hope to do that soon. I did drive a Power Wagon but I am not taking that into consideration because I would not want an off road truck like that.
 
Have not driven a new Silverado. But I noticed driving my ram 2500 that I know the front end looks good and not super ugly like the new Silverado 2500. But driving a new Silverado 2500 might help with that. You can't see the grill and head lights from drivers seat.

Sorry. I had to. Coming from 03 gas bow tie is not going to help you out here. But I will say my turning radius feels bigger on the ram.
 
The Ram 1500 is the best riding half ton on the market - no bias, thats a fact. I own a chevy 1500 for a work truck.. it rides like absolute garbage. If i had to compare it to anything, i would say it rides like a "heavy half".

Any 2500 will ride and steer less precise, it will have a more lofty feel, less nimble. I'm pretty sure the Chevy is on leafsprings where as the ram is on coils. The ram will ride and handle better than the chevy.

I find Ram has pretty good visibility from the cab - can't comment on the Chevy.
 
I had a follow up thought.

My 03 Silverado with 105k on it did have MUCH tighter (heavier) steering. The ram took some getting used to. I drive my trucks like a grandpa but noticed on freeway ramps with tight corners I has to slow down way more with the ram or I had a tendency to do the "oversteer under steer " battle.
 
I test drove Chevy, GMC, and the RAM. All are good vehicles and will do what is asked of them. For me it was the looks and the deals. I got more options for less money with the RAM. I also believe the Ram had tighter turn radius. Take them out for a test ride write notes about things you like and don’t. But what fits you best. Visibility over the hood on Ram is better.


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Looked and drove both GMC 2500HD and RAM 2500HD diesel products. The GMC (Silverado equivalent) rode better due to IFS/IRS suspension. The GMC interior felt very dated and in need of redesign. The RAM was light years ahead. The GMC material felt cheap. RAM has figured out interior design.

One aspect that many don't realize is the overall vehicle length. A GMC, Silverado and Ford will not fit in your standard garage. The RAM is roughly 10" shorter and will fit. That is a big issue for us since we are in hail country (Colorado). Not sure which model / config you are considering but pay attention to all vehicle spec.
 
mpinco said:
Looked and drove both GMC 2500HD and RAM 2500HD diesel products. The GMC (Silverado equivalent) rode better due to IFS/IRS suspension. The GMC interior felt very dated and in need of redesign. The RAM was light years ahead. The GMC material felt cheap. RAM has figured out interior design.

One aspect that many don't realize is the overall vehicle length. A GMC, Silverado and Ford will not fit in your standard garage. The RAM is roughly 10" shorter and will fit. That is a big issue for us since we are in hail country (Colorado). Not sure which model / config you are considering but pay attention to all vehicle spec.
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I did notice the Ram is 10 inches shorter at like 238.5 inches or something like that? The thing is, my garage is just a shade under 20 feet. I planned on making a bump out of a couple feet in the back wall of my garage to fit a truck and will have to do it with any of them it looks like. I don't think I can cut it with a half inch to spare!
 
First there is a big difference between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. When we were doing our research I drove the GMC 2500 Denali (Sorry but the new Chevy front end was too ugly to even consider). Also drove the Ford F250 and of course the Ram 2500. The Ford was the most expensive of the lot, you get less truck for the same money (I also hated those bi-level front door sills). GMC would have been our second choice but the interior was just lacking compared to the Ram. As far as capabilities, all three would have done the job. It came down to three things. First was the interior comfort. We do some long trips with our trailer which means spending a lot of time in the truck. Ram was just head and shoulders nicer than Ford and especially GMC. Second was the MegaCab. The back is even roomier than the front, you can recline the back seats and if you fold them down you could sleep two people back there. As we like company when we go camping, the MegaCab makes it very comfortable for our guests. The last thing was the ride. The coil springs in the Ram make for a much better ride. We opted for the Air Suspension and it makes the ride even better. Regarding performance of the 6.4 Hemi, It has plenty of power to spare. I would suggest going with the 4.10 rear end. This gives you additional towing capacity and makes the truck very peppy off the line when not towing. Good luck whichever way you go.
 
Went RAM but still annoyed GMC gives their 2500 nearly 20% more towing capacity. Just enough to open door to 5th wheels (and be legal).
 
If you plan to go off-road, the Ram 2500 on 4 coils and with a straight front axle would own the GM twins. That's just mechanical scienez factz.
 
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