The First Known 5th-Gen Ram 1500 With 200k Miles is Still Running Strong
The fifth generation of the Ram 1500 debuted in 2019, so few of these trucks have reached the high-mileage mark yet. But a diesel technician named Justin Wheeler, who uses his 2019 Ram 1500 Limited for work, has already put 200k miles on it. In his journey, he learned some things about the fifth-generation Ram 1500. Overall, he’s happy with its performance, would buy the same truck again, and plans to run it to at least 250k miles before considering a replacement.
How many miles will a Ram 1500 Hemi last?
The Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is not the most advanced or fuel-efficient engine on the market. But this tried-and-true powerplant will outlast most vehicles currently on the road. One owner with a 200k-mile fifth-gen Ram 1500 reports his Hemi is still going strong.
When Justin Wheeler’s Ram 1500 broke 200k miles, he sent his used motor oil to a lab for testing. The results were excellent: no engine parts appear to be wearing quicker than expected, no gasoline is seeping past the piston ring and into the oil, and no antifreeze is leaking into the oil either.
Wheeler’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 has suffered one engine issue: the infamous cracked manifold that plagues many Ram 1500 owners. But Ram fixed the problem under warranty, and the truck lives to fight another day. Wheeler also has yet to replace the truck’s transmission fluid, despite towing often, sometimes beyond the vehicle’s maximum towing capacity. Despite this, the transmission shows no signs of wear.
What breaks first on a Ram 1500?
The most commonly reported problems on a fifth-gen Ram 1500 include a cracked exhaust manifold, a coolant leak, and a leaking rear window gasket. There may be additional issues to look out for as fifth-gen Ram 1500s near the 200k mileage mark.
Justin Wheeler reported several additional problems with his 200k-mile Ram 1500. He feels the windshield glass is subpar, as it chipped multiple times from gravel strikes. When the glass finally cracked, he had an aftermarket windshield installed instead. A similar issue he had was the number of scratches and dents on the front of the truck. He admits he’s driven many miles, but feels that minor impacts cause damage they should not.
By 200k miles, Wheeler also experienced repeated failures of his automatic tailgate. Lubricating the mechanism and hinges might solve the issue, but Wheeler points out that he’s never owned a truck that required tailgate lubrication. Finally, the truck’s Ramboxes have never failed to open, and their power and lights have always worked, but one of the lids is noticeably warped.
Can a Ram 1500 go 300,000 miles?
There isn’t an official record of a fifth-gen Ram 1500 at 300k miles yet. But at least one 2019 Limited has 200k miles on the clock, and it’s still going strong.
Justin Wheeler revealed on his YouTube that he uses his truck for work, crisscrossing the country with his tools to inspect automated diesel engines in remote locations. He’s put 200k miles on his Ram 1500 and plans to run it to at least 250k before reassessing whether it’s reliable enough for work. But depending on how it looks, he’s not against running it for longer. He says he eventually plans to hand it down to his son.
What’s next for the 200k-mile Ram? First, Wheeler plans to replace the aforementioned transmission fluid. He also had his cracked manifold replaced under warranty, so the truck has a factory unit now. For this reason, he is on the lookout for the manifold to crack a second time. But otherwise, the truck’s drivetrain is running strong, and Wheeler isn’t planning any more major services.
Next, read the maintenance schedule for a Ram 1500 or find out what Wheeler loves most about his Ram after living with it for 200k miles, in the video below:
