Should I Buy a Used Silverado 1500 or Ram 1500?

You have some cash to spend on another vehicle. You decide you want a used pickup truck. Why not? They’re big, they’re beautiful, they’re perfect for work, and they’re fairly spacious to boot. You’ve settled on choosing between a used Chevy or a used Ram of the light-duty variety. What do you go with? You’re asking yourself, should I get a used Silverado 1500 or a Ram 1500? Well, the good part about it is that we can help you narrow down the choices. This way, when it’s time to visit a used truck dealer near you to buy your used Silverado 1500 or Ram 1500, you will show up knowing what you want.

Obviously, your first series of questions will be about performance, price, capabilities, and capacity. Right? Of course. But you should also know that different model years come with different standard features. You may even be shocked to know that the visual style of both trucks has changed over time as well. In essence, if you’re buying used, you need to be informed about which truck might best suit your style based on a number of factors.

I Want a Great Looking Truck. Is the Silverado or Ram Better for Me?

When it comes to looks, it all depends on what you’re gunning for out of a used truck. If you want a traditional-looking pickup with a boxed frame and simple lines, then a 2017 or 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a perfect full-size fit. The 2018 model year was the final year of the third-generation Silverado, so it comes fully featured and with a lot of amenities that were introduced throughout that time frame. If you wanted a more modern-looking truck with relaxed lines and smoother curves, a 2019 (or newer) Silverado might be a better fit.

But what if you want a tough-looking pickup with a lot of muscle to its fascia and presence? Well, in that case, you definitely want to go with the Ram 1500. Fourth-generation Ram 1500 pickups feature the iconic cross-shaped grille design with the Ram badge in the center. It adds a very sturdy and rugged look to its hulking frame. That look is still retained with the fifth-generation Ram 1500 trucks; only the grille design has changed quite a bit. There’s a lot more chrome and flair to the fascia, too. Should you want something even sportier, the latest Ram 1500 has been sold in a variety of blacked-out appearance packages.

I Need a Truck for Work. Which One Should I Get?

Both the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 are excellent for work purposes. If you want a used pickup with amazing payload capacity, try the 2019 Ram 1500. With a 3.6-liter V6, rear-wheel drive, and a Quad Cab, you can expect a max payload capacity of 2,320 pounds. The 2021 Ram 1500 Classic Express and Tradesman trims in the Quad Cab format with the 3.6-liter V6 will also net you 1,930 pounds worth of payload if you were considering getting a newer used pickup.

On the conventional towing and trailering side, both the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 offer amazing ratings. The two trucks nearly tie for many of the used variants currently available on the market. You can expect anywhere between 12,500 and 12,750 in terms of max conventional towing for both the Ram and Silverado from their previous generation model year offerings. The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500, however, received quite the boost for its outing, allowing for a maximum trailering capacity of 13,400 pounds. So if you wanted great payload capacity, definitely consider the Ram 1500, but if you wanted top-end trailering capacity, you might consider a used 2020 Silverado 1500.

Is a Used Ram 1500 or Silverado 1500 Better for Performance?

Performance is a very important aspect of any light-duty pickup. You can’t go wrong with a used Ram 1500 or Silverado 1500. Both trucks have a history of being very performance-driven for multiple generations. The Ram has typically been known to attract enthusiasts for lots of high-end horsepower, but the Silverado is no slouch either. In fact, the Silverado edges out the Ram 1500 on average when it comes to max torque from its gasoline engines, with the Ram 1500 offering up to 410 pound-feet of torque, whereas the Silverado’s 6.2-liter V8 option extends up to 460 pound-feet of torque.

Alternatively, the Ram 1500 typically offers more average horsepower across its used trim lines. So if you were going with something from the third or fourth generation, expect better top-end horsepower from the Ram 1500, while the Silverado 1500 may offer more overall torque. There is the exception, of course, with something like the Ram 1500 TRX, which comes with more horsepower and torque than most people can handle. But it all boils down to how much power you need and how much power you can actually harness.

Is a Used Ram 1500 or Silverado 1500 Better for Fuel Economy?

Model years from previous generations of the Ram 1500 will net you better fuel economy compared to those same model years of the Chevy Silverado 1500, depending on the powertrain you go with. However, newer model years of the Chevy Silverado 1500 with the turbo-diesel option will earn you better top-end fuel economy over the Ram 1500. By comparison, the Ram 1500’s diesel option will earn you about 22 miles per gallon in the city and up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway, while the Silverado 1500’s diesel option gives you 23 miles per gallon in the city and up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway.

Of course, the fuel economy is going to be completely dependent on what you plan to use the trucks for and how much traveling you plan to do in the truck. For the non-diesel option, a used Ram 1500 can deliver up to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. Most used Silverado 1500 pickups hover around a maximum of 20 miles per gallon in the city and up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway.

Is a Used Ram 1500 or Silverado 1500 More Dependable?

The Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 are both noted to be very dependable trucks when well maintained. A used Ram 1500 is known for holding up quite well under duress and long-term use, especially the newer models paired with an EcoDiesel engine. Many Silverado 1500 owners also report having put anywhere between tens of thousands of miles up to hundreds of thousands of miles on their truck.

In short, both the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 are known for being very reliable and very dependable pickup trucks. A lot of that dependability also factors in how frequently the trucks are maintained, as well as the trim you go with. If you like off-roading and go with a used Ram or Silverado designed for off-road use, then expect to put more time and effort into maintaining the trucks. If you go with a luxury trim that you don’t drive often, the truck is likely going to last quite a while without any major problems. But a lot of it will depend on trim, model year, and powertrain. All of those are features that a used truck dealer near you, like Dan Cummins, can help you out with during your truck-shopping experience.

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