As with any vehicle, age and mileage will eventually take their toll on your Ram Promaster cargo van. The driving conditions in which you travel, the driving you do every day, and how you care for your vehicle all come into play regarding how long your car or truck will last. So how many miles can you expect the Ram Promaster to last? We have done the research and provided the answer below.
You can expect a Ram Promaster to last up to 250,000 miles. In fact, some consumers have made a claim of up to 475,000 miles in a Ram ProMaster. However, plenty of evidence shows that the average vehicle runs for at least 200,000 miles or just over 13 years based on the average miles driven a year of 15,000 miles.
At its core, your Ram Promaster cargo van provides you with the mobility to go where you need to go in your day-to-day routine. And while it can take the place of that gas-guzzling pickup truck for some consumers, one of the most important factors in how long any vehicle will last is how you care for it. In this article, we will discuss the reliability and life longevity of the Ram Promaster when properly maintained, your Promaster cargo van will be, and how it compares to other cargo vans in the market.
How Many Miles Can A Ram ProMaster Last?
The key to maximizing the life expectancy of your ProMaster is proper regular maintenance. Staying on top of any repairs and managing them in a timely fashion will help you go beyond 200,000 miles without an issue.
Allowing your vehicle to get to a point where it has major issues could mean the difference between making it to 200,000 miles or not.
As with any car or truck on the road today, some components will give way before others. The most important of these components is the engine.
Proper maintenance and proactive repairs when needed will keep your engine going. The typical life expectancy of a cargo van engine is about 200,000 miles before it needs to be replaced with a new one.
The battery, starter motor, and ignition wiring are typical parts that can give out earlier than the vehicle's components. Still, again if these issues are corrected, they will not affect how your cargo van runs.
Finally, the fuel pump is another part that can break or stop working before you hit 200,000 miles if not looked after and replaced when needed.
Again, timely repairs and maintenance on your vehicle will go a long way in maximizing its life expectancy and keeping it on the road for as long as possible.
How To Maximize The Life Of Your Cargo Van
The best way to maximize and protect the life of your cargo van is by following a regular maintenance schedule. This means checking and replacing things as needed, such as air filters, oil changes, coolant levels, and brake pads.
It would be best if you also had the brakes looked at every 5 to 10 thousand miles. Brake pads are expected to last around 100,000 miles; however, you will need to change them out more often if you do a lot of hard braking or drive in harsh conditions.
The way that you drive your vehicle also has an impact on the life expectancy of your ProMaster.
For example, aggressive acceleration and deceleration can lead to faster brake pad and engine wear than you may expect.
Caring for your cargo van properly by doing what we discussed will help you go beyond 250,000 miles without any issues. And if your Ram gets up in mileage but doesn't have any major problems with it, there is no reason why you can't add a few more miles to the odometer.
Is the Ram ProMaster reliable?
According to Repair Pal, the Ram ProMaster has a two out of five reliability rating. However, 1500, 2500, and 3500 models have this same low score on their repair website.
These scores are given based on three factors: cost, frequency, and severity of repairs needed for vehicles in that model class.
If you're looking for a truck that is not just functional but reliable as well, then the ProMaster may be one to avoid. Ram claims it's great at hauling cargo or people and has an above-average cost of ownership compared to other vehicles on the road.
Which cargo van is most reliable?
The Commercial Van Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5, ranking it 18th out of 19 for all vehicle types. This rating is based on an average across 21 unique models and a 16% probability of severe repairs each year.
The annual repair cost averages $963 per commercial van, with 0.5 visits to a repair shop annually being typical as well!
Below, we have given the industry, most reliable cargo vans based on average annual repair costs according to RepairPal:
- Nissan NV 200 -$645
- Ram ProMaster City - $795
- Nissan NV 1500 - $825
- GMC Savana 1500 - $960
- Ford Transit Connect - $926
- Ford Transit - $888
- Chevrolet Express 2500 - $877
- Ford Transit 150 - $972
- Chevrolet Express 1500 - $963
- Nissan NV 3500 - $740
As you can see, the Nissan NV 3500 and Nissan NV 200 are the most reliable based on their average annual repair costs. On the other hand, the Ram ProMaster isn't the most reliable cargo van but still sits in the middle of the pack.
Which is better, Ram ProMaster or Ford Transit?
When you are comparing the Ram ProMaster versus the Ford Transit, the ProMaster is slightly more reliable. The reliability rating is based on the average annual repair cost of the two vehicles.
Nonetheless, both of these cargo vans are great choices. Moreover, they both give an excellent value at a modest price. The Ford Transit is slightly larger, but the Ram ProMaster has a better fuel economy.
It is important to note that reliability can be affected by how well the vehicle was maintained during the dealer's run, which you will need to keep in mind if you buy your ProMaster used.
If you are looking for a reliable cargo van, the Nissan NV 3500 and Nissan NV 200 are two of the most reliable.
If you want a new or newer cargo van, the Ford Transit is one of your best options. It has a good price, great fuel economy, and is extremely reliable. However, you can't go wrong with either of these options.
Why are ProMaster vans so expensive?
The ProMaster has a starting MSRP of $30,590, making it the middle of the road amongst other cargo vans. The Ford Transit and GMC Savana are similar in price and specs when compared side by side.
The Ram ProMaster is a good middle-of-the-road cost choice especially compared to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van!
As far as cargo vans go, the ProMaster is competitively priced compared to other vehicles in its class.
If you are interested in a used ProMaster for sale, remember that reliability can be an issue if not cared for properly. The vehicle's build date may also play a role in how long the van will last.
Research a vehicle's reliability and whether or not it has a lengthy, successful history of being a dependable cargo van. Check the date that the ProMaster was made and where it comes from to ensure you have plenty of time left on its factory warranty.
It is also important to look at CarFax before making a buying decision. A CarFax is a handy tool that helps you check the history report of any vehicle.
The history report will break down the maintenance history, how many owners, and any accidents. Getting a CarFax can be the difference between buying a lemon or a safe, reliable van!
Which ProMaster is best for conversion?
The ProMaster has three different models that vary by length. However, the wheelbase is the same, and they all have similar widths and heights.
The major difference between them is how long it is; some are longer than others to accommodate those who want more space for storage or seating and amenities such as skylights or workbenches in the back of the van, etc.
It depends on what you hope to do with your build whether a shorter version would be better suited for you than going big from the beginning.
Consumers can choose between the 136-inch wheelbase or the extended 159-inch wheelbase. Deciding which to choose will depend on your needs and budget.
Each wheelbase has its advantages and disadvantages. The best thing to do is to look at both sizes at the dealership to understand better which size to go with for your conversion.
In Closing
Overall, if you properly maintain and take care of your Ram ProMaster, you should have no problem getting over 200,000 miles.
But first, check with your dealership for the proper maintenance schedule for your model year. This will help you stay disciplined to the schedule and ensure your van will have a long life.
If you enjoyed this article on the Ram ProMaster, you might also like:
Can You Add Seats To A Ford Transit Cargo Van?
Does A King Size Bed Fit In A Cargo Van Or Minivan?
Can You Stand Up In A GMC Savana?
Do you have a Ram ProMaster? Leave us a comment below!