Why would you pick a Ford Raptor over a Ram TRX?

Just curious—why do some of you prefer the Raptor over the TRX? I know the TRX has that massive supercharged V8 and more power, but it’s also heavier and drinks gas like crazy. Yeah, neither of these trucks are great on gas, but over time, that kind of fuel consumption adds up.

The TRX definitely sounds better with a V8. My old Mustang and my current Grand Cherokee both have V8s, so it’s tough to imagine switching to a V6.

Other than that, I just feel like the Raptor is a better all-around truck. If I wait a little longer, the Raptor R should be coming out, but who knows how much extra that’ll cost with markup, insurance, and gas.

Would love to hear thoughts from Raptor owners!

Fiat makes junk. No thanks.

Tyler said:
Fiat makes junk. No thanks.

Yeah, my Grand Cherokee had a water pump failure under warranty because of cheap bearings, but other than that, I’ve been lucky. I’ve got a few friends who haven’t been as lucky with their Dodge vehicles, though.

I don’t know if the TRX (or even the Raptor R) would make a great daily driver.

Jaime said:
I don’t know if the TRX (or even the Raptor R) would make a great daily driver.

It’s actually great if you don’t mind the gas bill. Drives awesome, interior is solid, and the tech is really good.

@Max
Not sure why you got downvoted, because that’s a totally valid point. Especially with gas creeping back toward $5 a gallon.

Riley said:
@Max
Not sure why you got downvoted, because that’s a totally valid point. Especially with gas creeping back toward $5 a gallon.

Haha, talking about liking the TRX on a Raptor forum is a guaranteed way to get downvoted. But honestly, it’s a great truck. I had a Gen 1 Raptor for years and did plenty of off-roading with all kinds of Raptors—stock, modified, fully built. The TRX has its downsides, but it’s nice to see some real competition for the Raptor.

@Max
Yeah, I’m not sure if Ford’s rear suspension upgrades were because of the TRX, but that truck definitely pushed Ford to step up their game.

Jaime said:
I don’t know if the TRX (or even the Raptor R) would make a great daily driver.

I’ll probably just go with the regular Raptor, but it’s fun to daydream about that V8 for now.

@Riley
I’ve thought about trading mine in for an R, but I can’t even imagine what kind of markup they’ll have on them.

Jaime said:
@Riley
I’ve thought about trading mine in for an R, but I can’t even imagine what kind of markup they’ll have on them.

Yeah, that’s the real problem. Finding a dealer that isn’t trying to rip you off is going to be tough.

I just want a Lightning Raptor.

Ash said:
I just want a Lightning Raptor.

Same.

Ash said:
I just want a Lightning Raptor.

This is the way.

My buddy has a TRX, and I’ve driven it a lot. I also had a 2017 Raptor that I put 50k miles on before selling.

The best way I can describe it? The Raptor is a scalpel, and the TRX is a sledgehammer. The TRX is way heavier, and you really feel it, especially up front. It just doesn’t have the suspension it needs for that much weight.

That said, the TRX rips. The power is insane, and it’s instant.

I still prefer the Raptor, but the TRX is a beast and a blast to drive.

The Raptor has better fundamentals:

  • It’s significantly lighter, and that’s not something you can easily fix with aftermarket parts.
  • Lower center of gravity, better weight distribution, and more corrosion resistance because of the aluminum body.
  • Bigger frame throughout and better room in the engine bay for things like larger tires or reservoirs.
  • More shared parts with the regular F-150, meaning better availability and cheaper repairs down the road.
  • The TRX is really heavy, and factory-boosted Hemis don’t have the best track record for longevity, even in lighter vehicles.

I think Ram had to push the TRX to the max just to one-up the Raptor.

@Chen
Great breakdown! I read that the Raptor has more aluminum in its frame. The TRX definitely follows the usual ‘just throw a bigger engine in it, supercharge it, and burn as much fuel as possible’ approach. Probably fun as hell on the road, but maybe not the best for off-roading, especially with that hood blocking so much visibility.

Random question—does the moonroof option in the Raptor mess with cab rigidity or cause extra flex?

@Riley
Appreciate it!

The whole cab and bed are aluminum, except for the firewall, which is made of laminated steel for noise reduction. The Ram has aluminum doors and tailgate, but the rest is steel.

As for the moonroof, I haven’t seen specific torsional data, but I can tell you that they remove the B-pillar roof support when they install it. They do add a structural ring to reinforce the area, but I doubt it contributes much.

If you’re worried about long-term durability, a non-moonroof Raptor would be lighter, less likely to leak, and less prone to weird noises or rattles as it ages. That’s why I’d personally skip it, but it’s really nice when new.

I test-drove both. The TRX just felt massive and kind of clumsy compared to the Raptor. It jumps forward aggressively when you hit the gas, which gets annoying in daily driving. The Raptor still feels big, but in a way that’s more balanced.

The Recaro seats in the Raptor are way better too. Plus, the TRX just looks like another Ram, while the Raptor actually stands out. I ended up getting a Raptor with 37s, and I’m loving it.

Been calling around trying to find a Raptor R, and dealers either won’t give me a straight answer or say there’s a crazy waitlist. The TRX doesn’t really do it for me, so I’m just holding out for the V8 Raptor.