As an aside I keep the machines that build the condensers in these trucks running, I heart the truck a lot.
There’s a new full-size Ram pickup in town.
Big things that might interest you:
It’s nearly 225 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
The frame features 98 percent high-strength steel.
Max trailing towing is 12,750 pounds.
Max payload is up to 2300 pounds.
An electronic locking diff is available across the line.
The Ram offers 151.1 liters of storage capacity. Nearly 100 percent more than its closest competitor, they say.
It’s quieter than before: “electronically controlled side-frame-mounted active tuned-mass modules (ATMM) work in harmony with an interior active noise cancellation (ANC) system on 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 equipped models to reduce ambient sounds down to a low 67.1 db – the quietest Ram 1500 ever.”
Frequency Response Damping is standard across the line.
The tailgate features dampers.
The drag coefficient for the Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x2 is .357.
Some more aero tech: “As the 2019 Ram 1500 approaches 35 miles per hour (mph), a standard active front air dam automatically extends downward 2.5 inches (non-air suspension and Rebel trucks). The optional air suspension system lowers the truck 0.6 inches improving overall aerodynamics and efficiency. The new Ram 1500 also employs an active grille shutter system, which automatically closes the airflow through the huge grille when cooling is least needed.”
eTorque is available with the V6 and V8 engines. eTorque? From the press kit: “eTorque combines belt-drive motor generator unit with 48-volt battery pack to enable start/stop function, short-term torque assist and brake energy regeneration.”
We tested the rather loaded Limited Crew Cab 4x4 powered by the 5.7-liter Hemi backed by an eight-speed automatic. Starting MSRP for this configuration is $56,195. Then there are the options, bringing our total to $64,800.
Want to spend less? The new Ram 1500 line starts at $31,795 for the V6-powered Tradesman. And even a less expensive option also exists: Ram will still sell you a copy of last year’s truck; now dubbed the Ram Classic, it starts at $27,295.
When it comes to big trucks, it’s Ford or Chevy, right–or, if you like to be different, Toyota and Nissan? Maybe we should be paying more attention to Ram.
After driving this one, I confessed to a friend in the industry: Is it me, or was the Ram like just amazing?
He confirmed my suspensions. Okay, whew.
While the Ram is a big truck, it doesn’t ride like a big truck. My unnamed friend says credit should go to the coil springs found at all four corners.
The Ram 1500 does all of today’s usual truck stuff. It has all kinds of storage cubbies. There’s no shortage of comfort and convenience items. You need a USB outlet? Here you go.
But the Ram did all that truck stuff without applying a penalty to your backside.
I was going to start this counterpoint with a gripe about how expensive new trucks are, but that’s well-trampled ground at this point. Instead, I’ll just start with the assumption that $64,800 is a perfectly reasonable amount to pay for a half-ton truck.
So, how’s it work? I only had this truck for a few hours, but I towed a 20-foot enclosed car trailer with it, and it was great, because of course it was. I drove the truck to and from work a bit, and it was great. I carried four people in it, and it was great. I turned the radio on and–surprise surprise–it, too, was great. Modern trucks are amazing, and they’re so huge that they’re basically every other adjective, too. I totally understand why so many Americans pick a big loaded truck as their only vehicle, as they really do everything pretty well. And hey, with seven-year financing available, does it really matter what it costs?
As an aside I keep the machines that build the condensers in these trucks running, I heart the truck a lot.
"And hey, with seven-year financing available, does it really matter what it costs? "
There are many givens that go into generating the multitude of answers to that question none of which will apply to everybody.
So IMHO it is certainly not a no brainer to finance 65k of anything, even a ginormous fantastical shiny vastly capable new truck.
Totally agree, Shaun. I forgot to use the sarcasm font there.
Tom Suddard said:Totally agree, Shaun. I forgot to use the sarcasm font there.
O.K.! Good God you had me going!
I just bought a 2019 Dodge Ram Tradesmen end of Dec 2018. Crew Cab 4x4, 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed auto. Off Road package and Trailer Tow package with the new E Locker 3.92 Rear. Big mirrors. Aluminum wheels, power rear slider, and dealer added Mopar running boards and bed liner. Work - Truck White (what I call it).
The Tradesmen is the "base" model but now has all power options, carpet, Sirius radio.
So far, fantastic. The coil spring suspension is great. Huge interior, comfortable seats, lots of power. I wanted the best towing half ton for the dollar and that is why I bought the Dodge Ram.
This being Dodge and all, I wonder if the engineers had the drag coefficient down to .340 or something and intentionally put different mirrors or something on it JUST so they could say the Cd is .357.
That would not surprise me.
With the Off Road package, you get 18 inch wheels instead of 20's. Also, Falken A/Ts.
The trailer tow package, has a factory trailer brake also with the controller built into the dash.
The towing mirrors rotate to horizontal or vertical.
Displaying 1-7 of 7 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
