Not every pickup truck is created equal. That is even more evident when it comes to Heavy Duty trucks made by the American big 3 automakers. I had a chance to review one of these jewels from the Chrysler Corporation, the RAM 2500 HD. Aside from this being the second biggest vehicle to ever park in my drive way, the biggest being a moving truck, it can be a working class man’s/woman’s getaway. Something this big should have its own zip code.
Aside from shear size, the RAM 2500 is a true workhorse in terms of getting any ‘job’ done that is thrown its way. Towing, check… hauling, check… ample room for 5 other hard-hat-wearing co-workers, check.
My RAM 2500 HD was optioned out with all types of bells and whistles. After all, this vehicle was featured at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association – the Largest aftermarket car show around). The RAM 2500 Laramie in my possession was optioned out with several Mopar accessories such as head-rest DVD players, tonneau cover, chrome wheels wrapped in over-sized off-road tires, and a thumping hard-drive based audio system with GPS touch-screen navigation.
RAM 2500 Laramie’s come standard with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 but my test vehicle had the optional 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with an output rated at 350 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque at a low 1500 rpm. That’s enough grunt on tap to tow up to 12,600 pounds. Even though that figure is surpassed by some heavy-duty truck offerings from Chevy and Ford, the RAM 2500 HD can hold its own. Of course any truck with this type of towing capability will come at a cost, in the form of a lot of fuel. Our test vehicle averaged 12.5 miles to the gallon on the highway. Although this is not a great number, it stayed rather consistent even during some city driving.
Driving the RAM 2500 HD seemed to be a task when it came to wet road conditions and different parking scenarios. The RAM 2500 HD was relatively easy to navigate down freeways and even through residential roads. When the rain started to come down my drive turned into “Tokyo Drift Gone Bad”. The huge off-road tires were lacking grip over wet paved surfaces. I found out what it is like to drift about 6,000 pounds around a corner. It was not exactly fun but I was able to regain full control of this mammoth without utilizing the airbag features. Stability control and traction control would be great to have even in a truck that can’t fit in a normal size garage.
Dodge aimed to make the RAM line competitive in every way. I have to honestly say they have accomplished that task for the most part with a vast variety of tucks for just about any kind of job. The better aspects of the RAM 2500 HD had to be its interior, which is among the best in the industry for a truck. You simply cannot find many trucks tricked out like this one with suede inserts on the heated leather seating areas. My inner redneck truly felt at home in such a spacious truck cabin.
If you are a true Mopar fan, then you may really LOVE this truck. If you are looking for a serious heavy duty truck for your blue collar work duties, then you will LIKE this truck. When it comes down to it the Ram 2500 HD, loaded up with Mopar accessories and all types of shinny chrome accents, is geared towards a tricked-out truck fan more-so than someone who is going to get it all muddy.
Copyright:2011 AutomotiveAddicts.com
