Dodge has introduced several improved products in a matter of just a few years. Within the Dodge lineup consumers with an appetite for true utility can satisfy that hunger within the Ram line of trucks. When it comes to Heavy Duty trucks that need to tow thousands of pounds, the new Ram 2500 HD Laramie is the right tool for the job.
The latest Ram truck has been transformed into a comfortable big-rig that aims to please the most demanding blue collar jobs that can be thrown at it. I was fortunate enough to experience the Ram 2500 Laramie again in a milder visual form than the one I reviewed last year which was tricked out with all types of Mopar accessories. This time the Ram 2500 Laramie was in its natural state ready for the dirty work and none of that pretty-boy show car stuff.
My Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Laramie test vehicle was equipped with the monstrous 6.7-liter Inline 6-cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel, producing 350 horsepower and 650 pounds-feet of torque. With that amount of power, the 2500 Laramie can tow up to 12,600 pounds. This figure is somewhat competitive from other offerings such as GM’s Silverado/Sierra and Ford’s F-Series trucks. At any rate, when you have a truck that can tow in excess of 10,000 pounds, you have a serious rig that means business.
All of this towing power is a serious job for any truck which means you will have to spend some time and money at the pump, sometimes more than you would like. With gas prices on the rise, filling a 34-gallon diesel fuel tank is no cheap game. That translates into a conservative drive if you want to have any type of decent gas mileage. I was able to get a modest 16mpg on the highway with the figure dropping to 13mpg in the city. Of course that is without pulling any type of load, but I can only imagine what anything near the 12,600 pound towing capacity would do the fuel consumption.
With the new Ram, Dodge has managed to make the cabin comfy and easily manageable for any type of driver. The leather seating in the Laramie variant of Ram trucks has an option not only to be heated, but to be ventilated as well. The in-dash Uconnect voice-command navigation-stereo system comes from other Chrysler corp. vehicles. This incorporates an easy-to-use interface for operation of Bluetooth, 30 GB hard-drive based stereo, and sat-nav. A handy backup camera, a much needed option in a big truck like this, is nicely integrated into the in-dash nav/stereo screen. Trust me, the backup camera came in handy each and every time I put this big rig into reverse.
The interior is very spacious providing a large backseat for your working buddies and their hard-hats. The folding rear seats offer some additional storage for small items but are mostly blocked by the Alpine subwoofer powered by the 520-watt stereo system.
On the outside, the new Ram has an intimidating look that makes a statement for those who drive slow in the fast lane. The large Dodge grill alone is menacing to the week-hearted. Nothing is soft about the Ram 2500 except for the seating surfaces, with good reason. The bed can be had in a 6-foot or 8-foot version. When things get a little dicey, 4-wheel-drive comes in handy with an easy turn of a knob. Traction control is not included but would be a nice feature to have. You don’t want the wheels to be on a slippery surface when the torque starts to kick you in the back.
Those looking for a truck that answers their demanding hauling and towing needs without sacrificing cabin comfort will find the new Ram trucks very gratifying. The 2500 HD Ram will bring a bit more to the table. With a tried-and-true Cummins Diesel included in the equation you have added power over the standard HEMI V8. Price for my diesel Ram 2500 HD Laramie edition starts at $42,450 with an as-tested price of $53,805.
Copyright: 2011 AutomotiveAddicts.com
