The Ram 2500 performs in a giant sandbox with heavy-duty vans that every one have the identical mission: haul, tow, and conquer duties that lesser ones can solely dream of. After testing its smaller sibling, the Ram 1500, in practically each spec and trim, from the luxurious Tungsten to the off-road-ready RHO, we’re lastly getting a shot with the larger 2500.
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Actually, this marks our first dance with the heavy-duty Ram and that so occurs to sport a diesel powertrain, particularly the 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six. It makes 430 horsepower (320 kW) and a whopping 1,075 lb-ft (1455 Nm) of torque after which sends it to all 4 wheels through an eight-speed automated transmission.
All of that grunt makes this beast able to towing as much as 20,000 kilos (9,071 kg) or hauling 2,740 kilos (1,242 kg) within the mattress. In different phrases, it may tow all however the absolute largest of African elephants with out problem. Or, somebody may strap a whole Mazda MX-5 onto the again of the mattress itself and the Ram 2500 wouldn’t have any problem with it.
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There’s no query that this large truck is succesful relating to work. What’s up for debate, although, is what it’s prefer to reside with. Whereas it may be sturdy, is it really straightforward to work with? Does it make hauling or towing simpler than it could possibly be with different vans? And what occurs when the work day ends?
To search out out, we examined it totally loaded and with none cargo in any respect. We took it deep into city sprawls, to industrial retailers, to dwelling enchancment shops, and out onto gravel roads. Contemplating its as-tested worth of $100,595 is roughly double the typical worth of a brand new automotive as we speak, it must be adequate to do double responsibility as a employee and a household hauler. That’s precisely what it’s, however we nonetheless wouldn’t advocate it for many consumers.
Styling
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Off the highest, it’s clear that it is a very massive truck, and for the kind of work it does, it must be. Positive, somebody may put this drivetrain in one thing smaller, however really hauling what this truck can is simply attainable due to the specialised mixture of brakes, chassis, axles, differentials, and extra that make it so. Packaging that in something smaller could be tougher, each from a manufacturing standpoint and from a future upkeep one.
To that finish, this pickup is imposing in every single place it goes. Our check truck is of the Restricted Longhorn selection, and it comes with the crew cab and a six-foot mattress. In different phrases, this truck could possibly be even longer if we had the eight-foot mattress. That every one stated, it’s nonetheless 238.8 inches (6065 mm) lengthy. Put one other method, it’s longer than a traditional limousine sedan.
It’s a chunky factor too, measuring 79.5 inches (2019 mm) or 6’6’’ back and forth. That implies that this truck takes up simply over 130 sq. toes wherever it goes, and that’s with out something hanging out of the mattress or hooked up to the trailer hitch. That stated, there are uglier methods to get round in one thing that takes up as a lot actual property as some New York Metropolis flats.
Positive, the piggish nostril of the Ram 2500 isn’t for everyone, however it’s unapologetically daring and in your face. Maybe a greater method to describe it might be “loud and proud”. The tall fenders sign that the step-in peak can be difficult for some. Fortunately, our check truck got here with Ram’s automated energy steps that even a taller man like me discovered useful.
Mattress entry is straightforward because of Ram’s sliding step below the driving force’s facet of the truck. It shortly slips out after which again in below reasonable strain from one’s foot. As soon as deployed, it supplied steady help for getting into and exiting the mattress itself. Within the mattress, one will discover tie downs, lights, and naturally, a number of choices for powering instruments and tailgate gear.
This truck boasts a 2.4kW on-board energy system, fifth wheel towing preparation already completed within the mattress, and even a characteristic to regulate trailering backup through a small dial within the middle console. It’s constructed for work each inside and outside.
Luxurious Workspace
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This truck may be able to towing each land animal on earth, however what helps it stand out in a crowd of labor vans is its cabin. A couple of a long time in the past, the concept that this kind of automobile would have high-quality leather-based upholstery, a large touchscreen infotainment system and this many creature comforts would’ve sounded absurd.
Actually, one doesn’t even want to sit down within the Ram 2500 Restricted Longhorn to get the message. Take one peek contained in the door opening, and it’s immediately apparent. This explicit cowboy-themed trim has a number of western aesthetics. Actually, this truck taught me that the patterning you see right here is named Filigree. It’s part of the door playing cards, the leather-based upholstery on the seats, and even within the tiny gold plastic trim.
That’s not the one factor that stands out. Ram’s gigantic 14.4-inch portrait-oriented Uconnect infotainment system is right here too, and it’s not alone, as on either side of the sprint, you’ll discover one other display screen. On the left is the driving force data show. Measuring in at 12 inches, it’s as configurable as anybody may probably need in need of loading in their very own graphics and fonts. On the correct facet is a smaller infotainment display screen solely for the entrance passenger. Is that extreme? Not in a truck that prices wherever close to this a lot.
It permits the consumer to do greater than the driving force can do on the principle display screen whereas the truck is in movement. The consumer may feed navigation instructions to the principle display screen, play video games, or handle different media. Hooked as much as all of those screens are 17 audio system from Harman Kardon. As a bundle, it’s laborious to complain about something infotainment-related on this truck. The menus are intuitive, the screens are responsive, and the audio system sound clear, full, and wide-ranging.
From a seating and luxury perspective, the Ram hits many of the nails on the pinnacle. The middle console is filled with helpful options like wi-fi gadget charging, configurable sliding sections, a workman’s arthritic within the console, and nearly each energy port one may ask for.
However, there may be nonetheless room for enchancment. For instance, whereas rear seat occupants have copious legroom, they don’t get their very own local weather management. They don’t even get some form of rear-seat leisure system, which appears comical in a truck that prices wherever close to this a lot.
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As well as, a small annoyance is that Ram didn’t totally lean into the western theme however slightly pretended to. The again of the entrance seats seems to have two pockets every, together with one that appears like an actual saddle bag of types. Sadly, it’s totally faux.
The buckle is faux, the higher cowl doesn’t open, and so every seat solely has one standard pocket. Nonetheless there may be some intelligent storage below the seats, and Ram even gives a set of panels that fold out right into a flat load flooring within the second row.
Drive Impressions
Given its dimension and appreciable heft, driving the Ram 2500 is extra of an train in sound decision-making than the rest. After I say this truck is highly effective, I’m not speaking about its capability to haul issues, which as talked about above is certainly one among its property, however slightly its skill to merge into visitors at a tempo that few different on a regular basis vehicles can.
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In fact, as soon as it’s up to the mark, it’s not possible to cheat physics, so regardless of how strong its brakes may be, it wants a bit of additional time to decelerate. The motive force should additionally remember that it calls for deliberate and intentional enter relating to lane adjustments and turns. One doesn’t enter a hairpin on this truck with out being considerate about pace and placement in a single’s lane.
Fortunately, the controls make domesticating this animal a breeze. The brakes are straightforward to reasonable, the steering feels as sharp as attainable for one thing this huge, and the engine responds with constant linearity. The experience high quality is strong throughout totally different surfaces, too. That’s all true whether or not hauling, towing, or doing neither.
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Actually, it’s nearly extra spectacular to tow one thing or haul one thing with this truck than to drive it unladen. Easy is a superb phrase to explain the way it feels. Positive, there may be literal tons of stuff behind it, however the Cummins engine makes it really feel as if it’s no large deal.
Throughout all of our testing, we achieved 15.4 mpg, which we are able to’t evaluate to EPA scores since they don’t exist for vans of this dimension. Even so, it’s a strong determine for one thing that large doing the whole lot we requested it to do.
Visibility is, unsurprisingly, restricted in a automobile of this dimension, however that is the place tech helps out. Apart from the wonderful facet mirrors, this Ram has a bevy of onboard cameras. Each provides one other helpful view for drivers to leverage, whether or not they’re parking, driving, or managing a tough path.
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In fact, managing a parking zone is a special story. Positive, the cameras make it simpler to see, however the dimension of this truck makes the precise logistics tougher than in nearly another sort of car.
Competitors
The competitors on this phase is comparatively small. Common Motors and Ford are the one different gamers, and every has one thing to supply. For the previous, it’s a confirmed diesel drivetrain, off-roading functionality, and many wonderful trailering options. Sometimes, heavy-duty vans from GM additionally value lower than an equal Ram product.
Ford consumers in all probability get closest to really matching what Ram has on provide. They, too, profit from diesel and gasoline choices below the hood. Lately, Ford has labored laborious to compete on inside luxurious and luxury. It’s doing an excellent job, however the Ram nonetheless takes our prime spot, a minimum of for now.
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On the subject of towing or hauling, the 3500 is much extra succesful than the 2500, and throughout all three manufacturers, the dualie choices are clearly probably the most potent relating to work. That stated, Ram deserves credit score for providing a truck that consumers can get in a number of totally different configurations. That features selections of two or four-wheel drive, cab choices, mattress choices, and a bevy of trims as properly.
Closing Ideas
After per week with the Ram 2500, I used to be completely content material watching it rumble off into the sundown, however that’s purely a mirrored image of my way of life, not the truck’s functionality. For somebody like me, who doesn’t commonly tow huge trailers or haul heavy masses, its sheer dimension, massive turning circle, and parking-lot wrestling matches make it a tricky day by day companion.
But when I had been a rancher wrangling livestock trailers, a hotshot hauler delivering heavy tools cross-country, a landscaper towing mowers and mulch, a common contractor hauling instruments and supplies to job websites, and even an avid camper pulling a fifth-wheel RV, I’d seemingly have been downright heartbroken to see it go.
The Ram 2500 is a purpose-built machine that blends brute power with a surprisingly plush inside that rivals some luxurious SUVs. Options just like the buttery leather-based seats, 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen, and energetic noise cancellation make lengthy hauls really feel much less like work and extra like a road-trip indulgence. But, for all its refinement, it’s nonetheless a beast that calls for house and persistence, particularly in tight city environments or rush-hour visitors.
Some automobiles are nearly stealthy, revealing little about their homeowners past a imprecise sense of favor or practicality. The Ram 2500, nevertheless, is a daring declaration of goal. It tells the world its driver has severe work to do, or a severe way of life to help, and so they’re not afraid to wield a truck that’s as commanding as it’s succesful, even when it means sacrificing agility for unbelievable may.
Ultimately, this truck is one which we’d solely ever advocate to somebody who wants the working capability it gives. For the overwhelming majority of individuals, it’s overkill in some areas, like towing capability and dimension, whereas giving up different issues like driving dynamics and gasoline economic system. It may additionally profit from much more luxurious appointments, contemplating its worth level. Thus, our conclusion is that, as in lots of different instances, it’s extra a matter of the place every purchaser’s priorities lie, and naturally private style, than the rest.
