RAM A CLASSY HARD WORKER
Full-sized truck has plenty of muscle while offering premium comfort
If you want big, the 2017 Ram 2500 HD Mega Cab is without peer. It has the largest cab in all of truckdom! It is also one seriously capable rig, and this holds true regardless of whether it is towing, hauling or out for a night at the opera.
What’s new for 2017 is the addition of the 4x4 Off-road package on all 2500 derivatives. It includes Bilstein mono-tube shocks, hilldescent control, skid plates, tow hooks, a limited-slip rear differential and LT275/70R18 off-road tires. This brings much better off-road performance without detracting from the 2500s workhorse thrust.
The 2500 we tested featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with Ram’s Fuel Saver Technology. It deactivates four of the eight cylinders at idle and when engine loads are light, which cuts fuel consumption. The Hemi also produces a ton of power: 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. This lot was fired to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission and all four wheels. The part-time electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case gives the driver access to 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low.
This combination gave the Ram two very different personalities. During an off-road trek, the brawn and 4-Low gearing gave the Ram the wherewithal to haul through some seriously gnarly trails and a water hole without breaking a sweat. Conversely, on the on-road loop it provided rapid acceleration; the Hemi propelled the 2500 Mega Cab to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, which is pretty darned quick for a full-sized truck. It also has HD credentials with a payload of 1,320 kilograms and a maximum towing capability of 6,913 kg with the 4.10 rear axle in place.
Where the 2500 Mega Cab truly impressed was the ride quality. In spite of its heavy-duty focus, the 2500s ride proved to be remarkably civilized, even though it is difficult to build comfort into a truck designed to carry large loads.
Where the Ram differs from most is the five-link suspension and rear coil springs. This and the mono-tube shocks kept things flat and unflustered. Even mid-corner on a rippled section of road, the back end resisted the urge to washboard (skip) out. This certainly inspired driver confidence. Off-road it improved axle articulation, which kept the wheels in the dirt and the Mega Cab plodding through the mire. There is an optional load-levelling rear air-spring option, which takes things to the next level and should be seriously considered.
The lone nitpick was the turning circle; at 14.3 metres, it takes a lot of space to wheel the Ram around.
The Ram’s cabin is rich beyond expectation when properly equipped. The highlights are the optional configurable dash and 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen. The former gives the driver fast access to a ton of data, including fuel economy, trip info, trailer braking and vehicle status. The latter is an all-encompassing infotainment system that controls the climate, audio, phone and navigation functions, among other things. The large, logically placed icons and quick response times set it apart from most, and it’s child’s play to use, which makes pairing a phone so simple it puts the competition to shame. It should be considered a mandatory purchase. The five-inch Uconnect screen in the tester functioned well, but pales in comparison to the larger unit in the full-zoot model.
On a brighter note, the comfortable armchair-like front seating delivered surprising support during the off-road excursion and there was a much-needed rearview camera. It’s needed because there’s a lot of real estate between the driver and the tailgate: the Mega Cab’s wheelbase stretches 4,064 millimetres.
Utility and flexibility abound. There’s a large central storage box, along with numerous cubbies, pockets and twin gloveboxes. Then there’s the rear seat — the Mega Cab is 280 mm longer than the Crew Cab, which makes the rear environment limo-like.
The 2017 Ram 2500 HD not only delivers serious towing and hauling capabilities, it was remarkably refined in everyday driving, so much so, it rides and drives with more civility that the 1500.
Pricing for the 2017 2500 HD models has yet to be announced.