Dear Forum Members,
Just joined the forum, so it's my first post but have been reading the posts for a while. Although I currently do not own a RAM, i've had Dodge trucks in the past and in the market again for one. But today I am writing with my overall impressions of a 2014 RAM 2500 crew cab 4x4 5.7 6.5 bed that I rented for 2 days this week to haul some things, but also to get a sense if a 2500 was right for me.
In no particular order:
1. The truck is huge - the dimension that surprised me the most was the height of the truck. The top of the hood, the tailgate height and the entry height are very high/tall - maybe more so in 2014 than previous years. This is not a complaint by any means...it just underpins how impressively large the Hd's are.
2. When RAM first announced rear coils in the 14's, i must admit I was skeptical and maybe even disappointed. However, after driving one for 2 days, I believe RAM hit a home run. For starters, the rear end of the coil sprung trucks is high, giving it a nice stance. Secondly, the coils are VERY firm and strong, but unlike leaf springs, there was no side to side hop when empty. The truck just went about it's business with no drama. The truck handles heavy loads with ease and with very little squat (bed of mulch in this case). There seems to be absolutely no compromise in payload or strength - the coils are massive. These are NOT your Grandfather's coils - and certainly dwarf those in the 1500's.
3. The front suspension was equally as impressive. Unlike other trucks I've owned or driven, there was NO front end dip or body roll when taking turns, or on/off ramps. The front end remained poised and always firm. It was an absolute pleasure to drive the truck with the 3 link suspension.
4. Being a 5.7 HEMI, it had a 9,000 GVWR versus the 10k GVWR that the 6.4 trucks have. The payload on the door jam was showing as 2,230 and while I realize there are payload ratings for safety and legal reasons, I doubt this truck would flinch at higher loads. It was that impressive. I can't imagine what the 6.4 truck would feel like with an additional 1,000 of GVWR capacity. I suspect the 6.4 has even stronger coils to match the stronger rear axle.
5. I don't know whether it was a 3.73 or 4.10 truck, but I'd have to guess it was a 3.73 because while in 6th gear around 45 mph, the RPM's were very low and light acceleration requests prompted an immediate downshift. I am merely guessing that the 4.10 would have responded to the acceleration request without a downshift. The 5.7 moved the truck easily especially when getting into the pedal, which I didn't do very often as I was trying to get a feel for real world fuel economy. Driving just under 100 miles, both on town roads and short highway stints, i was able to get 13.7 MPG overall. I have no idea if that is good, bad or average - you guys that own one know much better.
6. The braking - impressive to say the least. Required very little pedal effort and always felt strong under load.
7. Since it was a rental, it was SLT trim but still has some nice features including the power sliding rear window and satellite radio touchscreen with Blue Tooth. Didn't bother with pairing my phone as I only had it for 2 days but the included stereo sounded great.
The one and only thing I would like to see in the 2015 models would be an HD 8 speed, and RAM please leave the column shifter, no rotary dials in the HD's please - it would seem really out of place. The 8 speed with closer gearing would help keep the engine in it's power band better than the 6 speed did. The 6 speed wasn't bad though by any means, it just wasn't perfect.
I had to return the 'black beauty' after 2 days and by no means did I even scratch the surface of what the truck is capable of. I did use it to haul mulch and other heavy items (PA sound equipment) but didn't tow anything. The truck will remain at the top of my list as I look for a new truck, and will perhaps look to the next trim level up (Big Horn) or Laramie.
Hope this was helpful,
ScottH
Just joined the forum, so it's my first post but have been reading the posts for a while. Although I currently do not own a RAM, i've had Dodge trucks in the past and in the market again for one. But today I am writing with my overall impressions of a 2014 RAM 2500 crew cab 4x4 5.7 6.5 bed that I rented for 2 days this week to haul some things, but also to get a sense if a 2500 was right for me.
In no particular order:
1. The truck is huge - the dimension that surprised me the most was the height of the truck. The top of the hood, the tailgate height and the entry height are very high/tall - maybe more so in 2014 than previous years. This is not a complaint by any means...it just underpins how impressively large the Hd's are.
2. When RAM first announced rear coils in the 14's, i must admit I was skeptical and maybe even disappointed. However, after driving one for 2 days, I believe RAM hit a home run. For starters, the rear end of the coil sprung trucks is high, giving it a nice stance. Secondly, the coils are VERY firm and strong, but unlike leaf springs, there was no side to side hop when empty. The truck just went about it's business with no drama. The truck handles heavy loads with ease and with very little squat (bed of mulch in this case). There seems to be absolutely no compromise in payload or strength - the coils are massive. These are NOT your Grandfather's coils - and certainly dwarf those in the 1500's.
3. The front suspension was equally as impressive. Unlike other trucks I've owned or driven, there was NO front end dip or body roll when taking turns, or on/off ramps. The front end remained poised and always firm. It was an absolute pleasure to drive the truck with the 3 link suspension.
4. Being a 5.7 HEMI, it had a 9,000 GVWR versus the 10k GVWR that the 6.4 trucks have. The payload on the door jam was showing as 2,230 and while I realize there are payload ratings for safety and legal reasons, I doubt this truck would flinch at higher loads. It was that impressive. I can't imagine what the 6.4 truck would feel like with an additional 1,000 of GVWR capacity. I suspect the 6.4 has even stronger coils to match the stronger rear axle.
5. I don't know whether it was a 3.73 or 4.10 truck, but I'd have to guess it was a 3.73 because while in 6th gear around 45 mph, the RPM's were very low and light acceleration requests prompted an immediate downshift. I am merely guessing that the 4.10 would have responded to the acceleration request without a downshift. The 5.7 moved the truck easily especially when getting into the pedal, which I didn't do very often as I was trying to get a feel for real world fuel economy. Driving just under 100 miles, both on town roads and short highway stints, i was able to get 13.7 MPG overall. I have no idea if that is good, bad or average - you guys that own one know much better.
6. The braking - impressive to say the least. Required very little pedal effort and always felt strong under load.
7. Since it was a rental, it was SLT trim but still has some nice features including the power sliding rear window and satellite radio touchscreen with Blue Tooth. Didn't bother with pairing my phone as I only had it for 2 days but the included stereo sounded great.
The one and only thing I would like to see in the 2015 models would be an HD 8 speed, and RAM please leave the column shifter, no rotary dials in the HD's please - it would seem really out of place. The 8 speed with closer gearing would help keep the engine in it's power band better than the 6 speed did. The 6 speed wasn't bad though by any means, it just wasn't perfect.
I had to return the 'black beauty' after 2 days and by no means did I even scratch the surface of what the truck is capable of. I did use it to haul mulch and other heavy items (PA sound equipment) but didn't tow anything. The truck will remain at the top of my list as I look for a new truck, and will perhaps look to the next trim level up (Big Horn) or Laramie.
Hope this was helpful,
ScottH
