Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab SLT 4X2 Big Horn Edition pick up truck. Wow… my first truck was a Chevy ½ ton pick up. Life was simpler then I think.
Well what can I say about my favorite pick up… this is a very handsome truck with the convenience of a full size cab and the quality of a Cummins Diesel engine. Brother John is a mechanic, trucker, and all around do it all kinda guy and I trust his judgment. . . a lot. When John found an 18 wheel dump truck for me to buy it had to be a Peterbilt with a Cummins Diesel. Ok, so that personal preference but truckers talk and I suspect there is a lot of agreement in those circles.
My own Ram 3500 has a Cummins with 260,000 uninterupted service miles of driving and hard work. John tells me Cummins diesels routinely get over a million miles before rebuilding is necessary. But like our government if he told me often enough it would get a Billion or even a Trillion I would believe that too. Hey, John wouldn’t lie to me……….. would he? If he ran for congress I might change my opinion… speaking of opinion…
Parts – US/Canadian 53%, Mexico 18%
Assembly – Saltillo, Mexico.
Class: – Heavy Duty Vehicle
Cars: – Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Durango Hybrid, Grand Caravan, Journey, Magnum, Nitro, Ram 15-25-3500, Sprinter, Sprinter Wagon & Viper.
Here is one persons thought to improve travel on our highways. “Have you noticed the flashing electric signs on the freeway that tell you it is 14 minutes to some point of travel? Well, to Cal Trans or any other road Czars I might suggest that flashing the average speed between those points would be more informative. Then folks could set their cruise control at that speed and everyone would get to their destination more safely and in the same amount of time. No more rabbit starts and screeching stops and that means fewer accidents and less traffic jams. That simple information would help us to know what the traffic picture is like up ahead.”
What’s your thought or idea on how our driving experience could be improved?
Handling & Performance:
Well, what can I say, this is a truck and I should expect to wear a kidney belt when driving on the freeway cement without a load. And I shouldn’t really try to talk on my (hands free) cell phone either. If you’ve been there, done that you know what I mean.
Styling:
It has been the king of the road for most of the past in truck history and that which exudes confidence that this truck can get the job done.
Fit and Finish:
Very good.
Cost:
In this class of work horse all are close even if a little pricey for what they deliver.
Conveniences and comfort:
For this kind of vehicle I would opt for a back up sensor because although visibility is quite good when empty, it is not with a load.
On the whole we know trucks have evolved to be more like luxury passenger vehicles than work trucks and this Ram is no exception. They are so well equipped they cost more than I like to pay for a work vehicle. In a very short period of time all that beautiful stuff is trashed anyway, so I’d opt to pay much less and get the basics. However, that being said trucks today are hot and fewer are actually used for real serious work. I can just imagine the boss asking the guys to sit in the bed so they won’t dirty the seats.
Consumer Recommendation:
If you are a Ford guy test the GM and Chrysler offerings and visa versa. You may find a change is in your future.
Recognized Competition:
Dodge Ram 3500 $36-51,000, GMC Sierra 3500 HD $31-44,000, Ford F450 Super Duty $42-54,000, Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD $31-44,000, Ford F-350 Super Duty $26-42,000.
Good News:
Great styling, tough work vehicle, comfortable cab appointments, powerful and long life Cummins engine.
Bad News:
35 gal fuel tank (because you need it).
Standard Equipment:
6.7 liter Cummins Turbo Diesel 350 hp engine, 6 speed automatic transmission, 35 gal fuel tank, anti spin differential rear axle, heavy duty engine cooling, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, diesel exhaust brake, rear power sliding window, tinted glass, remote keyless entry, sentry key / theft deterrent system, cruise control, power windows and locks, power rack & pinion steering, front stabilizer bar, 750 amp maintenance free battery, air conditioning, tilt steering col, stereo with CD player, Sirius satellite radio, 40/20/40 split bench seat, rear folding seat, stain repellant fabric, rear under seat storage compartment, Overhead console with trip computer.
Gas Stats:
$2.85/ Gal avg. September 4, ‘09
for more information.
n/a City and n/a Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $42,365.
