WASHINGTON — Like smaller, light-duty trucks that have seen a push toward more luxury, the more capable heavy-duty trucks are following suit.
There are seven different models for the Ram 2500, plus different cab and bed sizes and several engine options. This week, we look at the middle of those seven models with the Ram 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab.
You want a heavy-duty truck for added capability. This Ram 2500 Big Horn came ready to work with the optional $9,200, 6.7 L Cummins diesel engine with 800 pounds feet of torque. A pricey option but it allows you to tow 17,140 pounds or haul over 2,300 pounds in the bed. I would say I put the Ram 2500 to the test but my runs to the dump with leaves and tree limbs didn’t.
Driving the Ram 2500 takes a bit of getting used to. The truck is large and long with a wide body. You take up a lane; the first time I drove during rush hour on Connecticut Avenue, where the lanes are narrow, was eye-opening.
Parking in tight spaces and driving in the city takes a bit of extra care. Learn the height of the truck so there isn’t a parking-garage mishap.
The ride is really good, less bounce over bumps than the competition and more like a light-duty truck.
Power from the turbo diesel is good, easily moving the truck quickly with that cool diesel sound.
Steering is a bit heavy at times and it doesn’t feel as light as the Ford 250 I tested earlier.
Fuel economy was good for a heavy-duty truck, which isn’t EPA-tested. I managed 16.7 mpg of mixed driving.
The size really stands out when you move to the heavy-duty truck. The Ram 2500 seems even larger with the menacing blacked-out, large grill that’s front and center and part of the $2,795 special Night edition.
The package adds large 20-inch wheels and more blacked-out trim and body color for the handles and fender flares.
The paint color Delmonico Red stands out and looks sharp, a welcome change for a big truck.
The Ram 2500 with 4WD sits high, parking next to a light-duty pickup, such as Ram 1500, makes that sizable vehicle look small.
My tester came with the $545 off-road package that adds tow hooks, skid plates, and special Bilstein off-road shocks that give it a more rough and tumble appearance.
Out back the bed is high and not easy to get in for smaller folks. The optional $1,295 RamBox takes a bit of the bed space but adds handy lockable storage areas. The bed has four adjustable cargo tie downs, a cargo divider and extender to allow longer loads to be safely hauled.
The inside the Ram 2500 Big Horn is probably the biggest departure for these heavy duty pickups. No longer sparse and loud, the mid-level version was nicely equipped for a price. My loaded Big Horn crew cab came in at $65,860, and there are higher versions of the truck. For that price, you have plenty of room for six, as the frontbench seat can seat three people.
Leather was an $895 option but it adds ventilation and power controls for the front seats. The leather steering wheel is a nice touch, and controls on the wheel for the radio are large enough to use with work gloves on.
The optional U-connect system with large 8.4-inch screen is easy to use and it works well. A few people over the week said there where too many buttons and knobs under the large screen for their taste, but I would rather have that than menu-surf, taking my eyes off the road.
Back seats have plenty of space for three adults and the doors open wide for easy entry and exit. There was a convenient remote start system for automatic equipped trucks only.
The Ram 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab is a very capable heavy-duty pickup with a tough go-anywhere attitude and look that that stands out in the lucrative heavy-duty pickup market.
Even more it treats driver and passengers to a less truck-like environment with an easy ride.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
