Ram 1500

The Dodge Ram 1500 has been around for a while. This vehicle first came onto the truck scene in 1981. It started as a more lightweight truck option, but it expanded into a full-size and heavy-duty truck model. The second generation of the Ram truck started in 1993, and the third generation started in 2002. The fourth generation of Ram 1500 trucks goes from 2009 through 2018, so if you are looking into getting used Ram truck, it will likely be a third or fourth generation.

The Ram 1500 has a lot to offer you. This truck has been around for a while because it offers you a great performance as well as great style and features. You can learn more about the Ram 1500 below when we take a closer look at the performance, exterior, interior, technology, and safety of this truck.

Performance and Engine Options

A full-size truck like the Ram 1500 is a great option because it allows you the performance you need for tough jobs. Whether it is towing and hauling for work or for play, the Ram 1500 can be a great option because it performs well for you. When you look at the performance of a truck, there are a few key things to take a look at. Those include the engine options, the towing capacity, and the payload capacity. You can also check out performance features like the fuel efficiency and off-road features for performance. Learn more about this for the Ram 1500 below.

• Engine Options – The exact engine in your Ram 1500 will depend upon the model year and the trim level. The Ram 1500 usually has several different engine options for any given year. Over the last several years, the base engine for the Ram has been a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces around 300-horsepower. Other common engine options offered in the Ram 1500 are a few V8 engine options. One popular V8 engine is the 5.7-liter V8 engine option, which produces closer to 400-horsepower. The Ram 1500 also has an EcoDiesel engine option, but this is only available on the 2014 Ram 1500 or newer models. Both a V8 option and the diesel engine option can be great for towing heavier loads. You will need to check out the specific used Ram model to determine which engine option it has.
• Towing Capacity – Towing capacity is something that is very important in a truck. This describes the amount in pounds that your truck can tow. The exact towing capability of your truck will depend on the model year and the engine you have in your Ram 1500. However, many Ram trucks can tow over 10,000 pounds, which offers you a lot of capability. For example, the 2014 Ram 1500 can tow up to 10,540 pounds, and the 2017 Ram 1500 can tow up to 10,660 pounds.
• Payload Capacity – Payload capacity describes the amount your truck can haul including the bed and the cab. That means there are a lot of factors that go into determining what this number is. However, you can expect it to be between 1,200 and 2,300 pounds for most Ram 1500 trucks.
• Off-Road Features – When it comes to performance, the Ram 1500 is also known to give you some great off-road features and capability. The exact features depend on the model year, but you have some great options in terms of off-road performance with all the Ram 1500 Rebel trims. Some of the off-road features these models may contain include Bilstein off-road shocks, hill descent control, skid plates, tow hooks, a four-corner air suspension, off-road wheels, and off-road tires.
• Fuel Efficiency – Fuel efficiency is never going to be amazing with a truck, but you get solid fuel efficiency in the Ram 1500. Depending on the engine option, you can expect to get 13 to 18 city miles per gallon and 19 to 25 highway miles per gallon. Newer Ram 1500 models do have a mild hybrid system to help out with fuel efficiency.

As you can see, the Ram 1500 has a lot to offer you. If you have any questions about the performance of a specific model year, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tim’s Truck.

Exterior

The exterior of the Ram 1500 was built to look strong and capable. It offers you features like a large grille, LED headlights, the RamBox cargo management system, and more. The exact features depend upon the model you choose, but the Ram 1500 always offers you a great look combined with great capability. You can also get a few different bed lengths in the Ram 1500 depending on the model and the cab. There is an 8-foot bed, a 6-foot 4-inch bed, and a 5-foot 7-inch bed.

The Ram 1500 also has several different trim level options that can have different exterior features as well as different interior features. The common trim options are the Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Sport, Rebel Laramie Longhorn, and Limited. The Rebel is known as the off-road trim option, while the Limited is known to offer a lot of high-end features. Be sure to check out the different options when you are shopping.

Interior

On the inside of the Ram 1500, you can find comfortable seating for three to six people depending upon the cab option. Most Ram 1500 models come standard with vinyl upholstery or cloth upholstery, but there is the option of leather upholstery or premium leather upholstery. There are also options like heated and ventilated front and rear seats depending on the model.

With the Ram 1500, you have three different cab options that will determine your passenger capacity. If you are someone who will not be having many passengers, you might want to go with the Regular Cab. The Regular Cab option seats just three people, but it can allow you more room to tow and haul supplies. If you are looking for more space for passengers, the Quad Cab or Crew Cab are the options for you because both of these have a second row of seating and can seat up to six people. The Crew Cab offers you more space for your rear passengers, so if people will be frequently riding in the second row, this could be a good option.

Technology

Our trucks and cars are becoming more technologically advanced with each passing year. Technology features can add convenience into your daily life, so it can be something important to consider when you are looking into purchasing your next vehicle. Throughout the years, the Ram 1500 has added more technology features. Below, you can take a look at some of the features that have been added. This can help you determine what year of a Ram 1500 you are looking for based on the technology features offered.

• The 2012 Ram 1500 offers you features like Bluetooth and a rearview camera.
• In 2014, you can find an 8.4-inch touchscreen display and a Uconnect infotainment system in the Ram 1500.
• The 2017 Ram 1500 has features like a proximity key, remote start, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
• In 2018, the Ram 1500 added smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means if you want access to this technology, you have to get a 2018 model or newer.

There are also some great safety features and safety technology in the Ram 1500 that you can learn more about below.

Safety

Safety is an important consideration with any vehicle. You want to know that your vehicle will protect you. The Ram 1500 is a great option for safety from its construction to the safety technology it offers.

• Safer Design – The design of the Ram 1500 was created to be safer for you and your passengers. For example, the 2017 Ram 1500 was given a 5-star rating for side impact safety because of the construction of this vehicle.
• Active Safety Technology – The exact safety technology found on the Ram 1500 depends on its model year. Dating all the way back to the 2012 Ram 1500, you have safety technology like a rearview camera. The 2013 Ram offers you rear parking sensors. Newer Ram models offer you features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

There will be different safety features and different safety ratings for different Ram models, but you can trust that these vehicles are going to be a safe option for you.

From this Ram 1500 model review, you have learned that this truck has a powerful presence and performance. It offers you plenty of towing capability and even some off-road capability many of its competitors don’t have. This vehicle also has some great technology features as well as an interior to comfort you. You can check out different Ram 1500 models at Tim’s Truck Capital.