One bad
Ram truck
For 2007,Dodge
has assigned
the Heavy
Duty designation
to vehicles
whose load
capacities
increase
from half-ton
1500 models
to three-quarter
and one-ton
ratings.
I tested
the Power
Wagon version
from the
Heavy Duty
lineup of
Dodge Ram
pickup trucks.
After considerable
changes to
the 2006
model last
year, including
a new frame
and suspension,
a mild front
facelift
and the addition
of the Mega
Cab, 2007
models remain
relatively
unchanged.
The Heavy
Duty gets
a new diesel
engine and
automatic
transmission
along with
a few minor
refinements.
Dodge offers
three trim
levels, the
HD, ST, SLT
and Laramie,
along with
three cabs,
Regular,
Quad and
Mega. My
Power Wagon
was the SLT
Quad cab
version,
powered by
the 5.7-liter
345 horsepower
V-8 with
a five-speed
automatic
transmission
and a 4.56
axle ratio.
A six-speed
manual shifter
is available.
The Power
Wagon features
locking front
and rear
differentials,
an electronically
disconnecting
front sway
bar, a custom-built
12,000-pound
winch, and
polished
forged-aluminum
17-inch wheels
with 33-inch
BF Goodrich
tires. It
was unfortunate
that I didn’t
get an opportunity
to use the
power winch.
Ironically,
just a week
after returning
the truck
to Dodge,
I needed
to remove
a medium-sized
tree stump.
The Power
Wagon is
only offered
in the 2500-series
trucks; it
features
serious off-road
capabilities.
Ground clearance
on my 4X4
truck was
the highest
of any vehicle
I’ve ever
tested, making
entering
and exiting
the cab anything
but easy.
The step-in
height is
well above
knee level,
and there
are no running
boards, something
this truck
sorely needs.
You can also
forget about
fitting it
into your
garage.
Once behind
the wheel
the view
is commanding
and visibility
is excellent.
The rear
doors swing
open almost
90 degrees,
improving
access for
passengers
or cargo.
My Power
Wagon imposed
a commanding
presence
on the road.
Its “big
rig” appearance
included
the signature
crosshair
chrome grille
with full-chrome
collar, massive
vehicle height
and “Power
Wagon” spelled
out in individual
chrome letters
on the tailgate.
I liked the
five individual
amber-colored
roof lights
that added
to the “big
rig” look.
Inside,
the cabin
is exceptionally
roomy with
no shortage
of storage
capacity.
Rear-seat
space is
ample and
seats fold
up to create
extra cargo
room. My
Ram came
with a cloth
front bench
that seats
three adults
with its
40/20/40-folding
configuration.
Everything
about the
Ram is oversized,
including
a center
business
console with
fold-down
dividers
that can
hold a laptop
computer.
When folded
it’s the
largest center
armrest one
could hope
for.
The dash
is well laid
out with
large white-faced
gauges, hurricane
shutter style
air vents
that close
flush, and
intuitive,
easy-to-use
controls
for climate
control and
audio systems.
Negatively,
every dash
surface is
a hard textured
plastic that
looks cheap.
Dodge did
a good job
incorporating
plenty of
cupholders,
slots and
pockets on
the console
and doors.
Power outlets
are provided
for the front
seats.
I was very
comfortable
driving the
Power Wagon
on daily
commutes
and doing
a bit of
off-roading
on the weekend.
Make no mistake,
this is a
very big
vehicle and
it can be
intimidating
to drive.
Parking always
required
three-point
turns and
often opening
the driver’s
door to double-check
parking space
lines.
For such
a big truck,
it drives
pretty well.
I was pleasantly
surprised
by the smooth
ride quality
and quiet
cabin, even
at highway
speeds.
The ride
wasn’t nearly
as bouncy
and jarring
as those
I experienced
in the HD
models from
Chevy and
GMC, but
don’t expect
it to be
sedan-smooth
either.
These big
trucks are
designed
to be heavy-duty
work trucks
for ranch,
construction
and heavy
hauling.
They’re just
too much
truck for
families
and daily
commutes.
While I had
a blast driving
it as a daily
commuter,
it takes
a lot of
work in heavy
traffic and
city driving.
And, while
it doesn’t
report EPA
fuel economy
ratings due
to its size,
I barely
averaged
a dismal
10 miles
per gallon
on premium
unleaded
fuel. That’s
with the
fuel-saving
cylinder
deactivation
technology
included
on Hemi-equipped
Rams.
Safety gear
includes
front air
bags and
anti-lock
4-wheel disc
brakes.
Supplemental
side curtain
air bags
are an extra
$490. There
are no crash
test ratings,
but I felt
very safe
in the Power
Wagon given
its massive
size and
ground clearance.
My Power
Wagon had
a base price
of $33,460
and was well
optioned
with the
extra-cost
inferno red
pearl coat
paint, premium
bench seat,
SIRIUS satellite
radio, Power
Wagon off–road
equipment,
tow hooks,
fog lamps,
trailer towing
group, curtain
air bags,
automatic
transmission,
rear power
sliding window,
premium audio
system, leather
wrapped steering
wheel and
cargo bed
liner.
