Ram 2500 Laramie: The Ultimate Tow Truck

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Ram 2500 Laramie: The Ultimate Tow Truck


If you need to tow a heavy load, nothing comes close to the ability offered by the new Ram 2500


Mark Short
11 March, 2016





Ram 2500 can tow almost seven tonne. Photo: Mark Short











It's only natural that the horse comes before the cart. But what if you've already got the biggest cart and can't find a horse to pull it?

That's often been the case for equestrian enthusiasts – or blokes with a big boat, couples with a cavernous caravan or tradies with a tonne (or more) of tools – that need to tow heavy loads such as floats capable of carrying more than two horses. While the latest crop of dual-cab utes that are proving to be popular family runabouts can pull a decent amount of gear (up to 3500kg) in some cases you need even more towing capacity to legally – and safely – tow the weight you want.

If this is the situation you've been facing then you'll know the choice has been fairly limited… until now, as Ram might just have the towing machine for you. In fact it's the ultimate towing machine you can drive on a regular licence, the Ram 2500.

Ram Trucks are imported into Australia by ASV (American Special Vehicles), a new venture between Australia's largest independent automotive importer and distributor Ateco Automotive and Walkinshaw Automotive Group, one of the world's leading automotive engineering companies. The iconic US trucks are comprehensively re-engineered and remanufactured to right-hand drive in Melbourne by ASV on a purpose-built production line and the vehicles are covered by a three-year, 100,00km warranty backed by the US company and a nationwide dealer network. ASV is Australia's only official importer of Ram Trucks.

Stepping up into the Ram for the first time you quickly realise that space isn't going to be an issue as there is plenty of room for six people in its large cabin that is full of goodies. The big leather front seats are heated and cooled, there's a heated steering wheel, climate control and a cranking stereo just to mention a few.

On the road the Ram is a big surprise. It has a smooth, comfortable ride, well-weighted steering for a vehicle of its size, effortless power and the biggest surprise is how quiet and refined it feels. Weighing in at 3577kg, the 4x4 Ram Laramie is a big boy but this is where its weight and the massive 6.7-litre Cummins turbo diesel reward you for towing. When the vehicle is fitted with a Pintle type attachment, the Ram 2500 can tow a hefty 6989kg. With a 70mm tow ball its capacity is reduced to 4500kg and 3500kg with the standard 50mm tow ball. The Gross Combined Mass when using a Pintle attachment is a whopping 11,479kg. That certainly makes it the ultimate towing machine!

We didn't take the Ram to its towing extreme during our test drive, but instead pulled a measly 2000kg worth of excavator over a series of steep hills and a mixture of dirt roads and highways over half a day. By the end we virtually forgot there was anything behind us; it was only on incredibly bad bumpy roads at 80km/h that we noticed any movement in the truck from the gangly excavator. Overall, the Ram was very planted the entire time and no hill was too much for the 1084Nm diesel which returned a 16L/100km fuel average while towing.

We even carried out a small performance test to verify its strength. From a standing start to 60km/h, the Ram was only 1.7 seconds slower when towing the excavator than it was unladen. That's not bad considering most cars would be similarly slower with two or three people on board.

There are not many down sides to the Ram. Parking spots are a bit harder to find, it only has a 913kg payload - which may not a big deal for most - and the $139,500 price tag (plus on road costs) is as big as the truck itself.

Obviously the Ram Laramie is not the ideal city run about or a fuel miser either, but that is not its purpose.

If you need a heavy duty vehicle to perform heavy duties, it is, just like the company says: "Ram, for when the job goes beyond ordinary".



Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4 Pricing and Specifications

Price: $139,500 plus on-road costs

Warranty: 3 years/100,000 km

Service interval: 12 months/12,000km

Safety: Not ANCAP tested but has passed ADR crash test

Engine: 6.7-litre 6-cyl Cummins turbo diesel

Power: 276kW

Torque: 1084Nm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel usage: No official figures. We averaged 13L/100km combined unladen & 16L/100km combined towing 2000kg.

Dimensions: 6027mm (L), 2009mm (W), 1974mm (H), 3797mm (WB)

Weight: 3577kg

Payload: 913kg (2500 model), 1713kg (3500 model)

Towing: 6989kg (with pintle), 4500kg (with 70mm tow ball), 3500kg (with 50mm tow ball)

- Thanks to Camden Hire for the loan of the excavator in our photoshoot

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...11-gngfr1.html

[chevypower]

I love these trucks, I have sold a lot of them. I plan to buy one to replace my F150 at some point. Glad they are selling them in Australia now, though if only it were factory made in RHD and sold for about $50k-60k less. I don't like the tacked-on side indicator light and reflectors. But I'm sure local safety regulations mandated it, and they went for the cheapest bits they could find. I wonder if the SiriusXM satellite radio works in Australia. Anyway if you're in the market, you will be impressed.

[Franco Cozzo]

One of my customers has one, wicked ute:



We've done a bit of accessory fitment on it, we're starting to see more and more of these American utes getting around the local area, there are a few new F150/F250 and F350 getting around the region now, maybe 15 or 20.

[Wretched]

but can it pass the ultimate Ford (Falcon) forum test? Have three baby seats in the back, tow a house, run the a/c, tackle the canning stock route all while hitting 100km/h in under 5 seconds?

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I love these trucks, I have sold a lot of them. I plan to buy one to replace my F150 at some point. Glad they are selling them in Australia now, though if only it were factory made in RHD and sold for about $50k-60k less. I don't like the tacked-on side indicator light and reflectors. But I'm sure local safety regulations mandated it, and they went for the cheapest bits they could find. I wonder if the SiriusXM satellite radio works in Australia. Anyway if you're in the market, you will be impressed.

I agree, look like the indicators were bought at a $2 shop.... Surely there was an oem indicator somewhere that would have been just as cheap?

[Franco Cozzo]

LED Autolamps make some nice looking side marker/indicator lamps that are LEDs and they cost $12 if that.

[TUF_302]

A 6.7ltr 6cyl, now thats a big 6!, i would have actually guessed there was an 8 pot under its hood

[barnz_xr8]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

A 6.7ltr 6cyl, now thats a big 6!, i would have actually guessed there was an 8 pot under its hood

The rams run cummins for diesels and 6.4l hemis for petrol.

(and lower specs might come with the 5.7l hemi and maybe even a petrol six banger)

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by barnz_xr8

The rams run cummins for diesels and 6.4l hemis for petrol.

(and lower specs might come with the 5.7l hemi and maybe even a petrol six banger)

Ram 1500: 3.6 V6 Pentastar (not very common), 5.7 V8 Hemi, 3.0 V6 EcoDiesel

Ram 2500: 5.7 V8 Hemi, 6.4 V8 Hemi, 6.7 I-6 Cummins

Ram 3500: same options as the 2500, plus the high output 6.7 Cummins when you order the Aisin AS69RC transmission. That engine puts out 287 kW and 1220 Nm.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

A 6.7ltr 6cyl, now thats a big 6!, i would have actually guessed there was an 8 pot under its hood

The engines weighs nearly 500kg on it own.

[FPV8U]

The pricing is still too high, if GM, Ford or Dodge get serious about this market and start designing them with RHD in mind and a price tag of around 70-80k they will dominate the market and sell a huge number.

[Giant Cranium]

Why would they even care. If they sell 7000 a year that is 1% of just f truck sales in North America in one year

[Giant Cranium]

On a side note I want a single cab f150 xlt 4x4 v8. Landcruiser ute destroyer for 40k usd

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by tempted

$140k plus onroad costs... what an absolute joke.

To put things into perspective, for that sort of money you could buy a REAL truck and still have $30k left to play with.

http://www.trucksales.com.au/buy/pri...=0&pss=Premium

Yep, that's an 'apples for apples' comparison if ever I saw one

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by tempted

$140k plus onroad costs... what an absolute joke.

To put things into perspective, for that sort of money you could buy a REAL truck and still have $30k left to play with.

http://www.trucksales.com.au/buy/pri...=0&pss=Premium

Why compare apples to watermelons??

These Dodge Rams (especially in Laramie/Longhorn spec) are a luxury car inside, can carry 5 people and tow pretty well whatever the hell you want. If you have horse floats, 5th wheelers, etc these things will do it with ease... When a bloody Landcruiser Sahara Diesel costs $127k its not such a huge jump to something like the Ram... Or even the Silverado/F Truck...

In a previous position I did a lot of work importing these New Dodge Rams (everything from 1500 Hemi's, 2500,3500, dually and even a tow truck) and having been passenger/driven a 6.7l Cummins 2500 Laramie Longhorn they are a bloody good truck... Have also done Silverado's and F Trucks in different specs but haven't had the chance to drive them...

[Giant Cranium]

Are you never happy? I think they are about 60000 usd. Add $ conversion then transport then the cost to reengineer to rhd then add profit and I can see it getting up to that price. And if someone has that money and the ram suits their lifestyle then good on them.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by tempted

I don't doubt any of that but it still doesn't change the fact that it is grossly overpriced when you consider that these sell for what, $50k or so in the states?
As good as they may be I don't see $140k worth of value in them.

At least part of that price difference can be attributed to a few things:

- Exchange USD to AUD (USD50k at yesterdays Customs exchange rate is AUD67006)
- Transport to AU- These things are built in US/Mexico (depending on Model). -- Cartage to the port in us
- Export charges/packing/freight
- import charges into AU - Duty (if applicable, some models have concessions to zero), GST, port charges, transport, unpack if containerized
- Conversion to RHD - My old clients average was between 30-40k
- Profit for the importer (no use doing it for free)

The above, and possibly more (flat out at work so probably missed something), all have to be added into the price before they even think about pricing for sale....

Obviously if this importer has a deal with Dodge USA and buys them at a dealer/wholesale price then that may make difference as well.

[FPV8U]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Why would they even care. If they sell 7000 a year that is 1% of just f truck sales in North America in one year

You mean like the RHD Mustang program?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by tempted

It wasn't intended to be a direct comparison.

Why compare them then? I can't see many Grey Nomads and people with large boats and horse floats using a 10 year old Kenworth with half a million kms on it.

Imagine trying to park in the local shop carpark in that

[mcflux]

Now THAT's a ve-hic-le! I saw a much older one of these years ago when camping & it blew me away.

BTW does anyone else think of this:



whenever you see the word "Laramie"?

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by tempted

$140k plus onroad costs... what an absolute joke.

To put things into perspective, for that sort of money you could buy a REAL truck and still have $30k left to play with.

http://www.trucksales.com.au/buy/pri...=0&pss=Premium

Compared to other vehicles in that class I think the pricing is about right!

[Interceptor]

Best way I've ever heard a Dodge Ram described was "A Ram is just a fancy packing crate for a Cummins"

That said, looking at how you can spec the heavier rated Rams in the US, they certainly do present an attractive package, they are offered with more work oriented options IMO than what either Chevrolet/GMC or Ford have.

What I've found frustrating is that if you buy a cab/chassis F350, it is downrated in terms of power, torque and towing capacity over the standard pickup.

[Trump]

I'd be onto a Laramie like a fat kid on cake if it were factory RHD.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by tempted

Because it puts into perspective what that sort of money could buy.

How much is a brand new luxury spec Kenworth?

Actually why buy new when you can get this for a steal

http://www.trucksales.com.au/buy/pri...8Price%3Drange

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by ghia5l

now that's a ve-hic-le! I saw a much older one of these years ago when camping & it blew me away.

Btw does anyone else think of this:

image

whenever you see the word "laramie"?

yes!!!

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

What I've found frustrating is that if you buy a cab/chassis F350, it is downrated in terms of power, torque and towing capacity over the standard pickup.

It's industry standard. Commercial buyers care more about cost of ownership, capability, and durability. A lower tune puts less stress on everything, as it's more likely to be used for heavy work consistently. If people care more about power and comfort but still want a flat bed, I tell them to buy a regular 2500/3500 pickup and just swap the bed. It's a different chassis, the pickup version is fully boxed all the way and kicks up at the back. So they need to check compatibility with the upfitter first. The chassis can trucks are fully boxed under the cab and then c-channel at the back with no kick up. It's industry standard for upfits.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

You mean like the RHD Mustang program?

They also grab eu with the mustang. And only sell about 100000 mustangs a year in North America. Bit of a percentage difference. And as the eu don't want full size trucks it's really only Australia that want them.

I do wish we could get them in Australia. Sign me up for a f truck for work and a escalade for family

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by chevypower

It's industry standard. Commercial buyers care more about cost of ownership, capability, and durability. A lower tune puts less stress on everything, as it's more likely to be used for heavy work consistently. If people care more about power and comfort but still want a flat bed, I tell them to buy a regular 2500/3500 pickup and just swap the bed. It's a different chassis, the pickup version is fully boxed all the way and kicks up at the back. So they need to check compatibility with the upfitter first. The chassis can trucks are fully boxed under the cab and then c-channel at the back with no kick up. It's industry standard for upfits.

Its just strange when you're coming from the Australian mindset where its just as acceptable to have a flatbed as it is to have a full bodied pickup.

Why is the chassis on the C/C only boxed under the cab? surely it would be stronger if it were boxed all the way through?

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

They also grab eu with the mustang. And only sell about 100000 mustangs a year in North America. Bit of a percentage difference. And as the eu don't want full size trucks it's really only Australia that want them.

Last time I looked the majority of EU countries were LHD....

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Last time I looked the majority of EU countries were LHD....

yeh you are right, point still stands that rhd mustang market is a lot larger than full size ute market to us and england

[Franco Cozzo]

They're really nice cars, the 2500 also still has coil springs all around so its comfortable to drive.

Its like a fully decked out luxury car inside and the conversions are done well.

If these were $80-90K they would fly out the dealerships.

Passenger side mirror costs $1100 if you break it though lol.