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10 Ideas for a Very Ram Holiday

Posted on December 23rd, 2009 by Ram Zone

Still not sure what to get for your truck-loving family and friends? We’re here to help with 10 last-minute gifts for the Ram lover on your list…

FLO TV: Chrysler Group is the first automaker in the U.S. to even offer this unique device, which offers 20 channels of live, mobile TV programming. A must-have for commuters and road-warriors alike. It’s available on any 2010 Ram vehicles as a dealer-installed option, and may also be added to equipment systems on select 2008-2009 models. ($629)

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Watch the Ram 1500 Out-Tow the Ford F-150

Posted on December 22nd, 2009 by Ram Zone

There’s no question that Ram engineers love what they do, and they take their trucks’ performance very, very seriously. So when the time came to take a trip out west to put the new Ram 1500 through its paces, what do you think they did?

They brought the competition along, of course, namely a Ford F-150. What happened? Hard evidence that the Ram 1500 can seriously out-tow the Ford F-150. And they proved it several times.

One of the tests that the Ram engineers performed was the ability to tow a trailer up a mountain. When trailer tow weight ratings are figured out, they’re done according to standards set by each individual manufacturer based on what they consider to be “optimal” for their consumers. Basically, there is no single standard that all truck-makers need to follow.

Let’s just say that we like to hold Ram up to a higher standard.

So the Ram engineers wanted to fully understand how the Ram 1500 stacked up versus the Ford F-150 in uphill towing. They took a pre-production 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie and a 2009 F-150 Lariat (which was further equipped with Ford’s maximum towing package) and loaded up two trailers to get to a gross combined weight of 15,500 lbs. – and put the two vehicles through a series of tests.

So, despite the fact that the Ford F-150’s gross combined weight (GCW) rating is actually higher than the Ram 1500’s — 17,100 lbs. versus 15,500 lbs., respectively — those are just numbers.

And the numbers sometimes don’t tell the whole story, especially in real life situations. Like towing a trailer up a grade at wide-open throttle (aka WOT – think “pedal to the metal”).

Why? To prove that Ram 1500 is truly superior when the towing gets rough.

The Ram has a higher combination of horsepower and torque in its 5.7L HEMI V8 – 390 hp and 407 lbs-ft to be exact. But the Ram 1500 also employs a combination of both mechanical and electronic fans to deliver a superior cooling system. And when towing those heavy loads, the Dodge Ram’s Rear Coil Spring Suspension provides 25% more lateral stiffness, resulting in a more stable and secure ride.

So the Ram 1500 not only delivers more power and stability, but also keeps its cool when needed.

Want to see proof? Watch the video of the Ram 1500 vs. Ford F-150 uphill tow:

Before You Hit the Road, Check This Closure List

Posted on December 21st, 2009 by Ram Zone

‘Tis the season — for hitting the highway. Many families will be packing up their vehicles over the next few days and taking the kids to visit relatives out of state. And as all parents know, traveling, whether with or without kids, means plenty of pit stops for snacks, bathroom breaks, or merely stretching legs. But this year adds a new wrinkle: Recent budget cuts have actually forced many states to start shuttering some of their rest stops to make ends meet; particularly hard hit are Arizona, Virginia, Louisiana and California. There is some good news, though — with a little advance planning (and this clickable list of rest stop closures by state [scroll down]), you can make sure you don’t get stranded driving another 65 miles to the next rest area when your kids have to go.

Build a Ram without Leaving Your Computer

Posted on December 18th, 2009 by Ram Zone

Thinking about buying a Ram truck but not quite sure what package you want? Well, now you can take a spin through all of the different options with the new Build My Own function at RamTrucks.com. Whether you want a 1500, 2500/3500, or Chassis Cab, within a few clicks you can customize everything from paint color and cab and box style to engine and transmission — not to mention all the little extras — to create your own dream truck. All options are broken down by cost and tallied as you go, and at the end you can click to have dealers near you give you a quote on your vehicle. Happy building!

Ram Engineers Hit the Road for a Real Focus Group

Posted on December 17th, 2009 by Ram Zone

How do the people who build your Ram decide what features and improvements a new model needs? Instead of relying on studies, statistics, and claims of competitors, Ram engineers hit the road to actually sit in the truck with real working men and women, as you can see in this video from Talladega.

“What really makes me proud is that we focus on the customer,” explains Scott Kunselman, Ram’s Senior Vice President – Engineering. “Our engineers realize that the customer is what makes the most difference.” Especially when they’re willing to airbrush the Ram logo on their heads…

Ram 1500 Named a Best Deal of December

Posted on December 16th, 2009 by Ram Zone

Looking to buy a light-duty truck before the end of the year and want to make sure you get the best value? Don’t just listen to us: AOL Autos, citing a deal where you can get $5,000 or more back, has picked the Ram 1500 as one of its best deals of the month — just in time for the holidays!

Watch the 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Highlights

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by Ram Zone

If you missed our coverage last week of the Ram Heavy Duty being named Motor Trend‘s 2010 Truck of the Year, here’s a quick video recap. Among the highlights: Motor Trend Senior Editor Edward Loh discusses how Ram HD was a “unanimous decision” among the judges, Ram CEO Fred Diaz talks about the team effort to show the world that Ram makes the best trucks around, and Chrysler Vice President – Product Planning Joe Veltri speaks to the Chrysler revolution in design and quality. To get more in-depth coverage, visit RamZone.com/RamHD.

Check Out the New Ram HD Spot

Posted on December 13th, 2009 by Ram Zone

Our new Ram Heavy Duty commercial first aired earlier today during the NFL games — we hope you got a chance to see it on your big screen. If you missed it, click at left to watch it here and post a comment below. We’d love to hear what you guys think!

Check Out the New Ram HD Spot

Posted on December 13th, 2009 by Ram Zone

Our new Ram Heavy Duty commercial first aired earlier today during the NFL games — we hope you got a chance to see it on your big screen. If you missed it, click at left to watch it here and post a comment below. We’d love to hear what you guys think!

Watch Ram CEO Fred Diaz Talk about What this Award Means for Ram

Posted on December 10th, 2009 by Ram Zone

Part 1: After the awards ceremony, Ram CEO Fred Diaz talked a bit about what the 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award means for the Ram brand, especially barely a month after becoming its own brand. “It’s incredible for the brand, and more importantly for the corporation, because it signals to the world that we are serious, and we are capable,” Diaz said. “We have the courage, the teamwork, and the passion to build a world-class truck on a world-class stage.”