2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn
MSRP $46,500.00
“The 2014 Ram 2500 4×4 Laramie Longhorn, especially with the Cummins turbo diesel engine, is not only a luxury truck for the country king, it may be the best truck money can buy on the market.”
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Blocky, but polished and extremely masculine style
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Outstanding ride and handling for a heavy truck
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Fuel economy
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Interior space and refinement
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Ability
Against
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Urban driving task
With my foot firmly planted on the gas, I raced the 2014 Ram 2500 4×4 Laramie Longhorn up the North Oregon Coast Mountain outside of Tillamook, my coonhound howling in pain from the backseat.
Flying past weekend warriors and campers, I drove the 10,000 pound truck through mountain passes back toward Portland at breakneck speed. With each new turn, the tires screeched a little louder than the last, almost in tune with the wailing of my wounded dog. Driving a full-size truck literally on the border, while undeniably memorable, was not how I envisioned my time with the diesel leviathan.
However, this is exactly where I found myself last Sunday. Before we get to the fishtail truck and the wounded hound, we need some background.
Colossus clad in steel
When the brown-and-tan two-tone four-door Ram 2500—complete with amber roof lights—was delivered to my downtown apartment, I paused in awe. I had driven a then-new 2013 Ram 1500, so I felt ready to pilot the 2500. Unfortunately for me, the 1500 paled in comparison to its bigger, heavier brother.
Amazingly, even though the colossus is clad in steel, the 2500 is still quite a handsome beast. The new 2500 is not only better to see, but also more slippery in the wind. For example, full-length racks not only make the truck more accessible, but also more aerodynamic. Ram designers managed to improve the exterior styling and improve airflow. And pushing a big, blocky truck around, the engine is going to need all the help it can get… and what an engine it is.
Under the hood of my 2500 was an optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel inline six. The solid block of iron, when diesel-injected, produces 385 horsepower and a simply incredible 850 pound-feet of torque. Ram now fits all 2500 models with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard; no manual is offered.
Although this American-made diesel shaker produces more torque than the moon needs to create Earth’s tides, it’s still relatively efficient. However, looking at the window sticker won’t give you any solid fuel economy data. Ram is quick to remind readers that full-size trucks do not require EPA performance testing. So instead of mpg numbers, buyers will find “N/A.” Anecdotally, I can confidently report that the Cummins averaged 18 mpg during my time with it.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Ram 2500; mine, however, was equipped with 4×4, which had several settings, none of which I played with. The sun-baked asphalt in Oregon left me with more than enough grip.
Village king
The interiors of full-size trucks of the past, for example, lacked refinement. Ram 2500 no. Designers have added supple leather and real wood to the blocky but well-shaped panel, creating a place fit for a country king.
I was driving a 10,000 pound truck through mountain passes back toward Portland at breakneck speed.
Unlike previous Rams, the entertainment on the dashboard is not only a multitude of cup holders and storage containers, but also the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. We’ve already discussed this in other Chrysler products, so I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice to say, Uconnect does more – easier – than most any other system on the planet.
Cleverly, Uconnect has also received a bit of a makeover. The color scheme of the Uconnect on my 2014 Ram matches the color scheme of the truck’s interior. It’s probably not a detail that most people will notice. But it’s the attention to detail we saw a little while ago in Ram.
If passengers are overwhelmed by the technology in the Uconnect system, they should not look at the instrument panel. Ram has also installed another color info screen there. Controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can scroll through dozens of screens, conveying anything from the temperature of the transmission fluid to what station is being broadcast via satellite radio.
Good intentions
When my best friend and I went on an afternoon fishing trip, as city slickers, our goal was to embrace the full Ram lifestyle. Accordingly, we turned on the country radio and hit the road.
Our first stop was Wal-Mart. There we bought a fishing reel, bait and some sandwiches. We threw them all in the back of the Ram, along with my six-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound, Ruger, and headed for the Tillamook State Forest.
During the previous week with Ram, I mostly wrestled Ram on the streets of downtown Portland. Fortunately, Ram equipped the 2500 with optional convex side mirrors, which allowed me to keep an eye on the truck’s corners at all times. Even with them, the truck was a bit of a headache to maneuver through town.
Hitting the open road allowed me to furrow my brow a bit, as the Ram 2500 felt most at home on the highway. I have owned and driven many full size trucks in my lifetime. Accordingly, I expected certain driving dynamics from Ram. Basically, I expected it to handle like a sledgehammer. To my delight, there was a bit more flavor than that.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Ruger especially enjoyed the Ram 2500, as he could stick his head out to the side along the cabin, ears flapping in the wind, enjoying the fresh country air full of nose. Ruger has always responded with great excitement to the sound of a healthy diesel engine. Maybe it’s in his blood. I don’t know Anyway, I could tell he was looking forward to Ram.
As with any good full-size truck, the suspension was firm. However, it was not unforgivably so. Braking was also truck-like, but unlike the constant fear of death provided by Ford’s full-size truck brakes, the Ram’s were more grabby and responsive. The steering was also direct and responsive.
Funnily enough, the Laramie Longhorn’s wood-trimmed steering wheel is simply massive. With my hands at 10 and 2, I felt less like I was holding a tight steering wheel than like I was massaging the shoulders of a gorilla.
Hooking a 77-kilo
When my friend, the dog and I got to the fishing spot, we drove over the river rocks to the ideal spot on the water and unloaded.
With the Ruger running around the bank, my friend and I set up a fishing hook, tied it on the hook, spread some neon pink bait, and took turns casting into the water. After half an hour without a single bite, I decided to turn to my sandwich. I handed the pole to my friend and went to the truck.
Even though the colossus is clad in steel, the 2500 is still a pretty handsome beast.
I hadn’t gone more than a few feet when I heard an ear-splitting howl. At that moment I knew that my friend had accidentally hooked my dog. As I turned, I saw a hook embedded in Ruger’s left rear leg. Before he could escape, I grabbed him and tried to pull the hook out. This only added insult to Ruger’s injury.
In a bit of a panic and a cloud of expletives, my friend and I threw the Ruger in the back of the Ram and headed for the highway. Since it was a Sunday, we knew that no vet in the small town would be working. Our best plan of action would be to find one in Portland, which was an hour and a half away. To limit my puppy’s suffering, I would have to put down the hammer.
As we rejoined the freeway, I floored the gas and found the best way to test the driving capabilities of a full-size truck: amazement.
Bringing the hammer down hard, I pushed Ram to his limits and mine. Incredibly, the Ram 2500 can corner a mountain pass at 25 mph at about 70 before the tail starts to kick out.
In the rearview mirror I could see Ruger being tossed from side to side in his back, the hook still firmly planted in his leg. Realizing that a healthy jolt outweighed the prolonged suffering caused by a leisurely driving speed, I kept the throttle wide open.
The otherwise beautiful green scenery of Oregon and the RV, as well as the dotted yellow lines on the freeway, blurred in my periphery as we bumped back toward Portland. The Ram 2500 was powerful. It drove more briskly—driving hard and fast through the hills—than the GMC Sierra even at a snail’s pace. I drove that truck harder than I would drive any other vehicle in those conditions and it never misbehaved or failed.
Despite the Ruger’s wailing, the Ram’s cabin was remarkably quiet. We had the air conditioning on full blast, complete with cooled seats. Perhaps most amazingly—ignoring the big truck’s sports car-like handling capabilities—the 6.7-liter Cummins was still faithful at 18 mpg. It proves the powertrain’s resilience: I think you could set your watch to that engine.
Said and done
You’ll be happy to know that Ruger is fine and after an hour of discomfort the vet was able to remove the hook without a problem. It is now mounted on the wall above my desk at home, next to pictures of the puppy.
Despite our misfortune, I think Ruger – like me – still has a strong place for diesel trucks in his heart. And he could do no worse than love the 2014 Ram 2500. It truly is one of the best.
Tall
- Blocky, but polished and extremely masculine style
- Outstanding ride and handling for a heavy truck
- Fuel economy
- Interior space and refinement
- Ability
Falls
- Urban driving task
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn