2014 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van Up Close & Personal Review

( www.TFLtruck.com ) The 2014 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van is an Italian immigrant that has across the pond to work in America. In Europe this Van is called the Ducato, but here it is being sold under the Ram truck brand. It can be purchased in dozens of different configurations to suit the needs of small and large business owners alike. In another accurate, fun and informative review Nathan gets up close and personal with the 2014 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van.
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[@1guyin10]

Having the handbrake outboard of the driver's seat gets it out of the way if you have to move between the front seats and the rear of the van. Think about swinging your seat around in an RV application and having to avoid a parking brake.

[@LysergikFuneral]

Nathan, you're the best. Never change.

[@LaterMeansBrick]

It's a sad thing that the us version lacks the European 6 speed + reverse manual gearbox. Currently i am driving the 2.3 ducato multijet 120, 4 pot with the above mentioned gearbox. i love it.

[@bigbaldme]

You cracked me up! Thanks for going into detail and pointing out weird stuff!

[@mibars]

Ah, and that tilting seat: Yes, it's probably for taking naps :) As vans are usually purchased in less than 3,5t GVWR they are excluded from work time limits so this is nothing unusual to see a van going cross Europe driving 15h/day because it is way faster than using actual truck that has to stop a lot for required breaks. Some vand even have sleepers over the cab and are often running overloaded (2-3 times)

[@cal920c]

One thing you should add, is what tires it uses, I know it's weird, but, small companies actually care what tires are on the trucks, the smaller wheel tires cost less than those giant showy rims.

[@Kevbo380]

You guys need to have a "delivery off" episode with all the new vans!

[@guyproulx1660]

it's a great idea to have tilting seats so you can have a nap while you wait for the tow truck lol

[@cattsmahal1005]

So informative. I'm on the market to find the perfect one to convert to a camp van.

[@cattsmahal1005]

I just bought one in Oct. 2019. It’s a 2019 2500 136”. Love it!

[@NullZer0]

Nice shirt brother! And great review. I am hooked on this van and plan to get one for traveling. That last bit with the seat, a lot of girls love sitting that way on road trips. Don't you see toes everywhere when you are going down the road?

[@pucus21]

Great van, already seen them on the road and it looks much better then the old vans lol that you see all over the place

[@mibars]

They may look like a spaceship and are very plastic, but Euro buyers love them: Last year in Poland Ducato/Boxer/Jumper trio outsold second competitor by more than twice. Chrome, stylish details and massive boxy front might look cool, but no one cares if it makes you no extra money for extra purchase and fuel cost. US and Euro markets differ a lot, so time will show if buyers will prefer city-oriented FWD Euro van over big, classic and familiar US designs.

[@cpufreak101]

So far 3 years after this comment was made, I mostly still see econoline vans :P though in terms of new, it's a mix between the Promaster and the Transit. harder to tell the express since it hasn't had an update in 10 years, though that is still very common (the only vans that is in the school's fleet to be honest)

[@Park_Place]

No, ProMaster isn't as popular is in Europe. Amazingly, Ford is still the biggest van company in the US, even after replacing the iconic Econoline with the Transit

[@mibars]

@@Park_Place I wonder if offering European smaller diesel engines would impact this: In US FCA offers only the least efficient (but most powerful) 3.0 diesel and US-specific V6 gas engine.

[@decebal106]

The thing with the passenger I love it! You can have such a nice sleep there!

[@donbain4425]

Very helpful I enjoyed your sense of humor .

[@shiftoptionk1976]

in the 90s my parents rented a oldsmobile minivan. seats recined same way

[@1tylerproud]

Is this van available as a passenger van?

[@user-po6hn9id1t]

Tyler Proud in my country we have them as ambulances too

[@1tylerproud]

What is the best big passenger van available today? I've got an 2008 Chevy express and it's ok but not a great van.

[@OutdoorAesthetics]

for passengers a Honda odyssey the only van I would consider for my family

[@noilldecide]

uncoolkid2 hahahahaha

[@jamienorman2622]

I'd say wait for the Transit! It's a work horse for many cab companies in Europe. (where I live theres a cab company, small fleet of 30, 10 are a variety of Transit 8 to 16 seat mini buses).

[@johnlennon1913]

THIS IS THE ITALIAN "FIAT DUCATO" . GREAT VAN

[@meyawabdulaziz3863]

i love vans...

[@keeponsearchingearth1543]

Love it. I'm gonna buy the tall version and retrofit it as a camper with bed and cupboards and travel North America in it :)

[@swmiconnect1205]

Martin I can help you with that purchase when you are ready!!! Brad Hiestand Commercial Sales Manager Seelye Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Paw Paw MI. 269-657-3124

[@keeponsearchingearth1543]

Thank you, Thank you :)

[@dpajc056]

just a stupid question really, but as a regular individual, can you buy and register (insure) one of these for daily use, or would you need to have some sort of commercial license/business?

[@dpajc056]

+Youcef Bekhouche thanks!

[@ometec]

The problem would be getting a bank or credit union to finance you as a POV -mine wouldn't.

[@Superdsheppard]

Nice van!!!

[@EstudioDeGrabacionMasterMusic]

I love it .. where can I buy it .. I live in Costa Rica

[@GT-gt4bf]

Great review, Nathan!

[@ManuelPerez-jx1yt]

How much could it tow?

[@irisireneful]

I heard the seats are uncomfortable in this van, and that they feel like they are leaning forward. Did it feel that way to you?

[@ometec]

ok cu ft sounds good, what was the sq ft?

[@Gabe731]

Just remember that in Italy they take 2hr lunch breaks. The seat probably tilts like that for napping.

[@ricric1]

I have a 2016 118,000 already needs motor work smh

[@gerry2893]

6 years later can you tell us how everything worked out with it? I’m seriously thinking on getting one. Would you recommend it? Thanks 🙏

[@brandonfriesen5389]

I saw one on the road today. I almost went into the ditch I barfed so much

[@KESTRAL23]

WHAT

[@charger7022]

can you get it with seats in the back!

[@Fireman9ify]

Typical European van, but normally it would be diesel powered with a maunal box. This is old looking technology from about 2005. Looks like shared platform with opel, renualt and peugeot

[@johnwang9914]

It's the Fiat Ducato, that's why it looks like an old European van because it is. Unfortunately, American manufacturers are adamantly against diesel engines in vehicles that are not trucks. Due to North American diesel being high in sulfur, diesel passenger vehicles were never popular in North America so the big three saw keeping diesel out of the market crucial in keeping out European competitors. When Mercedes came out with the sulfur removing catalytic converter in the early 90's, they made a big push into the US market placing full page ads in the New York Times, the most expensive way to advertise back then, aside from the Superbowl. In response to this incursion, the big three lobbied for ultra low sulfur diesel to be provided at gas stations catering to passenger vehicles which doubled the price for diesel overnight and negated ant advantage Mercedes had. The big three also lobbied the EPA to ignore nitrous oxide emissions on gasoline engines on the basis that nitrous oxide levels did not correlate with smog levels while ozone levels did so the EPA started measuring ozone instead never mind the fact that the ozone was produced mostly by sunshine. This allowed them to bring back the 300 HP plus muscle cars and the hemi engine, before this change a sports car had between 120 HP to 170 HP. They never removed the nitrous oxide emission restrictions fromm diesels so diesels required urea to be sprayed into it's exhaust to decompose nitrous oxide back into the nitrogen and oxygen from whence it came. In Europe, this DEF (40% urea) was put into a small tank and filled when you filled the fuel tank, that's why there's an unused circular cut out under the fuel cap on the Promaster, but the EPA required no operator action for any emission control device so diesels in North America had their DEF filled up during oil changes hence a passenger vehicle needed a 5 gallon tank. The Volkswagen debacle was that instead of finding room for the larger DEF tank often by forgoing the spare tire, they programmed the computer to only use DEF when the ODB was hooked up for emissions testing. There was nothing wrong with the engine and certainly no need for all those customers to return their vehicles and insist on a refund, besides nitrous oxide emissions during the evening or at night settle to the ground before they could interact with ozone from the Sun to form smog. Surprisingly, many diesels produced by the American big three in Europe had the same software prompting many Europeans to return their vehicles and insist on refunds again for no good reasons. Anyways, the big three are really against selling you a diesel in North America and not only charge a premium for a diesel ($4,000 extra for the Promaster) and charge a premium for diesel maintenance as well as train very few of their mechanics for servicing diesels never mind that they get very little experience working on diesels. However diesels are really good when there's a run on gasoline as there was during the Hurricane Rita evacuation, the gas stations ran out of gasoline but not of diesel. So if you ever expect chaos to erupt in US society, a diesel can take you to safety.

[@coyote102076]

Like the van. Good feature options like the 6 way adjustable driver seat. WORST paint job I have ever seen on any new vehicle. Ever. Dads YUGO had better looking paint than the new one I test drove. And the front end: Fugly!!!!! But, for all it does, it is efficient and so far reliable. Good review Nathan. :-)

[@gordonmccracken1209]

FWD transmissions and heavy loads usually do not last.

[@AdmiralRustyShackleford]

it'll be junk, we had a RWD dually Sprinter at work that regularly hauled thousands of pounds of equipment and the suspension broke twice so i can tell you this one won't hold up; if you really need hauling capacity, you need at least a 3/4 ton truck chassis and a large turbo diesel

[@brain96969]

Good truck

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

Great review. Extensive.

[@zackzander4425]

My mom taught me not to say anything at all if I didn't have anything positive to say.

[@mrtubby4856]

Fords are gay anti Jewish piece of shit

[@ometec]

and yet you spoke anyways ... short bus?

[@aaronbehindbars]

Nathan, love the shirt! That movie is god awful in a good way and I really enjoyed watching it via Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[@NathanDAdlen]

Hell yes! MST3K for EVER!

[@nhfalcon]

Looks FERAL omg

[@ahdsh88]

Long Live TFL & Like make a family mini vans Comparison dodge caravan & honda Odyssey & toyota sienna

[@dlegit956]

how long have these type of trucks been around? I thought it was more European thing.

[@MsCellobass]

Dont these things have mega problems with transmission?

[@billd5211]

These vans are becoming more European looking!! The new Chevy City Express, Nissan NV200, New Ford Transit and Transit Connect and this van!! The Chevy Express will be the only true American van left once the Ford E-Series is gone

[@billd5211]

***** I know there European. Also Dodge is revealing a new van, called the City Pro Master I think at is based off another Fiat van called the Doblò. I wonder what will happen with the current Ram CV or Grand Caravan with out rear windows. Still don't know why they cant engineer there own vans in America and not take them from Fiat?

[@wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20]

Bill Dingo It's simple, they use Fiat models because Chrysler was in so bad financial situation, that Fiat bought major part of it and therefore is one of the main owners. Designing a vehicle from the ground up is very expensive. If you have a van, there's no sense to design a new van, especially in Chrysler's situation, when they have to make the business profitable. The original Fiat model of this van is much better looking IMHO. Not the most beautiful, but it's a work vehicle, and that's where it's very good. Spacious, low cargo area floor, which makes it easy to load, cheap to repair/maintenance. With diesel engine, like all of them are sold in EU, also great fuel economy. I don't get why they removed the middle seat and the wall between the cargo space and cabin.

[@billd5211]

wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20 Whats the mileage of the diesel version

[@1tylerproud]

I've got six kids and a dog. Two booster seats and two car seats. A Honda odyssey is not anywhere close to big enough. A very nice van but outgrown long ago

[@dchawk81]

You need a school bus.

[@billmelcher625]

Six door limo? Or a ford 15 pass with one or two benches taken out

[@1tylerproud]

@@billmelcher625 a Nissan NV 3500. It’s awesome.

[@billmelcher625]

@@1tylerproud really

[@1tylerproud]

@@billmelcher625 yup. Nicest big van you can buy.

[@matt4270]

Rather have a Sprinter or Nissan NV.

[@1guyin10]

I drive a sprinter. This or the Transit will replace it.

[@123Coffs]

+matt4270 Sprinters are nice but they are so small inside. Very narrow and the walls close in on you as they go towards the roof. Not a good option for camper conversion. The promaster is far more spacious inside.

[@jamienorman2622]

+1guyin10 get a transit. you won't regret the choice!

[@TobyCostaRica]

When they change the hideous front end, add 4x4 I'll consider one over a Sprinter. The 6' width inside is nice for sleeping sideways.

[@whoischxse]

i'd have a sprinter or the new transit

[@chevyford1400]

I have one I'm a diesel mechanic I have all my tools in there .

[@jonathancosmopolitan1262]

You Americans are just jealous because you never build a fwd van this economical and yet capable. By the way, the really large European vans come in rear wheel drive and four wheel drive as well.

[@Park_Place]

We get Transits with a decent engine. I don't hear Europeans enjoying an EcoBoost V6.

[@A320Pilots]

Sorry but the Sprinter is much...MUCH better. I used to work as a courier before and we had both of these vans (Sprinter and FIAT Ducato). The FIAT Ducato/Ram Promaster is not durable at all, the panels seem to be made out of the flimsiest metal they could find. Not to mention it's crappy material in the cabin (just listen to the noise the doors make when you shut them, now compare that to a Sprinter) Honestly, the only good thing about this van is it's 3,6L engine. Not to mention it's ridiculously low towing capability of just 5000lbs. A Diesel E-class could do better for fuck sakes. Oh...and nice orangepeel btw lol

[@nerdlydood]

All true (except the diesel E-class doesn't have a rated towing capacity) but the Sprinter, being a Benz, is much more expensive. It's not wasted money, you do get a better van, but when "good enough" is good enough, it can make a lot of sense to get a lower-cost vehicle.

[@A320Pilots]

Ryan Wagner Here in Europe the E350CDI 4Matic has a tow rating of 4700lbs (okay not as much but it's a passenger vehicle and not a commercial van). Also the price difference isn't as much as you'd imagine, add to that the fact that the Sprinter is more fuel efficient, more durable, RWD and just better built. And you'd have to be cataclysmically moronic should you buy a ProMaster. There is a reason every courier service (DHL, UPS, TNT and FedEx) uses Sprinters.

[@valefur72]

***** The Ducato is the best seller in Europe. Just the Sprinters owners don't admit that they are driving a overpriced van that often after 5 years is full of rust. Also the Ducato/Boxer/Jumper are durable vehicles.

[@A320Pilots]

valentino furlan Its the best seller cause its CHEAP, you're Italian so nobody can take your word seriously, ofc you're gonna say that Italian turd is good. Ask UPS, DHL, TNT what vans they drive outside of Italy.....here's a hint; they arent Ducato's! FIAT professional's service is a JOKE

[@noilldecide]

A320Pilots cheap? just bought one,the ram promaster 3500 that is and it was 44000 bucks, that is Canada prices so we pay more by default but still not cheap

[@TopFlightGNXTURBO]

You make better video reviews than roman does, you should make more videos, your way more informative

[@Isuzulu]

Actually... Dodge Sprinter = Mercedes Sprinter Dodge Promaster = Fiat Ducato

[@urielhernandezT150]

Ram Promaster* because you need to remember that Dodge and Ram were separated in 2011 or 2013

[@tfcooks]

Didn't they shoot a Star Trek episode there?

[@avpr1c]

YO, HONDA or TOYOTA! Pls make your version of this so I can drive it forever. Anyone listening?

[@dougrennick2212]

Black Van wrong color of van to have in a video,attracts heat from the sun to much,makes this van very hot at times,and expensive to have air conditioning installed.

[@unacamper9123]

Just say no to the donuts boy......

[@tudor343]

fiat ducato,peugeot boxer,citroen jumper>in europe

[@yunusakcay1409]

produced this car tofaş fiat ducado

[@dru3n]

One of the most horrible badge engineered vehicles done yet, using an 8 year old design from Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumpe and Fiat Ducato

[@sahamaream321]

this is the copy of france peugeot boxter kombi ;) china copy complete world and america copy from europe ;)

[@KIERR3]

Fiat Ducato xd

[@wiscokid9890]

The seat reclines like that so the hottie your driving around can put her feet on the dash easier lmao...joking! Wth? Who does that and y?

[@victormarchuk7833]

Что ты делаешь?LOL

[@rfoss709]

Dodge Sprinter + Dodge Promaster = cousins

[@jamienorman2622]

In Europe, one is German, the other Italian!

[@ometec]

The Sprinter had a Daimler-Chrysler origin the Promaster is Fiat- Chrysler. It's that simple.

[@BLDEVINE1]

I didn't watch entire video. I do own a2014 that has many seam sealer issues.

[@americanrambler4972]

I used to see these Promasters on semi flatbeds on the way to the dealer. The early 2014’s looked like they would not hold up when I looked at the undersides. They did not have the water, seam seals and shielding I would think would be necessary for salty roads. When I looked under later build 2015 and 2016 vans on the flat beds, the underbody sealing and finish work had Inproved considerably. Have not driven one yet though. Cannot relate any experience there. I have been inside Sprinters which had some miles on them. I was not impressed. I found the Ford Econolines and Ram B vans were tighter, less rusty with fewer rattles than the Sprinters. I was not buying the fuel so I cannot compare the cost. But I did notice a number of outfits using the earlier Sprinters were back to the Econolines after about 3 years. I am starting to see more Promasters in service now. They must be pretty easy to drive because they dart around in city traffic and scoot much better than I expected they would. Starting to see used ones show up on the market. Need to go check them out.

[@penadela]

Chrysler/Fiat!!lol!!too much pride!!

[@cristiandemirel1918]

In Europe this shit house with wheels is built under the Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat badges! Adding a dodge badge doesn't make it any better, not by a long run!

[@Marko3123]

I’m not a big fan of the euro van invasion .. I’ll stay w the Chevy express

[@nomosss]

MADE (ASSEMBLED) IN MEXICO

[@eastpantherbenz]

They worked really hard at making it ugly lol.

[@DenLADenfuckgunit]

sprinter is the best van ever, now they took fiat, fucking fiat R.I.P. Dodge, RAM, Chrysler

[@mrtubby4856]

Fiat really saved chysler since the bailout in 09

[@unknownunknowns]

Mr Tubby But that bailout never occurred would Fiat have cared to save it?

[@lillexus5589]

the Fiat Ducato is far more durable then the Sprinter while costing far less.

[@smokeybear45]

wolkswagen transporter T5 is better!!

[@smokeybear45]

its a nice van, they just need to make a working type

[@victormarchuk7833]

KGB hah?

[@emersonsampaio5928]

Muito feia

[@stchman]

That is one HIDEOUS looking vehicle. I gather that if you drive something like that, it's all about utility.

[@theyhatehimbecausehetoldth7576]

Put a v8 in it and make it Americanized an I will approve of it... in this case a HEMI

[@urielhernandezT150]

"It's too late!" boomed Ram trucks

[@aorellana0721]

Manufacturer defect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TCMATV]

It's really French...a Renault lots of future problems>

[@Rocky1765]

That front end is so ugly. They would have to drop the MSRP by 10K before I would even consider owning that ugly beast....

[@robitaill3]

+Ninja 87 I agree. Ford knows how to make a European car look nice in America.

[@Jekke1971]

+Ninja 87 In Europe we're driving around with the new model Fiat Ducato for almost two years now, which is much nicer.

[@ometec]

really? I thing the front looks beautiful.

[@ocala1218]

Keep america alive buy ford

[@TopFlightGNXTURBO]

You make better video reviews than roman does, you should make more videos, your way more informative

[@aorellana0721]

Manufacturer defect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!