Shop Talk #4 - Top Reasons why RAM 1500s are a Great Touring 4WD - Core Offroad

Are RAM 1500s a good touring rig? In this Episode of Shop Talk we look at the Top 4 Points that make the RAM 1500 one hell of a good 4WD touring rig.
We look at:
• Performance
• Fuel Economy
• GVM/GCM
• Value For Money
We also debunk a couple of myths about American trucks and offer some good advice on towing, suspension and exhaust upgrades.
Learn more information about our canopies, builds and 4WD accessories here - www.coreoffroad.com.au
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#coreoffroad #ram1500 #ram15004x4 #mantaexhaust #toughdogsuspension #ram

[@OlDuckOffroad]

Awesome seeing some love shown the the DS/DT Ram's. I love my 19 Classic, Its has been an excellent Overlander. Next up for me is 2 weeks at 2023 King of the Hammers.

[@CoreOffRoad]

Good choice!

[@thommo6331]

I drive 5 ton trucks down most Aussie tracks which you usually find a bore and tanks that did not magically appear there. All fire trails get accessed by 5 ton trucks. Yank tracks are fine on Aussie bush tracks.

[@samelynn8082]

Haven't finished watching this yet (side tracked by Jodi's video) and stupid east coast time zones. - I'm so going to make the missus watch this to help justify replacing the MUX :)

[@realmoneyaldae5397]

SssaaaaaaãssS Spa

[@davidcox8943]

Great shop talk guys, upgraded to a DT 1500 Laramie early this year and love it. We tow a 4 tonne atm van full time on the road with little effort. We are constantly being asked why a Ram and why not a Y62? How is the fuel economy? How do you park it in town? Great to hear some positive feedback by people that drive them! I will be looking at a Mantra upgrade after watching the gains made on Jodies truck. Who knows we may even be in WA to have it installed.

[@CoreOffRoad]

Hey David definitely make sure you drop in if you make it over this way. Go the RAM.

[@matthewh8005]

How is the fuel economy towing that 4t van? Im looking at getting a RAM for work and play (I have Cub Drifter which is like 1900kg tare). How far do you get on a tank on that thing?

[@iansaunders8694]

1770 kg rear axle capacity. Yes you can tow with them but you can't put anything in them. I would never tow anything behind a vehicle that doesn't have fully floating rear axle.

[@ourbackyard7897]

Having shots on "that's all"

[@CoreOffRoad]

Hahaha!!! You should check out Shop Talk #5

[@michaelcarydakis790]

any 4wd towing goes from 12litres to over 30 driving up and down hills

[@fatssha5418]

Just curious as to your thoughts on the ram limited with air ride suspension on the corrugations outback and it’s off-road capability? Cheers

[@CoreOffRoad]

The Ram’s have great benefits on and off road, and with the air ride suspension, you can adjust the ride to suit the conditions by putting more or less pressure in the OE airbags.

[@samelynn8082]

what about rear seat comfort? IE: Adult (or near adult) sized kids - is there much of a difference between the warlock and laramie?

[@CoreOffRoad]

Hi Samelynn80, there is no real difference in rear seat comfort between the Warlock and Laramie, both have heaps of adult legroom and both come with leather.

[@lazkovacs6495]

Hi guys. How long before you have gvm upgrade on the Ram DT Laramie?

[@CoreOffRoad]

Hi Laz, hopefully soon, the suppliers are still waiting on federal approval to come though.

[@rich7447]

Why the Ram 1500 for off road? The Ram 2500 with the solid front axle is a lot easier to deal with from a modification perspective and the AAM 9.5 is a lot stronger and has the advantage of having free-spin hub upgrades and easy front locker install. Plus you wouldn't need a GVM upgrade.

[@CoreOffRoad]

Agreed Rich, it's a budget thing mate.

[@OlDuckOffroad]

For me, the reason for going with the 1500 was weight, price, then looks. in that order. The 2500 can weight about 2000 lbs more, Cost almost 10K US more. Just my opinion, but unless you will be towing more than 10K lbs or want to run 37 in. or larger tires. there is no need for a 2500.

[@rich7447]

@@OlDuckOffroad The big advantage that the 2500 has over the 1500 is the ability to have the 8' bed with a crew cab, plus the AAM axles in the HD are much stronger. I had a 2003.5 1500 (bought in Canada where trucks are not cheap - $48k with taxes) that I was always over payload with, so after replacing the rear suspension I bought a 2011 2500 in 2010 (put in a 7" lift and ran 37x1350R18 Interco M16s). My plan was to buy a 3500 SRW, but the dealer had it on the lot and it had everything I wanted including the Cummins. Out the door it cost me $42k including taxes. For 8 years that I owned it I was always close to or at payload and very close to max. tow rating every time I hooked up a trailer. I sold it in September for $30k after deciding that I wasn't going to screw around anymore. I ordered a 2022 F450 King Ranch last year and it was converted to a 2023 in October. It's right around $93k + fees and taxes. My lightest trailer is rated at 14k lbs and my flatbed (bought after truck) is rated at 26k lbs. I'm not sure if this is true in Australia due to the licensing laws, but here in the US the 250/2500s with the diesel are not worth the compromise. They don't have a lot more payload than the 150/1500s due to the weight of the diesel, but are much easier to lift. If you want the diesel 350/3500 SRW (barely more than a 250/2500 diesel) or larger is the way to go. Like you said though, it all depends how you are going to use the truck. I also prefer solid axles front and back, so that is worth something to me. A lot of people would rather have the IFS for the car like ride.

[@CharlesRevis1]

@@rich7447 Thing is, in the rest of the world the only rams we get are imported generally high trim levels. Mostly just 1500s, I know in Aus they now convert them to RHD which makes them even more expensive for the average joe. Then the 2500 is even more expensive to a point were its only affordable to buy if your a very wealthy person, the 1500 is still just about in reach for the reasonably well off individual. Maybe in a few years when there is more of them coming in and less of a speciality, the prices will drop for new and used. We can only hope though

[@rich7447]

@@CharlesRevis1 There isn't a huge price difference between the 1500s, 2500s and 3500s here. You can easily pay more for a high trim 1500 than a mid trim 2500. Prices have gone crazy in the last few years, but in 2010 I paid $42k including taxes, title and fees for a 2011 Rm 2500 CC 4x4 Big Horn (SLT) diesel. I sold that truck in September for $30k. It's replacement is an '23 F450 King Ranch and it is $93k + taxes and fees if ford ever manages to build it.

[@kevinsmith1314]

Most uncomfortable seats ever designed for the crew cab range. For a $100k price it is a travesty!!