This RAM 2500 Cummins is GREAT at Towing! But How Good Is It Off-Road? Let's Find Out!

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In this video, Andre takes our long term RAM 2500 Cummins off-road!
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#ram #cummins #offroad

[@ChambersFamilyOverland]

I overland/ off-road my 19 Ram 2500 Cummins, and I have NO ISSUES AT ALL. Leveled on 37’s. I’ve somehow managed to bottom it out along the pinch welds haha I have the off road package on mine and I manually go in to disconnect the front sway in aggressive trails. I love it

[@nlken7175]

2.5" lift and 37's. =beast

[@glennvonk]

Pulled 11000 lb trailer up a steep gravel off-road. Needed 4x4 to get it up there. Combines both worlds of off-road and hauler. 2500 ram Laramie - great

[@williammodlin2621]

You know you’re in trouble when you step UP to get out of your RAM 2500. Mine has the off road package, which is about a 2” lift, so it might make it on the way down without scraping the side steps. Glad you posted this video because it gives me an idea about what my own truck can do without the risk. LOL. Great job, Andre and team. BTW, I think you guys should always credit your videographer/spotter at the end of these. THANKS.

[@jakemaughan3818]

I was wondering how capable this would be offroad. I know the diesels are heavier, but they are insanely useful with actual work and towing heavy loads.

[@D.Phelps]

Independent suspension? Last I checked ram HD trucks have solid front and rear…

[@UriahFriedlein]

I had a 2019 2500 Cummins tradesman for about a year. I used it in snow quite a bit and the wife accidentally took it down a really muddy back road. We were very impressed with the 4wd system. It felt very composed and stable. Awesome trucks on and off road. Sadly I had to sell it, thanks covid.

[@downbytheriver501]

The very first video I ever made was of me taking my 3500 ram Cummins on 35s down a gnarly trail in the Beartooth mountains. It performed very well despite weighing about 12,800 lbs. I’m not very proud of the video now, but it does show how capable these vehicles are in basically stock form.

[@aarons307]

Didn't look like your truck has the anti-slip rear differential. Put some 35's on those wheels and it'll crawl up those trails much easier. That 2500 still has much better ground clearance than the RAM 1500 in stock form. It's funny to hear people say a 2500 is so much bigger, but really, they're only 1.4" wider than a 1500 and the track width are the same. Just has more height, stiffness, and a bigger frame.

[@TaigaTurf]

Agreed.. a TRX, Raptor, or ram 4500 is definitely larger dimensions though

[@KTMcaptain]

The anti spin differential is a heliacal unit. Without enough input torque it will act as an open differential.

[@KTMcaptain]

@@larrysmith6797 😆🤦🏻

[@Brandt1776]

Basically all aspects of 3/4 ton truck is bigger and beefier than a 1/2 ton. Smoke another one my guy

[@JohnSmith-ij4xe]

@@Brandt1776 bigger nope. May act bigger but not really. Beefer on what level? Frame? Yes axles? Maybe but that depends on what type of 1500 you have to compare it to. The TRX will kick the 2500 but when it comes to towing 2500 all day long. For everyday use 2500 but if you’ll never tow or carry a heavy load then 1500. The axles you can change but not the factory height(yes you can add a lift kit but am talking stock to stock) or frame. The 2500 tows like a dream Vs a 1500. I would never go back to a 1500 for towing.

[@mackfrank840]

*SIGH* "This wasn't ideal, I touched my side step" -Andre The way he said that 🤣

[@jdfleetguy28]

Great video Andre!, Love the Ram 2500. Keep up the great work. By the way I am super happy to get a truck video, with nothing to do with an electric truck. Lol 😆

[@Team_Rubio]

Bad ass video. Not only I purchased my Ram 2500 because of this feature truck, but now, I know what it can do. Thanks guys.

[@johnkarlsruher1920]

Thanks for the test. Now I have the confidence in tackling semi-difficult trails in my 2022 Cummins 2500 Laramie.

[@ziggybubula5168]

I have a 2022 Ram 2500 Bighorn Diesel. Got it in December. Love it. Can’t wait to tow with it

[@Ramblin_Rob]

Great to see the back country in this video. That series lead me to the purchase on my “new to me” 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn Off-Road pkg. Love the Ram. FYI. Every Hemi deserves a Flowmaster Outlaw exhaust..😎

[@ethelz2cents]

Nice! Thanks, Andre.

[@bobvedder2451]

I used to have a F350 four door long bed truck and took it off road often. I did have a leveling kit on it, but i did knock my chin spoiler off. No worries about that, didnt need it.

[@martinsiedlecki]

Good thing you had the fog lights on

[@dashycamy]

Do it with a dually next so I don't feel like I'm the only doofus with a dually that goes light off roading. Even better if it's only a 6x4 like mine 😂😂

[@hooptietime4427]

I have the retractable side steps on mine. They drop down lower than the regular ones & they fold up nice & neat & out of the way. Might be a good investment for you guys.

[@Cloud30000]

They always use the side steps like rock sliders, which would destroy the retractable ones in the likely scenario that they rub a rock. What they need is rock sliders that sit higher up and are much more durable then the current side steps, especially with such a long wheelbase.

[@DarkHorse08]

Side steps on an offroad rig is a bad idea. Get some proper rock sliders.

[@forterierocks]

Took my Ram 3500 a bunch of places it probably shouldn't have gone but it did it no problem, got me into some great little lakes in Northern Ontario Canada to fish.

[@TaigaTurf]

Nice 👌

[@manuelguzmanjr6622]

Man! What a great video!

[@dslpwr]

I have a ‘16 RAM 2500 Cummins…I put on the Carli suspension and 37’s….it’s a completely different truck that can handle most anything.

[@fallinfreak192]

That’s my dream

[@jasonpitts8395]

OEM wheels or did you change to something else

[@dslpwr]

@@jasonpitts8395 XD wheels

[@4wdiesels]

I have Icon's best kit on my '19 with 18" wheels with 35"X12.5" BFG K02s and it made all the difference in the world. Icon isn't as good as Carli but it was available faster and cheaper. My on road ride is almost half ton like and now I can take it on roads like you did here without feeling like I'm going to break something. I gained about 2" of ride height and thats all I needed. These sorts of obstacles shown here are a non issue now. I sold my OEM wheels & tires and it covered the cost of about 3 of my new ones.

[@keithjohnson3993]

I added a 2" front lift suspension kit to mine and went up one tire size, 295, and I have almost 16" to the bottom of my chin spoiler and have 18" to the bottom of my power steps. My tire wear is just fine with about half of the recommended 80# air pressure, of course rides much better.

[@cnetate]

Did better than I thought. I had to take my 15 ram 3500 up a gnarly trail by st elmo for a rescue mission and the truck did way better than I thought it would.

[@downbytheriver501]

Did you piss blood for a few days after? Man, the 3500s ride really rough without at least a ton in the back!

[@ztaylor583]

Vids like this one make me proud of my 12valve....and the way I was raise, no caring at all about "creature comforts".... I've taken a "stock" height 95 2500 with 265s in harder places.... Oh ya, just to be clear, being a driver for a living, knowing how to adapt to just about every vehicle has to help too.... just to keep it honest.

[@davidporter7051]

This provides the perfect example why Ram does offer a diesel on the Power Wagon and it makes sense.

[@e.l.9589]

Does NOT, or doesn't but not does.

[@peninsulahomerenovations9680]

I have this truck and approve this message.

[@weekendwarrior8179]

Good line. Yes this was all experience.

[@PandaEFX]

Man, On X influencer budget must be huge. They're on everyone's youtube.

[@michelwayne03]

We’ve done lots of decently aggressive trails in ours many times but with 18s and good all terrains

[@bradmeacham6982]

Have you ever tried the "two-foot" brake/accelerator technique with the automatic transmissions you're driving in your trail tests? I've seen may videos showing and using this technique to great advantage on harder trails and obstacles.

[@seanndenham9929]

Great job Andre. By the way looks like your tires are due for a rotation.

[@stevel3o7]

Great video. I just purchased a ram 2500 heavy duty 4 x 4 super crew. I’m going to put the Carly shocks on which will give me a 2 1/2 left in front and one in the rear, seems the right move watching your video. Also, did you have the anti-skid off, that is supposed to help with limited slip

[@wade7959]

Those sidesteps are always an issue. You want them, but they can be problematic. It's nice to get electronic steps that tuck away.

[@dolguldur4706]

Just get a slider..it solved all your problem,can still be use as step..at the same them protect your underside of the body,it will rub for sure,but not gonna bent your body

[@hooptietime4427]

I have them. They were expensive but worth it.

[@upshifter5316]

My kidneys took a beating just watching this video.

[@redlinearroyo847]

we've taken stock f250 6.0 powerstrokes with those tall skinny road tires offroad like this and just all that sheer weight helps traction in a way and the torque helps at those elevations with the big diesels. 4wd lo and locked the front hubs and it did about the same as this, maybe less flexing because it has leaf springs on the rear. but did pretty good with worse tires than these Firestones

[@jlsgarage872]

That rear diff should be an eaton truetrac

[@dakotaracebrown]

I’ve seen my dads Cummins go in places only jeeps go. Half the time towing a horse trailer full of horses behind it.

[@collinsimmons7156]

Love the Ram good vehicle.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

if you turn that into a lifted overland build, please let me take you guys up kelly flats trail west of fort collins! I think you'd really like that one.

[@OS-hx4jk]

Andre really likes this shirt!

[@bellman4336]

My grandpa has a 2500 from the generation before this. And it was a beast completely stock. That Cummins is an amazing engine. It could go up anything

[@rodneyspencer5158]

You should put a 2in level in the front and a 1in in the rear and 35s with a little gripper tires

[@johnnicpon5783]

Perhaps you should have gone with the AMP auto retracting side steps. They come down further when deployed, making it even easier to get in. And once retracted you have a lot more clearance than a fixed step. Hey, next time take a Ram 2500 Mega Cab up there and lets. see how it does!

[@Swapp_Shop]

Love your 4x4 course, I would love to take my 04 tacma on it. Is it open to the public or is it purely for videos and your recreational use?

[@bobvedder2451]

I now drive a gladiator rubicon, really like the truck.

[@navion1946]

Hey Andre, you need the Carli Pintop 2.5 and some 40” tires. You’ll be good to go.

[@segfault31]

Nice work! I take my 3500 short bed G56 off-roading to get to specific camp sites. Its not fun but it does the job, factory LSD is key.

[@darryladams519]

Why is it not fun

[@segfault31]

Mostly due to the suspension.

[@jaysoutdoor6747]

Can you guys do a black widow or bad lander offroad? I would love to see if those marked up trucks can do it.

[@MajDisaster19]

Put a round bale of hay in the back. That will solve your stiff suspension issues. That truck was meant to do what you did in the video even while carrying load. The ride quality is dramatically different with a load…much better.

[@justinkirst2934]

Why Andre looking like my granddad in this one?

[@Motardebase.]

cool!

[@jameskempienski]

Go AEV prospector xl with 40s!!

[@woolengrappler]

Let’s see the AEV Prospector! I think that’s the hint at the beginning of the video

[@oneshotpete6.591]

i’ve personally taken my 2006 dodge cummins mega cab on some trails that would make some jeep guys uneasy 😬.. Not by choice but by necessity…

[@pernell4351]

Love it. We have one for family farm used it’s a lot going off road. Going in woods. We have no problems with. My uncle love RAM truck versus the GMC 2500. Always was breaking down. The big Horn we put some 17” rims with all-terrain tires come to be about 33” all I know it comes out to the sides of the tires that on 20 inch rims.

[@jasonpitts8395]

Does anyone make aftermarket skid plates for this truck?

[@jasonpitts8395]

It's like you read my mind. I have the same truck but mine is a mega cab. I was thinking ARB lockers, 37 BFGs, and new suspension. What say you?

[@tblack7191]

Not bashing but just an observation - Just completed a 1500 mile road trip as part of a move (have another 2500 miles to go). I swear I saw 4-5 brand new Ram 2500’s broke down while towing along the way.

[@ColJonSquall1]

could also do an updated old vs new, where its Kase's Dodge vs the Ranch's Ram.

[@westeed1]

We need an update on the buhanka!

[@automotiveandmore]

Please tell us you will do it right and go with a Carli Dominator Suspension from CJC offroad.

[@jmonte58]

Hey Andre you when you should cut that stump that is sticking out us your baby saw to cut it do LOL🤣

[@vanessabeseltwaz2676]

Wow that's a nice truck I'm sure it can used off road anywhere but I just don't know about the quality of Mopar products, the last time I had one was Jeep Patriot great stereo system but the engine other parts of it just had problems after problems ugh the transmission would overheat if you used over a certain time I would have to pull off the road let it cool down I would just go back to Ford cause that's what I like but some people like the Ram other mopar products me idk.

[@nyasthomas5305]

Respectfully, apples to oranges. First, the Patriot wasn't regarded as the highest quality which one does not want to hear when spending thousands of dollars. 2nd, the Ram 2500 has two major engines options. 6.4L V8 which are known to get 200K before any major issues. I have a buddy who has one with 232K on it now (2014 I believe), only changed the suspension. Mine is this 6.7L Cummins Diesel. Engines are made by Cummins, not Ram/Chrysler which are very solid engines. The transmission is known to be solid as well but won't handle too much power than what the Cummins has in it already. So, unlike the 5.9 Cummins, the 6.7 doesn't have a lot of flexibility for mechanical upgrades due to the transmission weakness. That said, I had a F250 and that thing had issues at 59K and when driving it into the Ford dealership for repairs, caught on fire and destroyed.

[@00madmando]

André always dressed for the occasion, lol

[@davidhalen1198]

@Andre, have you taken a Rebel 3.0 Ecodiesel up there yet?

[@skrimpy6927]

I had a power wagon and now I got a f250 tremor and the tremor is better in every way possible from the road to the trails it’s an absolute beast currently got 37s on it my Ram was garbage like all the others I owned from 1500 to 2500 never again.

[@TaigaTurf]

How was the tremor better off-road than the power wagon?it's has front and rear lockers coil rear suspension and disconnecting sway bar

[@skrimpy6927]

@@TaigaTurf it has a rear locker with a front limited slip with tremor tuned shocks from ford on 35s and it has more clearance than the power wagon whenever I used the front sway bar disconnect it never really added more flex and the coil springs were complete trash just like the jeeps it’s poorly made the transmission and engine etc were absolute garbage I’ve had 3 power wagons and 3 rebels all were absolute garbage I always bought new and always and I mean always had problems with RAM.

[@TaigaTurf]

@@skrimpy6927 the tremor does have great payload too

[@ricardorivera1438]

An AEV kit would be great for that HD

[@zelenizub2036]

I think that should be only way to go.

[@99693254]

If you had the retractable electric steps which the Laramie comes with you wouldn’t have had any clearance issues on this particular trail up or down.

[@ashleygarnish9995]

Whats the opinion track class tune

[@mikefoehr235]

RAMS love it in the mountains.

[@Daniel-pv8jl]

Let me guess your idea of an overland rig is the AEV prospector. Before anyone does anything and calls it “overlanding” decide how you want to use it. So many people order the entire catalogue just to look cool and it’s mostly the US and it’s a competition to see who spends more. If you build this Ram do it right and decide how you want to use it. In Africa and Australia they have one common thought about overlanding and that it’s four wheel drive touring. So is this Ram a touring truck? Weekend getaways, long drives to other states to see amazing things or is this a off road weekend truck? Well I will say it, it is not a off road truck, it is a touring truck that can get you off road to see amazing things. Just look at patriot campers for inspiration

[@jamesp6283]

Here's the problem with full size heavy duty trucks nowadays, the manufacturer is trying to cash in on the off road craze and make these trucks something they're not. They're work trucks and to haul with granted a huge percentage of guys who buy these will never do either except maybe a Walmart run. I've been noticing a lot more of these on the trails lately but the guys who buy them don't realize they're too damn big for the trails, they don't want to scratch their 80k dollar vehicle that they're paying a grand month for the next hundred months so they stay planted in the middle of a very narrow trail expecting everyone else to go around.

[@downbytheriver501]

I made it about 2 months with mine, worrying about pinstripes when I finally realized pinstriping and body damage is inevitable…mine as well not delay it.

[@downbytheriver501]

That being said, there are definitely trails I would never take mine because as you said, it’s too wide and long for many off-road trails. And the break over angle on a CCLB isn’t exactly the best.

[@grisa12345]

I don’t think you guys have tested a Ford super duty Tremor off road have you? I have one still stock (diesel) on the 35’s with the Ford winch. It’s remarkably capable off road-let me know if you want to get it in a video, I’m in Centennial.

[@jeffs2809]

They had a long term super duty with the 7.3 when they first came out. They did a lift, tires & some other stuff to it.

[@grisa12345]

@@jeffs2809 I know it, but that’s not the same as a Factory Diesel Tremor. Factory locker, factory 35’s, factory skid plates, winch. Their “super tremor” was pretty cool though.

[@BYLRPhil]

Could you fit smaller wheels, I wonder, without damaging the brakes?

[@zxej6879]

17" wheels are the standard rim size. 18" & 20" wheels are optional.

[@harrisonfarnsworth4739]

Am I detecting Nathan triggered and a Power Wagon vs Cummins off road soon? 😅😅

[@masonj8513]

you should buy a f350 next and see witch you like better.

[@michaelherring2304]

If all else fails you can just move the trees with all that torque

[@TaigaTurf]

As much as I love a diesel heavy duty.. my 8000 lb Ram 3500 just sinks in soft spots where my 5000 lb Ram 1500 went over easily.. even with wider tires

[@zelenizub2036]

My dream truck would be Power Wagon with 3.0 ecodiesel

[@e.l.9589]

👍

[@Wrangler59]

If you want a Ram 2500hd and take it off road, just get the power wagon.

[@bobdennis4801]

But if you want to have the Cummins you can’t do the PowerWagon.

[@yissibiiyte]

Unless you also want to be able to tow

[@Wrangler59]

@@bobdennis4801 you can get the power wagon in diesel.

[@Wrangler59]

@@yissibiiyte you can still tow with the power wagon.

[@yissibiiyte]

@@Wrangler59 only half as much. Might be enough for some, others not. In which case a non Power Wagon makes more sense.

[@napjohn88]

Well you have side steps. Those suck and are no fun. On my Ram 1500 removed them and had 20 inch all terrains. Great ground clearance.

[@GoldenTiger5457]

Could you guess keep testing older vehicles? I’m to broke and don’t have established credit for all this new stuff, nor do think I’d ever be interested in the new stuff. Personally, I’d like to see stuff like WJ’s and other SUV’s or trucks that are 2010 and/or below, but I’m sure your subscriber base probably isn’t as young as I am. I’m 18 going on 19 at the end of the month so

[@McRaesadventures]

This truck needs a Carli 3in lift and 37s

[@verntownsend6654]

Yall should clear the rocks and roots out of the way.

[@WW-wf8tu]

That makes no sense. The purpose of off road challenges is not to alter the terrain, but to over come it. 😉

[@NoblemansXchange]

Sounds like you were in 4hi the whole time. 🕵🏻🤷🏻‍♂️

[@KTMcaptain]

Really need to stop saying 850 ft lbs helps you in that situation. It doesn’t and didn’t. It only makes that torque under full boost and at a higher RPM than off-idle.

[@scottyellis3442]

To bad it doesn't have 18 inch wheels & more sidewall.

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

You guys always make it harder than what it is. You always stop on and off the throttle right before a rocks to climb over. You always lose all kinds on momentum. Is it impossible for you to just drive smoother. Constantly jerking the truck around. Sad.

[@binnie465]

Well this demonstrate that you dont need a raptor for going off roaf

[@ATH_Berkshire]

The Raptor isn’t the very best of road. It is optimised for high speed desert running, for that it would be way way better than this truck.

[@xlthumper]

Please do it correctly. CARLI-SUSPENSION or nothing.

[@jeffreybalandra8891]

35’s

[@swathdiver489]

Diesels are not optimal for off-roading as their motors don't spin the drivetrain fast enough to keep moving in the sauce.

[@TheReligiousLeft]

Overland rig with coil springs seems weird to me…

[@chasebeatty9539]

So Jeep Wranglers are weird overland rigs to you? Vehicles having coil springs instead of leaf springs isn’t anything new and doesn’t make them any less capable.

[@TheReligiousLeft]

@@chasebeatty9539 I guess I more mean with pickup trucks. Generally payload is a big issue with overland vehicles. I know the ram 2500 suffers a bit in that department compared to the leaf spring counterparts.

[@jeffs2809]

@@TheReligiousLeft has nothing to do with the coils. It’s just that Ram only rates the 2500 at 10,000 gvwr while gm & ford will rate their 2500 & f250 higher. The Ram with coils will definitely carry more payload than rated before hitting the bump stops (not that I’d ever do that).

[@TheReligiousLeft]

@@jeffs2809 I mean, with higher payload I would think the leaf springs are better. Otherwise Ram would keep using coils for their 3500’s, which they don’t. Overland vehicles are heavy and I think leaf springs are better at handling that all things considered.

[@krice24]

I believe they are loosing views becuase of this. We want to see heavy duty trucks towing, like this ram here towing 20k and slightly over weight and how it handles like people do day to day. Then towing upgrades, not offroading, turning into overland truck, etc. I rarely watch tfl at all anymore becuase they never have anything with heavy towing, etc. Really offloading a 2500? I think 1% of buyers look for this 99% are towing and working it in some way.

[@stanludorf2311]

There are many videos of them towing with this truck, you realize you're on the tfl offroad channel, right? They're going to bring stuff off road.

[@Wezi427]

Ranch truck to an overlander......why? I'd rather see it used as a work truck and see how well it holds up.

[@shaneraber3072]

Andre , when your in situations like that and you need to be smooth 2 foot it. Use your brake and gas at same time. One of the worst things that can happen is rolling back when trying to gently navigate up rocks or over any obstacle. It is at that point on the slight roll back that you are more prone to tearing off a bumper or catching something. Love watching what you bring to the channel. When you start doing this you will gain more confidence as well.

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

Those Transforce tires are some of the worse tires ever made. They arent even good for road use.

[@zapman2100]

yes lets talk about a vehicle and give no model year anywhere even in the description