RAM 1500 - The Tow Vehicle - Part 2
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- The RAM 1500 is designed to tow!!!
This is Part 2 of our RAM 1500 - The Tow Vehicle video.
In this video, we take you thru the interior features of the RAM including its towing settings.
Filmed during our Road Trip to the Eyre Peninsula, it shows the RAM in a non-show room environment.
We hope you enjoy this video and gain some knowledge of the RAM.
Glenn and Nat
Realy question will these get to 400k plus reliably, these trucks drive great and look great with awesome features, but for the price we pay in Australia and the little warranty it hasnt sold me yet
Hi and thank you for watching our video.
Yes an interesting question on whether the RAM will get to $400k, I wonder will many vehicles get to that many km’s. I suppose part of it will depend on how it’s treated and serviced through out its life.
Mine has just clocked over 100k km and is going strong.
We have just returned from a lap of Australia and the RAM was amazing so capable. To be honest I wouldn’t like to attempt the trip in any thing smaller. It towed our 3.5 ton Van effortlessly. I hardly knew it was there. And having said that, the RAM is one of very few vehicles in Australia that can actually tow a 3.5 ton van. Most other vehicles out there on the market can’t legally tow that size van due to their GCMs being under 7000kg. All the 3.5 ton Utes are sold as they can tow 3.5 ton however, that is the breaking spec, not the towing spec. Cleaver marketing that misleads many buyers.
Since the RAM has a GCM of over 7200kg, it allows you to tow a fully loaded 3.5 ton van and not affect the GVM of the vehicle.
Some say that the RAM has a small payload, well it’s available payload (which is calculated by subtracting the kerb weight from the GVM) includes a full tank of fuel 121 litres.
Most other vehicles only include 10 litres of fuel in its kerb weight calculations.
The RAM is certainly a great vehicle to tow with due to its built in brake controller and the tow/haul mode function.
After driving it for over 3 years, I totally recommend it.
With a price tag of $100k incl all onroad costs, it isn’t much dearer than the new 3.5 ton Utes and heaps cheaper than the 300 series and similar.
Glenn and Nat
What are your thought on the RAM now 12 months on? Has it been reliable and what kms are on it now?
Hi and thank you for watching our video.
I have now owned the RAM for 2 1/2 years and am still very impressed with it. Currently we have done 75000km and it really hasn’t missed a beat. It is such a capable vehicle and so suited to tow a 3.5 ton van. Brilliant power up hills, amazing braking down hills and so comfortable.
We have just started a lap of Australia, so it will be a very good test for it. We intend on travelling on some of Australia’s most gruelling roads, including the Gibb and the Cape roads.
Stay tuned for the new series of videos
Glenn and Nat
How have you guys gone towing with it and parts wise is there much availability while travelling around australia
Hi and thank you for watching our video.
Yes we have just returned from “The Great Aussie Lap” travelling 27000 km around Australia. The RAM was incredible towing our 3.5 ton off-road van and carrying a roof top tinny. We had close to our GCM and didn’t even notice it.
We didn’t need any parts as the RAM didn’t breakdown.
We did have 2 scheduled services while on the lap and the dealers were excellent. They fitted us in with only a few weeks notice. Services are part of the logistics when travelling and when you don’t have a full itinerary of exactly where and when you will be, it was comforting to know RAM dealers look after travellers.
Glenn and Nat
Are you running stock tyres H/T from new or have you swapped out for A/Ts
Hi Perry thank you for watch our video.
I did run with the stock H/T for a while. I then replaced them with a set of BFG A/T KO2.
They were a good tyre, very low road noise if any and wore well. They were however a little slippery in the wet.
While we were in Perth during our Lap, I replaced them with a set of Yokohama Geolander AT XD. There is a bit of road noise however they were amazing, handling some extremely rough corrugated roads, for example, out to Steep Point, Point Billy and some of the Gibb River Road.
Glenn and Nat
If you like this truck then you would love the 5th gens!
Hi Adin thank you for watching our video.
Yes the 5th Gens look amazing.
RAM certainly know how to design and build a truck 👍
Glenn and Nat
Thanks bud this is the first video have seen that gives you the layman's version of all aspects of the 1500. Currently waiting for the Crew Cab with RAM box in black. I now have an idea what is expected whilst towing and beach driving. Many Thanks.
Hi Brad thank you for watching my video and thank you for your kind words.
When I was creating the video I was hoping it would give viewers good information.
You will certainly love your new RAM. It will blow you away with its capabilities.
No wonder they are taking Australia by storm. 👍
You should be able to go into your settings and add the transmission temp gauge in your cluster display. Also your mileage until empty. All 4 corners of your cluster can show an indicator.
Thank you for the hot tip.
Added the litres per 100 and distance to empty
Heaps good
Thank you
Great video can you tell me where you got your seatcovers from please
Hi Patrick thank you for watching our video.
I purchased them from AutoBarn Rutherford
It was a few years ago now, however they were the standard size and fitted perfectly
Hope this helps…..
Glenn and Nat
Thanks for the ram vids. Have ordered one to tow our jb caravan to take the kids around oz from blueys in 2022. After seeing the dust in the tray think i might do some work on the seals! Also im adding those beaches to my google maps.
Hi Lucky
Thank you for watching my video
A trip around Oz how good will that be.
You will be blown away with the RAMs ability and performance.
Each time it head off with my RAM and Van it just amazes me on how good it is.
What you will find when touring and needing to carry extra loads like water, you don’t need to compromise.
And it is a stable and safe vehicle for when you head off on the beaten track.
Enjoy your pride and joy 👍
Did you order a DT or DS
Awesome Vid thanks mate. I’ve just ordered one of these the same as yours to tow my 3.5t boat. Could you tell me what airbags suspension system you added? And any advice on airbag suspension?
Hi Mark thank you for watching our video.
That is great news about you purchasing a RAM. You will be blown away with its capabilities.
I currently have a set of air bags from the Air Bag Man. $400 plus delivery.
I installed them myself - not hard if you are handy.
I intend to upgrade the suspension to something like Kings, however for now the air bags seem to do the trick. I normally inflate them to 50 psi. I have heard that people inflate to various amounts, However since day 1 I started at 50 and it seems to work.
Pending on how much we have the van loaded, can range from 3.0 ton up to 3.5 ton therefore a tow ball weight 300kg to 350kg respectively.
The air bags just stiffen the rear springs and takes the bounce away.
I understand that airbags should be a secondary form of suspension, however for now they work fine.
Glenn and Nat
Do you find you can get away without the need for towing mirrors because of the RAM’s extra width?
Hi Rod - thank you for watching our video.
When comparing the width of the standard RAM mirrors to my previous Ute, a Navara NP300 with the Clear View mirrors, there is very little difference.
I also have a rear camera on the caravan connected to a monitor on my internal rear view mirror, so with the combination of the external mirrors and the rear camera, I have a full 360 deg view.
Glenn and Nat
Terrific mate...I'm sold..Can't afford the Laramie but the express crew cab with ram boxes is perfect.
Hi Paul
Yes the Crew Cab ticked all the Boxes for me 👍
Howdy, question did you have the dif 4.1 put on otherwise the van cant tow over 3.5..purchasing ram and have had to upgrade so it can legally tow.
Hi Howling Adventures thank you for watching our video.
I understand that all ASV RAM 1500 are now sold with the appropriate diff to allow them to tow up to 4.5 ton (please note that there are other limitations to towing 4.5 ton - see manufacturers specifications)
I find my 1500 to be perfect for towing my 3.5 ton van.
Glenn and Nat
Thanks guys, Enjoy watching your videos, I notice you haven't got additional tow mirrors fitted? Do you use them or are standard mirrors adequate? I've just ordered the 1500 crew cab & wondering if I need to buy tow mirrors? What other accessories do you recommend while I await delivery & on-line shop during these Covid times? All the best, Macka.
Hi Macka thank you for watching our video.
I find my standard mirrors are fine to see down each side of the van.
I owned a Navara NP300 prior and fitted the Clearview mirrors.
I find that with the RAM being wider and with the wide standard mirrors I have the same view as the clear views.
I also have a rear camera on the van and together with the mirrors, I have a full view right around the van.
I would recommend the
RAM 1500-DS MULTI TRAILER PLUG MOUNT (4 PLUG) TO SUIT
from tlrproducts.com.au
it’s perfect to mount all your electrical sockets
I also have a set of airbags from the airbag man. It assists in stiffening the rear.
I do intend to upgrade the suspension however the bags have provided a good solution.
Glenn and Nat.
Informative video. We have ordered the Laramie for our van. What are you using for your mirrors? Stock standard Or you using after market ones.
Hi Stu
Thank you for watching my video.
I’m using the standard mirrors. They can see pretty much down each side of the Van.
I also use the rear camera on the van. The image is presented to the monitor attached to the interior rear view mirror.
This rear camera was an optional extra when I purchased the van. I believe that it should be a mandatory safety device fitted to all new vans.
It allows me to see out the rear of the van at all times.
Can’t wait to get one. How much room in the rear seats in comparison to the quad cab?
Hi Joel thank you for watching my video.
Sorry I’m not sure about the size of a Quad Cab compared to the Crew Cab.
Someone at be able to answer that......
I suppose what you need to think about, do you need the extra room in the tub or the rear seat.
If you will have people sitting in the back seat, then maybe the Crew Cab is the go.
Was very interested to see the RAM in the sand with stock tyres, what gear were you running, and how did it cope in softer sand, has it bogged or performed well? I visit Fingal bay in port Stephens often, and was wondering how a RAM would handle Stockton beach.
Hi thank you for watching my video.
I was extremely impressed with the RAM’s performance on the beach. I tried 18 psi and it was fine.
My previous manual Nissan NP300 was great on the beach however this RAM is far superior. Having an automatic certainly helps over a manual, and the V8 power is amazing.
It is certainly a weapon. The standard tyres were great.
Knowing how soft the Stockton Beach is, especially the Williamtown entry, I’m keen to give it a go. If this weather clears overnight I’m actually planning on being there tomorrow.
My next video that I will be creating is driving over the 3km’s of Sand Dunes at Fowlers Bay.