When you’re in the market for a new truck, the cab styles and seemingly endless configurations can make it difficult to narrow down your options. Try asking yourself these critical questions to find the Ram truck of your dreams.
How Much Do I Need to Haul?
Most buyers get a Ram truck because they must haul a lot of cargo or tow anything from a boat trailer to a fifth-wheel RV. Which pickup you need ultimately comes down to its payload and towing capabilities. Light-duty trucks like the Ram 1500 are designed to easily tow boats, trailers, and ATVs. The 2017 Ram 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, and Lone Star editions all come with a hefty 5.7-liter V8 HEMI engine. The max towing you’ll get (on the Tradesman model) is 10,690 pounds, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Heavy-duty pickups are ideal for towing RVs, horse trailers, and other large items. The Ram 2500 and 3500 models fit the bill, offering a towing range from 17,600 to 31,210 pounds. Consider any trailers, boats, or RVs you own and how much they weigh before narrowing down your Ram model options.
Which Cab Style Do I Prefer?
Ram trucks are offered in various cab configurations that affect payload, towing capacity, and passenger seating. The regular cab seats up to three passengers for maximum hauling capabilities, but it’s not the best option if you need to accommodate your whole family. Still, if you’re shopping for a work truck that can do it all, a regular cab might be for you.
The Ram Quad Cab seats up to six passengers to achieve a good balance of comfort, payload, and towing capacity. However, this option is only available on the Ram 1500, so if you need a heftier vehicle, the Quad Cab won’t be an option.
Then there’s the crew cab with plenty of legroom and seating for up to six. As the name indicates, the crew cab focuses more on passenger comfort and space than hauling capabilities, as more passengers affect the truck’s total curb weight.
Finally, the Mega Cab seats up to six people with maximum legroom for optimal passenger comfort. It’s only available on heavy-duty pickups, so it balances interior space and hefty towing capabilities.
Which Box Length is Best?
Box length is another characteristic to consider when you’re looking to buy a pickup. Also referred to as bed size, a truck’s box length affects how much you can haul in the truck bed. A 5-foot 7-inch box is a shorter bed with a lower curb weight for a higher towing capacity. A bed measuring 6 feet 4 inches is a good compromise when you need more bed space but don’t want to take away from your maximum towing figure. The extended 8-foot box accommodates the most oversized cargo but decreases the truck’s max towing, given its heavier weight. Ask yourself whether you want a car with more excellent towing capabilities or a giant bed, and consider your options from there.
Stop by Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Lewisville to discover all your Ram pickup options.