2011 Dodge Ram 1500: What's New

Vehicle Overview

The Dodge Ram 1500 light-duty pickup truck emphasizes aerodynamic styling with a unique grille-forward design; ride comfort with a segment-exclusive coil-spring rear suspension; and storage innovation with the RamBox. Dodge also addresses the basics with more power in the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and an excellent interior.

New for 2011

Chrysler isn’t resting after redesigning the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and improving its towing capacity in 2010. Two new models have been added to the Ram lineup for 2011.

The Ram Outdoorsman replaces last year’s TRX model with a package aimed at avid hunters, campers and fishermen. An optional fishing rod and rifle rack can be added at Ram dealers for trucks equipped with the optional RamBox cargo box. It also includes trailer-towing upgrades, interior and exterior convenience, lighting enhancements, all-terrain tires and underbody protection.

The Laramie Longhorn model is new, and it’s the most luxurious Ram truck yet. It’s aimed at Ford’s King Ranch and GMC’s Denali trims, with a handsome leather interior that includes cowboy boot-style patterns, burled walnut trim and all-weather rubber mats with removable Berber inserts. The Laramie Longhorn also includes a unique two-tone paint job.

Power-folding mirrors are a new option, and Hunter Green Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl and Sagebrush Green (Laramie Longhorn only) have been added as new exterior colors.

Exterior

Two of the unique features on the 2011 Ram 1500 are the optional RamBox and the truck’s standard coil-spring rear suspension. RamBox is available only on the crew cab. It features integrated, lockable storage boxes on each side of the bed that can hold up to 240 12-ounce beverage cans. These boxes basically take up the awkward space around the wheel wells, leaving a clean, rectangular cargo bed. The crew cab also features in-floor storage near the second-row seats. The multilink coil-spring suspension is based on proven designs used by Jeep and Dodge in its SUVs. The Dodge design provides an uncompromised ride, especially when the cargo bed is empty. The sporty Dodge Ram R/T model will feature optional 22-inch forged-aluminum wheels later in the year.

Exterior features include:

• Dual chrome-tipped exhaust integrated into rear bumper
• Adjustable cargo-rail tie-down system available
• Optional spray-in bedliner

Interior
The Ram 1500’s interior will still appeal to traditional owners, but it also offers many amenities — including premium seating with soft-touch materials and a console-mounted shifter — that will entice cosmopolitan owners, too. The seats’ stylish, full-width contrasting stitching comes on Sport and Laramie trims.

The new Laramie Longhorn is ultra-luxurious. It receives full leather seating with laser-etched bolsters, and the front seatbacks have silver steer-logoed metal buckles with magnetic clasps, like a mailbag. An exclusive instrument cluster has the appearance of hand-wrought jewelry with six liquid chrome gauge rings set against a painted taupe silver background and a tooled-metal Laramie Longhorn edition badge. The carpet is protected by specially designed all-weather rubber mats with polished metal Ram Laramie Longhorn edition Badge and removable carpet inserts. The Laramie Longhorn is equipped with all of the standard equipment found on the top-level Ram Laramie plus navigational radio, remote start, backup camera, front ventilated seats and rear heated seats.

Interior features include:

• Rear seat heating available in crew cab
• Available power-adjustable pedals
• Available rearview camera
• Available power-sliding rear window on quad cab
• Optional Garmin navigation system

Under the Hood

Several minor features help the Ram’s fuel economy. The front chin spoiler has been lengthened almost an inch to help improve aerodynamics, and the fuel system automatically stops sending gasoline to the engine when the truck decelerates. Models with the 3.7-liter V-6 receive a fuel-saver light that lets the driver know when the truck is being driven efficiently.

• 215-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6, iron block/aluminum cylinder heads, single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, 235 pounds-feet of torque
• 310-hp, 4.7-liter V-8, iron block/aluminum cylinder heads, single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, 330 pounds-feet of torque
• 380-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, iron block/aluminum cylinder heads, cam-in-block, two valves per cylinder, 404 pounds-feet of torque
• Four-speed automatic (standard with 3.7-liter)
• Five-speed automatic (standard with 4.7-liter, 5.7-liter)

Safety

The Ram 1500 has a number of advanced safety features, including antilock brakes and an electronic stability system, which reduces engine power if the system’s sensors detect a variance in the driver’s steering and the vehicle’s path. The Ram 1500 also offers trailer-sway control. There are also side curtain airbags on quad and crew cabs.

Other safety features include:

• Hill start assist keeps truck from rolling backward on steep hills
• Brake assist applies maximum braking power in panic situations

Of Interest to Truck Owners

Regular cab

• Gross vehicle weight rating: 6,025-6,600 pounds* (4×2), 6,350-6,600 pounds* (4×4)
• Payload: 1,340-1,900 pounds* (4×2), 1,440-1,550 pounds* (4×4)
• 4×2 maximum towing capacity: 3,400-3,800 pounds* (3.7-liter V-6), 6,650-7,650 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 6,100-10,450 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)
• 4×4 maximum towing capacity: 6,250-7,500 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 7,700-10,250 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)

Quad cab

• GVWR: 6,700 pounds (4×2 and 4×4)
• Payload: 1,660-1,780 pounds* (4×2), 1,420-1,490 pounds* (4×4)
• 4×2 maximum towing capacity: 3,400-3,800 pounds* (3.7-liter V-6), 6,200-7,250 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 5,800-10,200 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)
• 4×4 maximum towing capacity: 6,000-7,050 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 7,450-10,000 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)

Crew cab

• GVWR: 6,800 pounds (4×2 and 4×4) Payload: 1,650-1,690 pounds* (4×2), 1,430-1,470 pounds* (4×4)
• 4×2 maximum towing capacity: 6,150-7,200 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 5,700-10,200 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)
• 4×4 maximum towing capacity: 5,950-7,000 pounds* (4.7-liter V-8), 7,400-9,950 pounds* (5.7-liter V-8)

• Fuel tank capacity: 26 gallons (SWB), 32 gallons (LWB)
• Axle ratio: 3.21:1, 3.55:1, 3.92:1, 4.10:1 (Sport R/T only)
• Transfer-case ratio low range: 2.72:1
• Crawl ratio: 33.45:1 (5A with 4.10:1 axle), 31.99:1 (5A with 3.92:1 axle)
• Minimum ground clearance: 7.7 inches
• Approach angle: 19.2 degrees (quad cab 4×4, crew cab 4×4)
• Departure angle: 24.3 degrees (quad cab 4×4, crew cab 4×4)
• Ramp breakover: 15.2 degrees (quad cab 4×4, crew cab 4×4)
• Cargo-bed load height: 32.1-33 inches (depending on model)
• Cargo floor length: 67.4 inches (crew cab), 76.3 inches (quad cab, regular cab short bed), 96.3 inches (regular cab long bed)
• Cargo floor width: 66.4 inches
• Cargo floor width at wheel well: 51 inches
• Cargo bed depth: 20.0 inches (short bed), 20.1 inches (standard bed), 20.2 inches (long bed)

*Towing capacity depends on wheelbase, engine choice and axle ratio.