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 2010
Chrysler isn’t resting after redesigning the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The 2010 model receives a boost in towing that makes it much more competitive on paper with the rest of the trucks in its segment. The half-ton Ram can now pull up to 10,450 pounds. Along with the trailer-towing increase, the Ram also adds optional folding trailer-towing mirrors and an optional integrated trailer-brake controller. Other notable changes included improved iPod connectivity, plus a new tire pressure monitoring system.
Exterior
Two of the more interesting features on the 2010 Ram are RamBox and the truck’s 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 get new, optional 22-inch forged-aluminum wheels later in the year.
- Dual chrome-tipped exhaust integrated into rear bumper
- Adjustable cargo-rail tie-down system available
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. 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
Under the Hood
Several minor refinements may help improve 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
- GVW: 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
- GVW: 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.
