Ram Trucks Australia is a joint undertaking between the Walkinshaw Automotive Group and Ateco Automotive. Since 2015, it has been remanufacturing brand new left-hand drive US import Ram trucks and converting them locally to right-hand drive. It's expected that the company will make 7,000 utes this year, from its 24-hour production plant in Clayton, Melbourne.
Importing a truck from the USA and remanufacturing it here is quite a unique process. Why should you buy a Ram 1500 or 2500 over a readily available and popular HiLux or Ford Ranger, for example? And what should you consider when buying one of these super utes?
Ram utes have a throaty and powerful engine. The 1500 sells with either a 5.7-litre petrol Hemi V8 or a 3.0-litre V6 diesel. These engines produce 291kW and 179kW respectively. That makes them especially powerful for the ute segment. Where they really stand out, and where drivers will notice it most, is the maximum torque produced. The V8 churns out 556Nm and the V6 EcoDiesel a cool 569Nm. Most utes have around 450Nm. Only a V6 Volkswagen Amarok gets near, with 550Nm. Drivers will notice the high torque levels when hooked up to a trailer or driving around at low speeds, with the 1500 feeling eager and unstressed in getting moving.
For those who want even more power, the Ram 2500 makes sense. It trumps pretty much everything else in the segment, with its 6.5-litre, straight-six turbo diesel. The powerplant makes 276kW and a startling 1,084Nm of torque. What's interesting, the engine makes peak power at just 2,800rpm and max torque kicks in at a mere 1,600rpm. That means you have more power underfoot at lower revs and speeds.
The typical class standard towing capacity manufacturers aim for is 3.5 tonnes. The Ram 1500 Laramie diesel, which has the lowest towing capacity, will tow that. The rest of the range can handle 4.5 tonnes, payload and axle ratio-dependent.
Then, for those with the correct licence and hitch, the 2500 can handle trailers up to 6,942kg! Ordinarily, you'd have to buy a small truck to tow that much. Plus you'd sacrifice some off-roading ability in the process. That means the 2500 will appeal to those who work in accident recovery, caravan and boat transport, classic car towing and owners of race/track-day cars.
The average pick-up style ute might have between 1,400mm and 1,560mm of useable load length. The Ram 1500 comes in two tray lengths: the Express model has a 1,930.4mm length tub and the Laramie 1500s have 1,701.8mm. That means you could potentially fit a 4x4 ATV or motocross bike in the back, with the optional tailgate extender.
The integral RamBox storage lockers are unique in the ute segment. These lockable storage areas provide a neat, compact place to store all kinds of tools and equipment. They are even tied into the central locking. They do cost quite a bit, but for some buyers, the drainable, illuminated lockers will be an absolute must.
Adding together the mass of the Ram, a heavy payload and a big trailer could see you requiring a different licence depending on the state and territory you live in.
This is one area that you'll have to factor into your decision making. The most frugal utes in class will use as little as 6.5L/100km, like the 10-speed, twin-turbocharged Ford Ranger. The most fuel-efficient Ram Truck burns through 9.9L/100km (the 5.7 V8-engined 1500 Express or 1500 Laramie with an axle ratio of 3.21), while there are no official figures for the 2500.
Looking online, unladen the 2500 might achieve low 12s, which is impressive considering its mass and towing capability. While hitched up to a trailer though, those figures could end up as high as 21.3L/100km.
That's something you'd have to consider. Think of it more like a sacrifice for having a high towing limit and gutsy engine.
The Ram 1500 and 2500 are not small utes that handle like passenger cars. You might find their sheer size a handful in tight city streets and car parks.
We're becoming more accustomed to modern vehicles having layers of active safety equipment. The Ram models don't have quite as many technological gadgets as some of the smaller, mass-market utes which get full scores from ANCAP.
Some car reviewers have commented that the Ram models quickly get costly once you start adding optional extras and styling packs. Prices start from $79,950, not including ORCs.
The Rams truly stand out on local roads. For some buyers, having a big ute that'll turn heads will be desirable. If you're a tradie, having one of these with your company details emblazoned on the side could set you apart and get you new business.
For such a big ute, the 1500 and 2500 have pretty average payloads, comparable with a top-of-the-range 4x4 Ford Ranger dual-cab, but are outdone by some rivals like the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT50.
You don't get capped price servicing, but you do get a 3-year/100,000km warranty on all models and 3 years' roadside assistance. There are 52 dealers around Australia.
Which Ram model is best?
That really depends on what you want to do. Each buyer is different.
Which Ram should I buy for a family car?
Unless you need to tow a crazy heavy trailer or caravan, then the 1500 Laramie with a 5.7-litre V8 delivers the highest spec-level and passenger comfort features.
Which Ram ute is best for towing?
The Ram 2500 with a pintle style tow hitch can handle up to 6.9 tonnes of trailer. That's mind-boggling and nearly double the average "ordinary ute".
Which Ram ute is best for use as a work truck?
The 1500 Express has a long load bed, a cabin that's less equipped and comes in at a minimum price of around $79,950, excluding on-road costs.
Ram Trucks Australia financing
Looking to buy a Ram 1500 or 2500? By taking a few moments and comparing financing below, you could save hundreds of dollars over the loan agreement. It only takes a few moments.
Ben Gribbin is an automotive writer at Finder. He is a life-long car enthusiast, bringing many years of experience working with and writing about cars. During his time, Ben has been a freelance writer, editor and reviewer for a number of leading publications across the UK. He was voted the Guild of Motoring Writers Breakthrough Blogger in 2015.
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