2022 RAM 2500

2022 has brought some wonderful models to the fore.  Big trucks like the RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 make the RAM Trucks showrooms extra enticing.  One of these models is called the RAM 2500 Laramie, a real heavy duty truck/pick-up.  Loads of comfort, a nice interior, and massive power and space make these some, if not, the best big utes/trucks on the market in Australia.  They ask a hefty price tag, but the drive is superb, and you won’t get stuck very easily in one of these on-road/off-road kings!

An equally impressive rival, the Chevrolet Silverado, has its work cut out with the sweet new versions in the RAM Trucks stable being available, but both of these Kings of the road sing the same tune of being big, bold and built tough.  So, what’s to like about the latest RAM 2500?  It is a heavy duty hauler that has been visually overhauled inside and out, now brimming with the latest new safety and technology.  It does what it says on the tin, all in magnificent comfort, delivering peerless towing ability this side of a heavy truck licence.

You need to hand over a princely sum just shy of $180k for either the RAM 2500 Laramie or Laramie Rambox.  The new RAM 2500 has been imported by a factory-approved RAM Trucks Australia outlet in Melbourne, where they convert the rig from left-hand-drive over to right-hand-drive by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group. Walkinshaw also happens to convert the GM-built Chevy Silverado to RHD.

To look at, the new model of RAM 2500 has had a fresh cut at the gib with new styling front and rear looking more in touch with modern architecture.  Lighter panels have been applied into its design, which helps contribute to an overall weight reduction of 64 kg.  The new chrome grille is big and bold, highlighting the fresh LED headlights that help to achieve a sharper impression.  Sitting on massive 18-inch wheels as standard, the 2500 Laramie’s first impressions are that this will dominate anything daring to cross a RAM’s path.

2022 RAM 2500

Beefy side steps and convenient grab rails make access and exit a relatively straightforward process, so slip inside the RAM 2500 interior, and six spacious seats are available, all adorned in partial leather trim.  The Laramie offers power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless entry/start, and even the full dual-zone climate control system, perfect for cooling down a ferocious summer’s day.  The big truck’s technology includes things like a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker Alpine stereo, and a 7.0-inch colour digital instrument cluster.  A 360-degree camera offers trailer reverse guidance control, and a secondary cargo-view camera is a standard fixture.  Five USB-A and four USB-C ports are handy items in this techie-age, and there’s even a rear power-sliding window to add to the big ute’s feeling of Outback domination.

Although untested here in Australia, the RAM 2500 has been crash-tested in the US under different testing protocols.  It is well kitted out with safety gear and built extremely strong.  The new RAM 2500 now boasts a full suite of airbags, adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning and avoidance system, active braking control, hill start assist, trailer sway control, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a digital rear-view mirror, a 360-degree camera view, plus forward- and rear-facing cameras all being standard.  For not a heck of a lot more, an optional Driver Assistance Level 1 Package adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path and trailer detection.

Buy one of these RAM 2500 trucks new, and you’re backed by a 3-year/100,000 km warranty through RAM Trucks Australia.  Under the hood is a Cummins-sourced 6.7-litre inline 6-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.  This big brute produces a serious 276 kW of power, which is backed by a monstrous 1152 Nm of torque that becomes available at a mere 1700 rpm.  The RAM 2500 also boasts an exhaust brake!  Drive is fed through a six-speed automatic transmission that’s been coupled to a BorgWarner electronic transfer case and new front and rear axles that offer greater strength and resilience to strenuous loads.

With a kerb weight of 3660 kg, the new RAM 2500 flies in under the 4.5-tonne heavy vehicle classification, allowing it to be driven using a regular car licence.  The hugely powerful engine enables a maximum braked towing capacity of 4500 kg when using a 70 mm conventional tow ball hitch, plus a payload of 835 kg.  The big ute’s towing capability extends to 8000 kg when using an auxiliary gooseneck tow hitch and air brakes.

For more practical objectives, the RAM 2500’s tray measures 1930 mm from the back of the crew cab to the tailgate.  It is fitted with 8 tie-down points and 2 rear-mounted lights that illuminate the space at night.  You can carry all sorts of heavy and large items in the tray that make the RAM perfect as both a travelling or work companion.  Being built on a proper ladder-frame chassis, the RAM 2500 is a no-nonsense workhorse.  A five-link coil-sprung rear suspension and frequency response damping shock absorbers combine with a 3-link coil front.  Of course, carrying heavy loads requires the best brakes, so 360 mm front and 358 mm rear disc brakes are clamped by twin-piston callipers.

2022 RAM 2500

The rear seat space offers excellent proportions for three large adults or even three child seats, such is the copious levels of room for head, shoulders, knees and toes.  Three top-tether and ISOFIX attachment points are provided for child restraints.  There are some door pockets and under-seat and under-floor storage.

Driving the 2022 RAM 2500 Laramie, and there is no escaping the fact that this baby is huge.  Ordinary car parks prove a challenge to swallow the sheer size of the RAM 2500.  You’ll need to give a bit of thought about just where you can find a suitable park.  However, it delivers a surprising degree of grace and control out on the open road tarmac, thanks to its grunty engine, quiet interior, adaptive cruise control, and decent ride quality.  Head for the side roads, and the new RAM 2500 feels nice and composed – even through the twisties.  The big inline-six is a turbo-diesel unit and feels as though it is perfect for any task.  It dials up the revs eagerly, is smooth while doing so, and offers boundless levels of torque.

Expect your new RAM 2500 to average around 14.0-litres/100 km in a mix of conditions.  With any serious weights towed or otherwise, the fuel consumption will increase accordingly.  Want the perfect tow machine?  The latest RAM 2500 or even the Chevrolet Silverado win these types of contests hands down.  Big is good!

2022 RAM 2500

The 2022 RAM 2500 Trucks include the:

• Laramie
• Laramie Rambox

For any more information on the new RAM 2500 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of RAM Truck dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!