The split upper and lower gloveboxes are another design trick we liked, and they're only t
Wet-Weather Wheeling
When it came time for some four-wheelin', we grabbed a new Power Wagon and headed out for a short trail ride. The hardscrabble hill country of central Texas is a well-kept secret among rockcrawlers, and our off-pavement course had its share of rock-strewn creekbeds, which the Power Wagon negotiated with little fuss, thanks to the added articulation afforded by its electronic swaybar disconnects and Bilstein shocks. We also encountered some genuinely greasy mud on our ride, due to recent thunderstorms. Here, we discovered the Power Wagon's only discernible weak link on the trail. The Power Wagon's OE-issue BFG Rugged Trail radial, while a superior all-season tire, is slightly out of its league in really slimy mud, and its treads were easy to pack up with slop, resulting in plenty of wheelspin and necessitating some steering correction while the TracRite front and rear lockers hooked up. Otherwise, the Wagon performed in exemplary fashion-and regardless, we didn't need to worry about getting irretrievably stuck, knowing that the 12,000-pound Warn winch housed in the factory front bumper (and an abundance of winch-anchor trees along our course) would make extraction from any worst-case scenario a breeze.
Bottom line: Dodge badly needed to upgrade the Ram HD inside and out in order to match the levels of refinement offered in current HD trucks from Ford and GM. Judging by our time behind the wheel, we think they've met the challenge-and in some cases, surpassed it. Naturally, in challenging economic times, the $64-billion question remains: Now that Dodge has the product, will buyers come calling soon? Only time will tell, but Chrysler can be justifiably proud of this truck all the same.
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD Cummins
What's Hot
Refined Laramie interior trim, jaw-dropping dually bed styling, in-dash trailer brake controller, could tow an Oshkosh MRAP.
What's Not
Diesel engine noise, vague steering feel, slightly choppy ride when unladen.
Our Take
Dodge's heavy-duty truck line returns in sleeker and more refined packaging with all of its legendary work-truck attributes intact.
2010 Dodge 2500 Power Wagon
What's Hot
Swaybar disconnects, Bilstein shocks, front and rear lockers, skidplates galore, 12,000-lb Warn winch.
What's Not
Could use a more aggressive tire.
Our Take
Given the current OEM penchant for downsizing model lines, it's a good sign that Dodge remains committed to building a fullsize work truck that can wheel like none other.
Specifications
Vehicle/model (tested): 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie
Crew Cab longbed
Price as tested: $57,050
Engine: 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel I-6
Rated hp/torque (lb-ft): 350/650
Transmission: 68RFE 6-spd automatic
Transfer case: NVG 273
4WD system: Part-time 2-spd. electric shift
Low-range ratio: 2.72:1
Frame type: Steel ladder
Suspension, f/r: Multilink, coil springs/leaf springs with overload leaf; monotube shocks
Axles: Corporate 9.25-in/AAM 11.50-in
Axle ratio: 4.10:1
Max crawl ratio: 36.03:1
Steering: Power, recirculating ball
Brakes: 14.2-in vented discs/14.0-in vented discs; 4-wheel ABS
Wheels: 17x8 polished aluminum
Tires: LT265/70R17E Michelin XS
Wheelbase (in): 168.9
Length (in): 259.4
Height (in): 78.3
Base curb weight (lb): 7,109
Approach/departure angles (deg): 24/26
Minimum ground clearance (in): 7.7
GVWR (lb): 12,200
Payload (lb): 2,990
Interior cargo volume (cu ft): 72.2
Max towing capacity (lb): 16,750
Fuel capacity (gal): 35
Specifications
Vehicle/model: (tested) 2010 Dodge 2500 Power Wagon
Price as tested: $48,255
Engine(s): 5.7L Hemi V-8
Rated hp/torque (lb-ft): 383/400
Transmission: 545RFE 5-spd. automatic
Transfer case: NVG 271
4WD system: Part-time 2-spd. manual shift w/4.0:1 low-range
Low-range ratio: 2.72:1
Frame type: Steel ladder
Suspension, f/r: Multilink, coil springs, electric swaybar disconnect/leaf springs; Bilstein monotube shocks
Axles: AAM 9.25-in/AAM 10.5-in; TracRite electric lockers
Axle ratio: 4.56:1
Max crawl ratio: 37.21:1
Steering: Power recirculating ball
Brakes, f/r: 14.2-in vented discs/14.0-in vented discs; 4-wheel ABS
Wheels: 17x8 forged aluminum
Tires: LT285/70R17D BFGoodrich Rugged Trail
Wheelbase (in): 148.9
Length (in): 237.4
Height (in): 79.1
Base curb weight (lb): 6,572
Approach/departure angles (deg): 22/27
Minimum ground clearance (in): 7.4
GVWR (lb): 8,510
Payload (lb): 1,940
Interior cargo volume (cu ft): 72.2
Max towing capacity (lb): 10,300
Fuel capacity (gal): 35