Long-Term Road Tests

Thanks to vwthing1 for this week's favorite caption.

Here are the others that made us roar:

Damn, Ford Raptors! (ergsum)
I don't trust these valets at Jurassic Parking. (ergsum)
So this is what it's like to be a standalone brand. (lowmilelude)
My name is Ram, and I could really use some help please. (lowmilelude)
I think I just oiled myself! (ergsum)
Do you think they saurus? (aleclance)
Hemisaurus-rex (ddoouugg)
La Brea Mopar Pits (ddoouugg)
Watch out, they can smell red ink! (ergsum)
Damn, they over grilled my meal again! (ergsum)
Hey, they left the keys! Lets take it! (ergsum)
I'll pass. I'll grab a Prius later. The doc says I need to eat more greens. (ergsum)
Ram Box Lunch (ergsum)
Gone in 60 seconds with one foot of rollout (like on a drag strip) (subaru123)
Obama Administration Thugs Corner Edmund's Staffer Over Clunkers Flap (rick8365)

What was your favorite?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Vehicle Testing Director Dan Edmunds took this picture of our Dodge Ram in a minor predicament.

We suggest: Spy Shots: Ram Caught Dino Testing

What is your caption?

We'll post our favorite this afternoon.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

By now you've heard many times about the revolutionary new coil spring suspension that Dodge engineers put in the back of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. You've also heard us rave about how much we like it, whether driving it around empty, towing, hauling or off-roading.

This suspension played no small part in the Ram's victory in our recent 4-way truck comparison test in which it defeated the other main players in the 1/2-ton truck market from Ford, Chevy and Toyota.

But we've never actually shown you that suspension...until now.

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Ram 1500: Suspension Walkaround.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

A handful of friends got together this past weekend to remember Howard Rayon, a good friend who lost his battle with cancer a couple of weeks ago.

Howard was an amazing guy who could not sit still: he was a firefighter who rose to the level of Deputy Chief of the Santee, California fire department, a lawyer who practiced labor law, he sat on the board of his local credit union, he was part of an arson investigation strike force and he played a key role on a travelling management team that coordinated the response to large-scale brush fires and other disasters all over the country.

I knew him as an SCCA member who raced a Formula Vee and worked as a volunteer course marshall at small club events and large professional races alike. That eventually grew into a 9-year stint as a travelling member of the CART/Champ Car/Indy Car  safety team, the on-track rescue squad that helped get drivers with names you'd recognize safely out of their wrecked racecars at tracks around the globe.

Borrego Springs was one of the quiet places he liked to visit on those rare occasions when he allowed himself some downtime, so a tight-knit group of his racing friends piled into off-road vehicles and headed for a remote overlook in the Borrego Badlands to watch the sun set and tell Howard stories.

Five of us climbed into the 2009 Dodge Ram truck for the trip. Everyone had plenty of space in the new Crew Cab and the RamBox storage compartments proved a handy place to keep the coats and jackets we'd need after sunset dust free. Out back, the RamBox's bed divider kept the all-important cooler and folding chairs from slamming about on the dusty track.

The route wasn't particularly challenging, but the coil spring rear suspension proved its worth once more by providing an admirable combination of good ride and good articulation over the bumps and dips. My passengers did grumble about the lack of roof-mounted grab handles a time or two as we lurched along the rougher sections, however.

Adios, my friend.

Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing  

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

This past weekend our 2009 Dodge Ram didn't do any heavy lifting. It didn't haul anything, tow anything, or crush anything. Instead it just transported a few girls from shopping malls to outdoor eateries, same as any comfortable sedan.

And none of the women complained about it either. Once loaded up, the ladies seemed mostly impressed with its un-trucklike qualities. The roomy rear seat, the softly padded center console, the contrasting interior stitching, as well as the Ram's nav, Satellite radio and heated seats were all complimented.

But I felt kinda felt bad for the Ram, making it play shopping cart all day. Especially when it's so obvious that it can do so much more.

Kelly Toepke, News Editor @ 12,976 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

As Bryn mentioned, we were still waiting to get the go-ahead from our insurance carrier before repairing the rear bumper damage on our 2009 Dodge Ram. Not long after her post went up, we received the settlement check. And the repairs were completed just as quickly.

Within 2 days the new bumper was ordered, shipped and installed. The at-fault driver's insurance company picked up the $637.43 tab.

Days out of service: 2

Total Cost: None

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 12,749 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

I was standing behind our long-term Ram the other day and happened to notice that the plastic piece on our rear bumper is warping. Deja vu. At least it doesn't get in the way of operating the tailgate, like it did on our long-term Dodge Grand Caravan.

Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Below are the fuel economy numbers for October 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: October 2009 .

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

Yesterday, I decided to tackle changing the clock in our long-term Dodge Ram. It was a pleasantly quick and easy process. No RTFMing needed.

I just tapped the clock display on the radio's main screen and up popped the screen pictured above left. Tapped the "daylight savings" virtual button once and it moved the clock to standard time just like that (above right). I hit the "save" button, and was done with it.

Did you change your car's clock yet? Was it easy?

Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 12,774 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Question:

How much can we squeeze into the Ram Box in our 
2009 Dodge Ram?

 Answer after the break...

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Ram 1500: Ram Box.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

For some of us, comfortable accommodation of two Golden Retrievers (medium-sized, extra-goofy) is a primary requirement for any vehicle we're going to take on the road. Happily, our Dodge Ram easily meets that standard. With just a sheet tossed over the back seat and floor to contain the shedding, it had Callie and Tequila sleeping soundly through back-to-back-to-back three-hour, 200-mile stints this weekend.  

If it did nothing else, the Ram would already be a winner for me.

But of course, it does a lot more. Its human passengers are just as comfy in front, thanks to well cushioned seats that sit at natural chair height. And the smooth freeway ride helps make a nine-hour trip tolerable. The thing even steers nicely for its size, and corners willingly

I've become a big fan of the Ram boxes in the bed sides, with their ability to accept all the gear you'd rather not leave out in the open, -- a power drill, and some kitchen appliances in this case-- but also don't want fighting the dogs for space in the back seat. Yes, the boxes squeeze bed space a bit, but I don't find that objectionable.

On our northbound leg, we got 15-16 miles per gallon at a sustained 75-ish on I-5.  Not at all bad, given the truck's size and mass. Coming back, Mother Nature provided a welcome boost in the form of a persistent and powerful tail wind. A dip in the jet stream put a strong southerly flow over most of the west coast that day, and with a load only slightly lighter, and at the same speed on the same route, we got 18-19 mpg coming home. 

We didn't buy extra kibble with the money we saved on gas, but we could have.

Kevin Smith, Editorial Director @ 12,579 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

It's 6:30 in the AM. I brewed a cup of nasty instant coffee and started packing up my camping gear. I had a big day ahead of me and every minute counts.

Just after the sun rose over the Mojave I jumped on the 395 heading to Tahoe. I volunteered to close my family's summer cabin down for the approaching winter. Thankfully my 370 mile drive north could be tempered with satellite radio.

When I got to my cabin, it was cold and miserable. I rushed through the various steps to winterize the cabin so I could get away from the mix of freezing rain and snow coming down outside. I was done in under two hours and started south to Truckee, the nearest big town with cell reception and gas stations. I drove the hour to get there and called my folks to tell them I was done. As I spoke the words "it's closed," I realized I had left the valve toward the shower head. Bad things could happen, I had to go back...

The clock was not my friend. I made the long drive back to LA, doubling up on some NOS energy drinks and listening to Dodgers blow it in the 9th. The drive was made easier by the fairly large fuel tank (26 gallons), and considering the big engine and bulky truck it's powering, I got a decent 16mpg on the drive back. The ample room inside also made of a comfortable ride.

I normally wouldn't recommend driving 950 miles in one day. But if I ever have to make one of those grueling slogs again, I know that the Ram wouldn't be a bad choice. As long as there a decent number of gas stations along the way.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer @ 11,140 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

I went for an extended romp in the Mojave over this past weekend. After spending quite a bit of time in the harsh climate, you get dried out.

At about 1am, I woke up plenty thirsty even though I had been putting down the water all day. I stumbled out of my tent and out to the truck to grab a something to drink. I was pretty sure I'd have to hunt for the water in the moonless night, but to my surprise, the thing light up when I popped the hatch! It was like Vincent Vega opening the case in Pulp Fiction.

When you're tired, thirsty and just want to get back to bed, the little things like this are a blessing.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer @ 9,890 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Two weeks ago the family and I made a trip up the coast to Lake Lopez which is just outside of San Luis Obispo on the central coast. I programmed the destination into the nav system which then proceeded to be mightily confused. Specifically, it wouldn't highlight the route or show a list of turns. In other words, it wouldn't navigate.

I bought a map.

Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Unlike Mr. Hellwig, I'm a big fan of the Rambox. The saddlebags are perfectly suited to the way I use a truck, providing storage for dirty or heavy items which I don't want to carry in the cab. They greatly increase the truck's lockable storage space and create only a minimum compromise to my use of the bed. And, until now, they've done this perfectly.However... 

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Ram 1500: Rambox -- Brilliant Idea, Sorry Execution.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500