Dodge Ram Mega Cab 2500

In this day and age where the word "mega" has been widely over-used and mis-used, it's a nice surprise to see a case when mega really does mean MEGA. The Dodge Ram Mega Cab 2500 Laramie 4x4 is one such example. By any measurement this is a mega-sized truck. I grew up with Chevy Suburbans and Ford Supercabs, and this Mega Cab really pushed me to the edges of my comfort zone when it came to parking and driving on city streets. But despite its mega size, this was a very enjoyable truck to drive and I really hated having to give the keys back to Chrysler.

SPECIFICATIONS
Price
Base Price	CAD$48,600
Price as Tested	CAD$68,705
DODGE RAM 2500 LARAMIE MEGA CAB 4x4
Exterior Colour	Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Interior Colour:	Med Slate Gray
Interior	Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats Low Back Bucket Seats
Engine	6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine
Transmission	6-Spd Automatic 68RFE Transmission
PEFORMANCE
Horsepower	350 hp (261 kW)
Torque	Manual: 610 lb-ft (881 N.m) Automatic: 650 lb-ft (881 N.m)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy)	21.4 / 14.7 L/100 km 13 / 19.2 mpg (Imperial) 11 / 16 mpg (US)
Weight	2,434 kg (5,366 lbs)
Towing Capacity	3,742 kg (8,250 lbs)
Payload	603 kg (1,330 lbs)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Functional / Safety Features	Air Bags - Front, Next Gen, Multistage Front height Adjustable Shoulder Belts Anti-lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes 136 Amp Alternator 600 Amp Maintenance-Free Battery 750 Amp Maintenance-Free Battery Electronically Controlled Throttle Electronic Shift-on-the-fly Transfer Case 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler Next Generation engine Controller Power Adjustable Pedals Remote Keyless Entry Security Alarm Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System Speed Control Tilt Steering Column 3.73 Axle Ratio 5,200 lb Front Axle GVW Rating - 8800 lbs 10.50 Rear Axle
Interior Features	Air Conditioning w/Dual Zone Temp. Control AM/FM Compact Disc Radio 4 Speakers Power 6-way Driver/Passenger Seats Power Windows, Driver One-Touch Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away Power Locks Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel Heated Front Seats Passenger Assist Handle 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat Overhead Console w/Trip Computer Front Center Seat Cushion Storage
Exterior Features	LT265/70R17E BSW On/Off Road Tires 17x8.0 Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring Full Size Spare Tire Tinted Glass Windows Fog Lamps
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
Protection Group
Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
Supplemental Side Air Bags
6-Spd Automatic 68RFE Transmission
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine
11.50 Rear Axle
Tow Hooks
Rear Window Defroster
Power Trailer Tow Mirrors, Fold-away
Power Sunroof
Chrome Tubular Side Steps
Diesel Exhaust Brake
6 CD / Full Map GPS Display Nav Radio
7 Infinity Speakers
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls
Sirius Satellite Radio
UConnect Hands-Free Communication
Front Hood Protection Shield
Under Rail Box Bedliner
Rear Seat Video System
Bluetec Diesel System

This Dodge was a lot of fun to drive. Acceleration was quite good, especially when you consider that this is a 2400 kg vehicle. The 6.7L diesel was equipped with the Bluetec emissions control package and was designed to run on the new low sulphur diesel fuel. When stomping on the gas pedal, the transmission didn't kick down as low as in your typical gas motor truck but it didn't need to. The transmission is geared to take advantage of the Cummin's torque. The feel is similar to a jet plane accelerating down the runway. It's not abrupt. Instead, it's smooth and very forceful. It seemed a bit plodding until I looked at the speedometer and realized how fast I was going. Fortunately, the four-wheel disc brakes worked well enough to slow this weighty beast down to legal speeds. Assisting the brakes is the integrated diesel exhaust brake which is a first for a North American truck.

With a payload of 600 kgs, I was quite surprised at how well the truck handled with an empty bed. The back end wasn't prone to hopping like I thought it would be. But on rain-slicked roads I did have to be careful because the diesel could easily break traction. Even with what I thought was restrained application of the throttle, leaving from a stop light required care to avoid wheel spin. Okay, maybe I should put quotes around "restrained," but the point remains that lots of torque and an empty bed = wheelspin until you get used to the vehicle's habits.

Visibility was great. The curved front hood and fenders gave me a very good view of the road and the large mirrors took care of the blind spots caused by sitting in such a tall and long truck. One thing I really would have liked to have, though, was either a rear bumper obstacle detection system, or else a backup TV camera.

Interior amenities were plentiful. Besides a full power package (seats, windows, sunroof, etc.) the Mega Cab was equipped with CD/MP3 player with external input, GPS navigation system, and satellite radio. Very ni-i-i-ice. The entertainment system was integrated with the rear, roof-mounted DVD player so the driver (eg: parent) can control the volume of the passengers' (eg: kids) rear speakers while they're watching a DVD. And if you don't want to hear the DVD at all, the system comes with a pair of wireless head phones so the kids can watch Finding Nemo for the 745th time while you listen to the traffic report. Speaking of wireless, the truck also had the Uconnect Bluetooth system that wirelessly integrates a cell phone into the entertainment system. It was a simple matter to setup the system to recognize my Motorola cell phone. When a call came in, I could press a button on the rear view mirror to accept the call and the music would automatically mute while I used the truck's speakers and built-in microphone to talk to the caller. To make calls, I had the option of saying the phone numbers out loud and the Uconnect system would connect to my phone and dial those numbers. Very, very slick.

Interior room is very abundant. There is no shortage of leg room for front or rear passengers. The Mega Cab fully lives up to its name and can easily seat five full-grown and overweight, or should I say "reubenseque," people. And behind the rear passengers is even more room for storing gear such as backpacks, suitcases, tools, or shopping bags (along with bag hangers so they don't tumble around while driving). There is also in-floor storage for those things you want to keep out of sight or out of the way. The rear 60/40 split bench seat makes access to this rear area a breeze. And with both halves folded down, there's lot room for carrying large, bulky objects inside the cab, too. Reaching into the back of the cab is very easy thanks to the full-size doors and optional steps. The optional side steps are mandatory items, in my opinion, due to the truck's height. Without them, it would have been quite awkward to load and unload items behind the rear seat.

If you can live with the huge size and fuel consumption, this is a very versatile truck. With its large box, ample seating room, interior amenities, and serious towing capability, it's hard to think of a job that the Mega Cab could not handle. If you need to haul a work crew around, the Mega Cab easily seats 5 adults and all their tools and supplies. And if you've got kids, the DVD player will keep them entertained them on long trips...and the wireless headphones will keep you happy, too.

	At work.
At play.	Fun to drive.
6.7L Cummins Diesel with Bluetec Emissions package.	A very heavy duty 11.5 differential. Note the huge gusseting around the housing.
The interior is filled with useful and enjoyable amenities.	Sirius satellite radio, CD changer, AM/FM, Uconnect wireless cellphone support, it's all there.
GPS navigation, too!	The rear DVD player and wireless headsets kept the passengers occupied.
Rear seating was very roomy.	Access to the cargo area behind the rear seats was made easy by the 60/40 folding bench seat.
With the bench folded flat, there was lots of useable space for in-cab cargo.