The 2012 Ram Heavy Duty models, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, are comfortable and highly capable, ready for serious towing or heavy-duty hauling.  The most capable Ram HD pickups will carry more than 5,000 pounds or tow more than 17,500 pounds. Other pickups may better those tow ratings, but whether they actually tow any better is another story.  The Ram Heavy Duty models will work for anyone who has work to do, be it hauling construction tools and materials, plowing driveways or dragging around big trailers.  They remain a compelling choice for anyone in need of a heavy-duty pickup truck.

Inside the '12 Ram

The Crew Cab offers essentially the same space in the front seat as the Regular Cab and provides a roomy back seat. Most Crew Cabs have a split folding rear seat and a center armrest, and all of them have three complete baby seat anchor sets and three adjustable headrests. The back seats flip up for cargo space. If you like to remove the rear seats for cargo storage you're left with a stepped floor. Coat hooks are above the rear window. The rear window can be powered open/close or replaced with a defrost-able window on most models.  The Mega Cab is nine inches longer than the Crew Cab. It has an extra five inches of legroom plus space behind the reclining seat back, and with the seats folded flat offers up a lot of cubic feet of lockable cargo space.  The seats are quite comfortable and widely adjustable, whether in the buckets or the front bench split 40/20/40.The seat cushion and backrest adjust as a unit, unlike the separate component approach that makes you go back-and-forth to get both pieces where you like.  Power adjustable pedals are available that combine with a tilt wheel and power seat adjustments to accommodate most of the population. You can even get a heated steering wheel and ventilated cooling front seats to maximize driver comfort. Interior storage is extensive because the heavy-duty has no shifter and gets an extra space in the console. Upper and lower door pockets are complemented by a variety of shapes from the broad tray on the dash that we emptied on the first corner to the under-floor storage areas behind the front seats; you can't reach these from the driver's seat but the liners are removable for cleaning and locks are available.  The audio and entertainment systems bring plenty of options and sonic performance.

2012 Ram Design

Roof clearance lamps, government-mandated for vehicles like dual-rear-wheel pickups that exceed a certain width, now use clear lenses for a better-integrated look. Upper trim level mirrors get puddle lamps, and the towing mirrors get turn signal repeaters and a separately adjustable, much larger wide-angle element at the bottom (in tow position); in the retraced position the outboard wide-angle element is very useful in traffic and tight parking areas as you can view both rear tires. Worth noting, you can adjust the electric mirrors without having the truck switched on. The towing mirrors are superb, providing an excellent view rearward.  A tailgate lock is standard.  On trucks with rearview cameras, the lens is far enough from the latch so you won't scratch it opening the gate, and it gets good protection and snow/ice rejection from the tailgate's upper lip. Bed rails are protected from load scuffing, and the bed is contoured for 2x4s and 2x6s to make it dual-level. A spray-in bedliner is now a factory option.

Model Lineup of the 2012 Ram

The 2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups come in ST, SLT, Outdoorsman, Power Wagon, and Laramie trim levels. In addition, there are Big Horn and regional editions. Three cab configurations are available: Regular, Crew Cab, Mega Cab. Two bed lengths are available, along with a choice of four wheelbases. Ram 3500 models are available with single or dual rear wheels. The Power Wagon is 2500 4WD, Crew Cab, gasoline only; Ram 3500 regular cab is DRW only; Mega Cabs come only with the short bed.

Ram 2500 comes standard with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and 5-speed automatic, no manual is offered; the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel is optional with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Ram 3500 models come standard with the Cummins diesel.  For adding your own box or work platform, 3500 Chassis Cab models are available, as are commercial-grade medium-duty Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks. You can also delete the cargo box on some 2500 and 3500 models.

Ram ST models are commercial-grade or a blank canvas depending on your point of view: gray-painted bumpers, chrome around the grille, black mirrors, crank windows on regular cab (power windows and locks on others), vinyl 40/20/40 seat, steel wheels and a manual-shift transfer case on 4WD. Vinyl floor covering is standard and can be ordered in place of carpet on all but Laramie models.  The ST also has an automatic transmission, 34-gallon fuel tank, air conditioning, Class IV hitch with 4/7-pin plugs, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, locking tailgate and tilt steering wheel. Options for Ram ST are plentiful, including a diesel engine (which adds front tow hooks and cruise control), power heated or towing mirrors, integrated trailer brake controller, sliding rear window, floor mats, cloth upholstery, DVD/HDD and Sirius audio, limited-slip differential, skid plates, various option groups, and choices for wheels, tires and axle ratios.

Ram SLT adds chrome, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, power windows (includes rear window on four-doors), carpeting, cloth upholstery, cruise control, Sirius radio, electric-switched transfer case, chrome wheels, in-dash tire-pressure display (2500 only) and the integrated trailer brake controller. Some notable SLT options are fog lamps, heated power towing mirrors, forged aluminum wheels, bucket seats and console, power seats, adjustable pedals and driver memory system, moonroof, navigation, Uconnect phone, remote start, back-up camera, security system, and rear park assist.

Ram Outdoorsman is a package based on an SLT luxury package with some additional extras. Standards include gray painted bumpers and fender flares, two-tone paint, body-color grille/black insert, fog lights, power folding/heated mirrors with signals, HomeLink, mud/slush floor mats, 115-VAC outlet, power split-bench seat, leather-wrapped wheel, LT265/70R17E on/off-road tires on forged aluminum wheels, security system, limited-slip differential, tow hooks, and remote start. Primary options are a moonroof and electronics: navigation, rear camera and/or park sensors, UConnect.

Ram Big Horn and Ram Lone Star editions are also available, essentially packages based on a Ram SLT.PPower Wagon comes in 2500 Crew Cab only and approximates SLT grade but is built with trail use in mind. It gets electric locking front and rear differentials, a front antisway bar disconnect, specific suspension with Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, a 12,000-lb Warn winch, skid plates, more lighting and two-tone paint and graphics. Options include luxury and convenience items such as power seats, moonroof, and navigation.

Ram Laramie adds more chrome, power adjustable pedals and heated mirrors on driver memory system, dual-zone climate control, 115-VAC outlet, universal door opener, 10-way/6-way power heated leather seats, heated leather steering wheel, nine-speaker DVD/HDD surround-sound audio, rear park sense, and security system. Laramie upgrades are generally limited to chrome packages, towing mirrors, skid plates, rear window defroster, heated/ventilated power bucket seats with floor console, moonroof, navigation, backup camera and wheel and axle ratio choices.

Conclusions

The Ram HD lineup brings a level of refinement that is long-term more significant than the sheetmetal it's wrapped up in. Proven drivelines and components, realistic hauling and towing ratings and performance, and a broad-based set of configurations and amenities will provide the right combo for your work truck, horse-hauler or recreational tow vehicle.  For more information on Ram HD truck, go to the Ram official website.