2016 Ram 1500 short driving impressions
I needed to go to OH to get some big trucks parts. My truck needs the parts so it was out of the question and my buddies F350 SRW was being used and the FIL F150 crew ecoboost was taken him so it was either the wife's crossover or rent a minivan. Around the weekends here the minivans prices skyrocket for renting so found I could rent a Ram 1500 5.7l for about $40 cheaper PER day. These are only available around airports so had to ride train about 1 hour to get it but it was worth it.
I got in and immediately had problems putting it in gear. Been driving older vehicles so long didn't know that the gear shifter are knobs on dash now so after pulling air a few times trying to pull the steering wheel mounted shifter down just turned the knob and away I went. Knowing it is apples to oranges comparison the cab is smaller than the superduty crew cabs I am used to but the ride was really smooth. Almost car like but it absorbed the potholes (is craters) and speed bumps well with no bouncing or thuds.
Getting this on the highway setting the cruise and hitting the mileage reset I thought something was broke when it registered 30+ mpg on a sort stretch of level highway at 65 mph. My wife's crossover barely gets that. Getting it loaded with family I drove it 400 miles through hills, stop and go traffic and otherwise at 75-80 mph and ended up with an avg of 22 mpg with 2 adults, 1 kid and 4 suit cases. I have never seen mileage like that with any half ton not even my diesels. Up to now I thought the hemi's were gas guzzlers getting the typical to me 16 mpg best on highway but over 800 miles of driving the consistent mileage was 21 mpg and I was loaded on the way back and flying when I could (running late).
My FIL ecoboost was the best mileage I have seen out of a half ton but on the highway with the 8 speed auto and cylinder deactivation the Ram appears to win hands down. Didn't get to tow with it because they remove the hitches but for my first experience with a Ram truck I am thoroughly impressed.
I got in and immediately had problems putting it in gear. Been driving older vehicles so long didn't know that the gear shifter are knobs on dash now so after pulling air a few times trying to pull the steering wheel mounted shifter down just turned the knob and away I went. Knowing it is apples to oranges comparison the cab is smaller than the superduty crew cabs I am used to but the ride was really smooth. Almost car like but it absorbed the potholes (is craters) and speed bumps well with no bouncing or thuds.
Getting this on the highway setting the cruise and hitting the mileage reset I thought something was broke when it registered 30+ mpg on a sort stretch of level highway at 65 mph. My wife's crossover barely gets that. Getting it loaded with family I drove it 400 miles through hills, stop and go traffic and otherwise at 75-80 mph and ended up with an avg of 22 mpg with 2 adults, 1 kid and 4 suit cases. I have never seen mileage like that with any half ton not even my diesels. Up to now I thought the hemi's were gas guzzlers getting the typical to me 16 mpg best on highway but over 800 miles of driving the consistent mileage was 21 mpg and I was loaded on the way back and flying when I could (running late).
My FIL ecoboost was the best mileage I have seen out of a half ton but on the highway with the 8 speed auto and cylinder deactivation the Ram appears to win hands down. Didn't get to tow with it because they remove the hitches but for my first experience with a Ram truck I am thoroughly impressed.
