Hi everyone,
After a lot of testing, research, and shopping we finally bought our new tow vehicle. It’s a new 2013, and the value for the money was great for us.
As part of thanking those that helped answering questions I had over the past few weeks, I thought I would take the time to give you a report of what we think of the truck in its very early days. Being in Canada, I’ll use both km and mile values for ease of reference for our American friends.
First, the options: This truck is grey metallic (“maximum steel”) with the dark brown leather (with longhorn options and stitching). The interior is simply amazing. The only thing missing is the CD player and the DVD player. I ordered the tonneau hard cover and mud flaps as the only other options.
Upon delivery I asked that the tires be set to the ‘light load’ option, and I’m impressed with the ride. It is a 2500 and the ride is stiffer than my old 2001 Chev Tahoe, but that’s just the way it is with a bigger heavier truck. Being a Canadian truck the full Uconnect option is not available, but I read a Chrysler Canada news release just last week, and Rogers in Canada and Sprint in the US are getting together to provide for that up here. When that starts was not announced.
About a week after we took delivery, we visited family (with recent health issues) about 600 km (375 miles) northeast of us. We did not tow, and wanted to give it a good run over different road conditions. We had a mix of weather (sorry – no snow yet!) and traffic conditions from the busy 400 series freeways to secondary 2 lane highways.
As of today, I have just over 2,100 kms (1,300 miles) on the truck. I am extremely impressed with the quality of the build, the handling, and the ride. I know the usage is very low yet, but we had a lemon of a car we bought new (2006 Pontiac G6) that was a nightmare for us, and we found that out within the first couple weeks, so we are very alive to quality issues! As a side note, we traded that piece of junk in just before the warranty expired for what has been the best car we’ve owned, a new (at the time) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Back to the Ram……!
All options work flawlessly. Not even a rattle or a squeak - just a great truck!
This is the first diesel engine in a vehicle for us. However, very close friends of ours are farmers and use CaseIH equipment. They have loved the Cummins engines in their tractors and combines they’ve had and have. The 2013 Rams are also the ones that use DEF. I’ve never owned or driven diesels pre or post emissions, so I have no experience in making the comparison for you. I can tell you this: The engine has a ton or torque to it! I can’t wait to start towing given how this engine wants to pull!
The engine’s response is very impressive. If you step on it to pass, the engine response is no different to me than a gasoline engine. At one point I had to pass an idiot who was driving and texting and going far below the posted speed limit in a hilly area on a 2 lane highway. When I stepped on it to pass, the truck moved like a bullet and did so with no effort and the truck was very stable.
Now here’s the interesting part: fuel mileage. We took delivery of the truck on a Friday, and the following Thursday we headed on our trip. I topped off the fuel tank before we left and I punched the cruise control in at 105 km/hr (65 mph) on the 400 series highways. We left the house and stopped for a health break and a coffee about 3 hours driving time from us (Barrie, Ontario). The trip computer showed that my “mileage” was 9.6 L per 100 km. For my American friends, that’s 24.5 MPG (US gallons). For my fellow Canadians who are used to our old system, that’s 29.4 MPG (Imperial gallons). I was very pleased!
I also found that the engine hated secondary highways with posted limits of 80kmh (50mph) or 90kmh (55 mph). The engine seemed to lug and shift more – it wanted to work! 105kmh (65mph) on the highway seemed to be the engine’s “sweet spot”, when not towing.
I’ve been using the truck around the city as well, and the fuel usage has dropped. City driving I’m getting 15.1 L per 100 km. Again, for my American friends, that’s 15.6 MPG (US gallons). For my fellow Canadians who are used to our old system, that’s 18.7 MPG (Imperial gallons).
Once again, I know we are in very early days. However, if our experience continues like this, I think we’ll be very pleased – can’t wait to tow! On that note, thanks again to those who helped answer questions I had leading up to our purchase. I hope you find what I’ve provided to be helpful in return for your shopping information.
Best regards from a new Ram (and our first!) owners!!!
