2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn/lone Star Crew Cab 4x4 57" Box on 2040-cars

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Auto journo learns hard way that new vehicles burn differently than old ones

Terry Box, a writer for the Dallas Morning News, was tootling down the Dallas North Tollway in a Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn pickup after work and enjoying the ride. Box thought the $53,335, option-filled press loaner had been "flawless - very serious competition for anything built by Ford or Chevy." And then, for reasons that still aren't clear, something in the engine compartment caught fire and the Ram cremated itself on the shoulder of an off-ramp.
Box tells the story and it isn't an indictment of the truck, but a cautionary tale about how new vehicles don't burn like the old ones did - and why not to go back for your gym bag. It could also be a kind reminder about what kind of safety gear everyone should keep in their cars. Click the link to read the whole piece.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.4M Ram pickups: Tailgates could open

Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1.4 million Ram pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate that may malfunction and open unexpectedly. The recall affects certain Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks from 2015 through the 2017 model years equipped with 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-4 cargo beds. Trucks with 8-foot beds are excluded, as are those with manual-locking tailgates. FCA says the tailgate actuator limiter tab could break and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving, spilling cargo into the road and causing an accident. The company says it is not aware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem, and it will notify customers when service becomes available, expected to start Sept. 14. It will repair the problem at dealerships free of charge. Most of the affected trucks — about 1.14 million — are in the U.S., but an estimated 260,315 were sold in Canada and nearly 45,000 will be subject to recalls in Mexico and outside the NAFTA region. Related Video:

Ram 1500 is first full-size pickup to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Fiat Chrysler says the Ram 1500 Crew Cab truck has been named a Top Safety Pick+ for 2019 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, making it the first full-size pickup to earn the sought-after top designation. The rating applies to the 2020 and to current-year models built since May, when equipped with adaptive LED headlamps with high-beam assist, plus Ram’s automatic emergency braking system, a.k.a. forward collision mitigation. The addition of the LED projector headlamps appears to have sealed the deal, as previously tested versions of the 2019 Ram 1500 built after July 2018 but before June of this year earned “marginal” and “poor” marks for headlights, IIHSÂ’s newest requirement to earn the top mark. The truck had otherwise previously earned “good” ratings for all crash tests, including driver- and passenger-side small overlap and side crashes. The headlamps are available on the Laramie and Limited trims.  2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel View 46 Photos Ram uses an integrated radar camera module to enable its forward collision mitigation system, which earned a “superior” rating. FCA consolidated the radar and camera components behind the vehicleÂ’s rear-view mirror, which it says helps to simplify the interface and keeps the technology out of harmÂ’s way in the event of a collision. The system, which is also optional, first warns the driver to take action to avoid a collision, then activates the brakes automatically if the driver fails to intervene. Other safety systems available include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and ready alert braking. The 1500 also benefits from its patented splayed front frame-rails, which help better manage crash energy in certain frontal collisions. Ram earlier this year rolled out its second-generation 260-horsepower EcoDiesel V6 for the 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic. ItÂ’s one of four engine options for the truck.