2022 Ram Promaster High Roof on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ford, Ram in heavy-duty towing spat

Every pickup truck commercial has the brand trying to convince us that its model is the biggest, brawniest vehicle on the block. But Ford and Ram appear ready to really throw down the gauntlet and scrap over the towing figures for their heavy-duty models, and it could potentially end up in court.
The issue revolves around what it means to be best in class. Ford claims that its 2015 F-450 (pictured above) has a max tow rating of 31,200 pounds, compared to 30,000 pounds for the Ram 3500 (right). However, both companies market these heavy haulers as having the top towing in their class. According to Automotive News, Ford is threatening legal action if Ram doesn't back down.
The situation isn't as simple as just comparing the numbers, though. First, the two companies calculate their towing capacities differently. Ram adheres to the SAE J2807 rating, while Ford uses its own internal system. Although, as the company introduces new models, they are certified using the SAE standard. "When an all-new F-Series Super Duty is introduced, it also will use SAE J2807," said Ford to Autoblog in an emailed statement.

Ram Laramie Longhorn's interior is a crass cacophony of cowboy cues

When we think of quality luxurious interiors, some of the first brands that come to mind are Audi and Volvo. They have elegant, simple interiors constructed from high-quality materials that are beautiful to see and to touch, and that's what makes them feel special and genuinely premium. The 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn in our short-term fleet didn't get that message. What the Laramie Longhorn does is yell at you. It yells at you at that it's LUXURIOUS, and it's WESTERN. Open the door, and you're confronted with loads of saddle tan leather with contrasting black leather on the doors, armrest, and seat piping. This is reasonably modest, but if you pick a different color scheme than our Ram, that leather will have tooled filigree patterns, raising the volume of the interior's message. Right on the center console and on the seat backs there are huge brown embossed logos stitched into them proclaiming the trim level of the truck. It's all meant to evoke high-quality leather goods like saddles. But it's the same thin leather you've found in almost every other automobile on the market. The cushy cowboy theme continues on the dash. The satin-finish wood trim would normally be a nice touch, but it's overshadowed by the glitzy and chintzy rose-gold colored fake metal accents all over the dashboard, and even the instrument cluster. Perhaps it's meant to be more warm and down-to-earth than the cold aluminum-look panels usually in cars, but it's an odd color, and it looks more fake than faux-aluminum. It gets even worse when you discover that Ram stuck leather tooling design stickers all over that rose-gold plastic trim. And then you see them on the chrome plastic rings surrounding the gauges. Not only that, but those rings have some sort of stud shape molded into them. Is this Western enough yet? No! Of course not! Hop in the back seat, and you'll discover that the map pockets aren't just simple slots. They have a full flap with metal belt buckles like saddlebags (though the flap actually closes with magnets). And naturally, those buckles have fancy filigree designs in them. Then take a look at the floor, and the rubber floor mats have barbed-wire fence designs molded into them. Get it? Because there are barbed-wire fences on ranches out West where cowboys work! Yet, for all our complaining about cheap materials and a complete lack of subtlety, we're sure this sort of thing appeals to many truck buyers.

Ram recalling 1,747 diesel trucks for short-circuit risk

Diesel-powered Ram owners, it's recall time. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a voluntary recall of 1,747 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels from model years 2014 and 2015. Why so few? Well, this campaign is limited to just rear-wheel-drive models. The problem, this time around, is with a battery wiring harness that will chafe against a bracket if it wasn't assembled properly. This chaffing can lead to a short, causing a loss of power (the best-case scenario) or even a fire (probably the worst-case scenario). Fortunately, FCA is unaware of any accidents, fires, or other injuries caused by short circuits. The affected vehicles were sold in both the US and Canadian markets, although the vast majority of the trucks, 1,697 to be precise, are here in the land of the free and home of the brave. The remaining 50 vehicles were sold in Canada, and were likely purchased by those crazy enough to drive a high-torque, rear-drive pickup in a country almost perpetually covered in snow and ice. Regardless of whether your truck has an illuminated dashboard warning light or not, FCA is encouraging drivers of the affected vehicles to report to dealers for a free service when they receive a recall notice. Scroll down for the official press release from FCA, as well as the bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Statement: Wiring Harness September 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 1,747 trucks in the U.S. and Canada to inspect, reroute and replace – as required – their wire harnesses to prevent a potential short-circuit. An investigation by FCA US discovered a battery wiring harness may chafe against a bracket if assembly protocols were not followed. This condition is limited to vehicles equipped with diesel engines and 4x2 drivelines. Such a condition has the potential to cause a short-circuit, which may lead to power loss or fire. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or fires. The campaign is limited to certain 2014-15 Ram 1500 pickups. It is estimated there are 1,697 in the U.S. and 50 in Canada. Affected customers will be advised next month when they may schedule service, which will be performed at no cost. While the condition may not be present in every vehicle, FCA US urges customers to note the information on their recall notices and respond accordingly. Illumination of a dashboard warning light is among the indicators that the condition is present.