Luxury Comforter Sets

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Test Drive – See What this Full-Size Pickup is Made of

All work and no play make for a dull boy, but not a dull Dodge—at least not the all-new Ram 1500 pickup truck. But since work isn’t everything, we decided to put this new big and brash full-size pickup to another true test—a weekend of driving, hauling and play.

We put the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie model, the top trim level, to the test by packing up and heading for a weekend of camping and vintage motocross racing in California. With its crew-cab body configuration, Hemi engine and soft leather interior, the Ram was ready.

Room for Gear

You’d think that a weekend of motocross would require almost nothing in the way of gear. Not true. Between a helmet, giant boots and body armor, a race bike and pit bike, tent, chairs and camping gear, tools and supplies, a gas can and cooler and loading ramp, plus a passenger and cold-weather clothes, virtually any pickup will fill up fast. Thankfully the Ram provided an array of convenient storage solutions inside the cab. Twin glove boxes, generous door pockets, a broad center console and covered storage bins under the flip-up rear seat augmented the cab’s large interior dimensions. We filled up the rear seating area and then some, but left the front of the expansive cab open for the 160-mile drive from the So Cal coast to Tulare, in the state’s central valley.

What remained impossible to store in the cab, namely the folding chairs, gas can, the loading ramp, etc., were secured in the pickup bed. Secured as in with straps—because as generous as the crew cab is in storage volume, the 5.6-ft. pickup bed remains too short for motorcycles. So with the tailgate down, which incidentally confuses the ParkSense backup warning system, we hit the road early on a Saturday and pointed onto the Interstate 5 freeway.

Power and Performance

The Dodge powertrain guys got the Hemi powertrain right. Rated at 390 hp at 5600 rpm and 407 lb-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm, the V8 sings down the open road at just 1800 rpm at 70 mph. Smooth and responsive, it made short work of the infamous Grapevine, a long uphill grade known for its blistering summer heat and slippery winter snows. The sound levels are just as we like them: a whisper-quiet cab at all but the highest cruising speeds, plus a muted rumble out back.

And speaking of the language of power, the Ram has giant 20-inch chrome wheels and massive 275/60R20 tires. Hip-high to an elephant, these rubber-covered steamrollers provide a giant footprint while easing the Dodge’s ride over road imperfections. En route, we saw 13.4 mpg on the onboard rolling fuel-economy readout, and later separately calculated 13.7 mpg for our trip. That’s tolerable at $1.60 a gallon but downright agonizing at $4.50. Time will tell where gas prices actually stabilize.

Likes and Dislikes

Some overall likes: The effortless power and highway capability, and the comfortable and roomy cab that heralds a new breed of quality materials for Dodge. While the previous-generation Ram used cheesy plastic components even in the high-end models, the 2009 Ram is significantly better in every detail, an A+ improvement that makes the vehicle genuinely inspirational. So do many user-friendly features such as both 7-pin and flat-4 receptacles for trailer wiring, the rear under-seat storage, a DVD player with 9-inch screen, an outstanding Alpine audio system including XM Radio and MP3 capability, and a super-handy 115-volt AC outlet.

Not too many dislikes except for the truck’s aforementioned thirst, an egregious $45,300 MSRP, its lofty bed height and the lack of a standard bed liner, which renders the paint scratched and unsightly after only minimal use. We also don’t need the macho front-end styling and a dozen ram’s head logos to confirm our manliness, but to each his own.

By the way, it rained Saturday night and, while the big Dodge sat majestically nearby, taunting us with its cushy leather Laramie interior, we suffered in a cold, flapping tent outside. And so after a troublesome race day on the track, the best part of the weekend truly was climbing back into the Ram for the trip home, which proves that sometimes the journey really is the destination.

About the Author

autoMedia.com, with their team of accomplished automotive experts, has been providing auto shoppers, car enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers automotive advice they can trust for over 10 years. Enjoy reading more of their popular reviews and road tests, and learn more about the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, including the latest pricing, rebates and incentives along with details on all Dodge Models.

BD Super B Twin Turbo Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel 03-07 $4,650.24

BD Super B Twin Turbo Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel 94-98 $3,890.24

BD Super B Twin Turbo Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel 98-02 $3,890.24

BANKS BIG HOSS BUNDLE 08-10 F250 6.4L POWERSTROKE DUALS $3,332.10

2006 dodge ram 2500 mega cab DIESEL cummins 5.9 TWIN TURBOS TURBO KIT $2,999.95

ATS Twin CP3 Kit 2007.5 and up Dodge Ram 6.7L Cummins $2,625.00

BANKS POWERPACK SYSTEM 93-98 CUMMINS 5.9L A-MH CPL#1261 $2,558.00

BANKS POWERPACK 93-98 CUMMINS 5.9L A-MH CPL#0987 RR INT $2,558.00

BANKS POWERPACK 93-98 CUMMINS 5.9 A-MH SIDE INTERCOOLER $2,558.00

Spec Super Twin Clutch Kit P-Trim Dodge Ram 88-00 5.9L $1,619.10

Spec Super Twin Clutch Kit P-Trim Dodge Ram 05-07 5.9L $1,619.10

Spec Super Twin Clutch Kit P-Trim Dodge Ram 00-05 5.9L $1,619.10

93-97 Camaro Firebird LT1 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,498.00

2009-11 CADILLAC CTS-V SC McLEOD RXT TWIN DISC CLUTCH $1,450.00

2009-11 LSX 454 CRATE MOTOR McLEOD RXT TWIN DISC CLUTCH $1,450.00

RAM Clutch Kit Twin-Plate Organic 1″- 23-Spline 10.5″ Disc Billet Alum Flywheel $1,312.90

98-02 Camaro Firebird LS1 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,259.95

97-04 Corvette C5 LS1/LS6 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,259.95

04-06 GTO LS1/LS2 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,259.95

2010-2011 Camaro LS3 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,259.95

05-11 Corvette C6 LS2/LS3 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $1,259.95

Duff-Norton Ram-Pac HUP-120 Hydraulic Pump OTC 17.5 Ton Power Twin Ram $999.99

RAM Force 9.5 Twin-Plate Clutch Kit 75-2250 $962.90

RAM Force 9.5 Twin-Plate Clutch Kit 75-2125 $962.90

RAM Force 9.5 Twin-Plate Clutch Kit 75-2240 $962.90

RAM Force 9.5 Twin-Plate Clutch Kit 75-2220 $962.90

RAM Force 9.5 Twin-Plate Clutch Kit 75-2330 $962.90

82-92 Camaro Firebird 305/350 V8 Ram Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel $949.95

79-95 MUSTANG 5.0 T5 5-SPD McLEOD RXT TWIN DISC CLUTCH $899.00

65-10 FORD 1-1/16 x10 INPUT McLEOD RXT TWIN DISC CLUTCH $899.00

79-95 MUSTANG 5.0 McLEOD RXT TWIN DISC CLUTCH 1000-HP $899.00

50 TON OTC POWER TWIN THROUGH HOLE HYDRAULIC PUSH/ PULL RAM $750.00

Banks Twin-Ram Intake Manifold for 1994-1998 Dodge Ram 5.9L Cummins EGR 42711 $775.40

BANKS TWIN-RAM INTAKE MANIFOLD 94-98 DODGE CUMMINS EGR $775.40

BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 3.7L V6 Air Intake 02-10 $760.00

RED TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 3.7L V6 Air Intake 02-10 $760.00

RED TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L V6 Air Intake 08-10 $760.00

BLACK/RED DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 4.7 Twin Air Intake 02-07 $760.00

BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 Twin Air Intake 02-07 $760.00

BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L V6 Air Intake 08-10 $760.00

BLACK/BLUE DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 Twin Air Intake 02-07 $760.00

DUAL 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L V6 Twin Air Intake $760.00

BLACK/BLUE DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 Twin Air Intake 2002-2007 $760.00

BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7L Twin Air Intake 2002-2007 $760.00

BLACK/RED DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 Twin Air Intake 2002-2007 $760.00

BLACK/BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 V6 Air Intake 08-10 $760.00

BLUE TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L V6 Air Intake 08-10 $760.00

BLACK/RED TWIN DUAL Dodge Ram 4.7 V6 Air Intake 08-10 $760.00

DUAL DODGE RAM HEMI 1500 5.7L TWIN AIR INTAKE 2003-2008 $760.00

RED DUAL 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7 Twin Air Intake $760.00