If you need to get some serious work done, the RAM pickup is a heavy-duty truck that will be a valuable tool in the field. That field could be farming, oil, construction or a myriad of other jobs you could use it for. This week we’re test driving the 2014 RAM 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4X4 ($41,330). It came with the luxury package ($640), 6.4-liter V8 Hemi ($1,495) RamBox Cargo Management ($1,295) and ParkSense and ParkView ($450). Even though this is a work truck, it has more luxury than some luxury cars.
What’s New for 2014?
The biggest news is the arrival of the new 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine and the adoption of a new rear suspension coil-spring setup. We experienced both on a 300 mile ride to Glenwood Springs this week. It definitely provided an increased level of comfort at highway cruising speeds and it had plenty of power pulling two high mountain passes getting there. We didn’t do any real work with the RAM 2500, but this is a heavy-duty truck for buyers who will do lots of towing or hauling.
Inside, this tester came with a host of extra luxury items to make this a comfortable truck for working in the field. Features like the leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power driver seat, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, remote keyless entry and backup camera makes this a comfortable place to do some serious work.
Two must-have options on RAM 2500
The ParkSense and ParkView ($450) options are well worth the cost on this heavy-duty truck. With the four-door Crew Cab, this is a long vehicle that requires extra space to navigate in city spots. The backup camera is a must and the ParkSense option features an alert if you are getting too close while backing up. It saved me more than once this week as I did mostly city driving. The cabin is big and comfortable and the only complaint came from my wife who said she need a step stool to get into the tall cab of the 2500 4X4. It’s sets up fairly high and for a shorter person it can be a challenge getting in and out. The optional power adjustable pedals ($125) make it easy for shorter drivers the ability to get comfortable without having to have the seat too far forward.
Other notable options included the RamBox Cargo Management ($1,295) that features an outside storage compartment on the side of the bed. It can be easily accessed for things like tools and cargo that you need to be out of the weather and safely locked away. These items would otherwise be kept in the cab cluttering up the inside. RAM 2500 comes standard with handy second-row in- floor storage bins for other work or recreation items.
RAM 2500 on the road
The Ram 2500’s new 6.4-liter V8 HEMI engine performed well on the trip to Glenwood Springs. It’s rated at 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, and had plenty of power to get us over Vail Pass without breaking a sweat. It’s a new lower-cost alternative for buyers who don’t need the larger more powerful turbo diesel engine. But it provides amid-range option for those who need more hauling capability than the base 5.7-liter V8 offers.
We could feel the difference on the road trip with the 2500’s new coil-spring rear suspension that comes standard now on every 2014 Ram 2500. On the dirt road to our house, it’s still a heavy-duty truck and will throw you around, but on the highway, RAM 2500 provides a much more refined ride. It’s especially evident when you are unloaded and there’s no weight to smooth the ride out. Wind and tire noise are also kept to a minimum and the ride was comfortable over the long trip into the mountains.
Big Horn Package
This RAM 2500 tester came with the Big Horn package which includes extra like 18-inch forged and polished alloy wheels, limited-slip rear differential, chrome grille, fog lights, 115-volt power outlet, an ten-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with audio controls), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and Uconnect Access, a subscription-based smartphone app that provides WiFi, voice-to-text messaging and emergency assistance.
Conclusion:
The 2014 RAM 2500 is a heavy-duty truck that will get the job done in extra comfort. The new 6.4-liter V8 HEMI engine is a welcome addition for those needing extra grunt to pull and haul extra cargo for work or recreation but don’t want the added expense of getting the turbo diesel. The new coil-spring rear suspension makes driving long distances on the highway a much nicer experience than previous generations. RAM 2500 Big Horn offers a number of options that will make any operator’s work day more efficient and productive.
Our final score for the 2014 RAM 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4X4: 4.2 out of 5.
