CAR WARRIORS: 2014 RAM 2500 HEMI HD CREW CAB 4x4 V-8.Liter 6-4

Sunday, May 25, 2014

2014 RAM 2500 HEMI HD CREW CAB 4x4 V-8.Liter 6-4

Heavy-duty trucks are really judged by one thing and one thing alone: can it get the job done, and can it do it again. And again. And again. RAM, the truck and commercial division of Dodge, sought to upgrade the 2500’s capabilities in the new model year and have done so by offering a slew of upgrades, both under the hood and in the suspension.

New for 2014 is a five-link coil rear suspension, and a rear air suspension option which doesn’t negatively impact towing or payload. The air suspension offers automatic load leveling, which improves stability and ride even when towing large loads. RAM also proudly touts their unsurpassed powertrain warranty and extended maintenance cycles which make it cheaper to keep the RAM 2500 on the road.

With the 6.4-liter Hemi engine nestled between its fenders, the Ram 2500 has an entirely different personality than does its diesel analogue. Step hard on the accelerator in the 2500 Hemi, and the run to 60 mph takes 7.9 seconds; stay in it, and the quarter-mile mark arrives in 16.1 at 88 mph. (Note: Our test truck substituted a 4.11:1 rear end for the stock 3.73:1, a $125 option.) Although that’s 0.6 second better in the 0-to-60 and quarter-mile measures than the 2012 Ram 2500 diesel we last tested, it doesn’t tell the entire story. When it comes to motivating 7039 pounds of Ram truck, the gasoline Hemi is all hands on deck, working overtime to rush through its six-speed automatic transmission. Its diesel-powered sibling, however, goes about its business with conviction, working hard but never feeling stressed or short of muscle.

Deciphering tow ratings for pickups can be a gray area—the trailering tables for Ram’s HD pickups are 23 pages long—but checking the box for the aforementioned 4.10:1 rear axle increased the tow rating of our Ram 2500 Big Horn crew-cab 4x4 test truck to 15,500 pounds from the 12,500-pound figure quoted for the standard 3.73:1 axle. Tow ratings for the standard 5.7-liter gas engine check in at 11,060 pounds for the 3.73:1 axle and 13,060 pounds for the 4.10:1. Despite having nearly double the amount of torque on tap, the Cummins diesel with six-speed automatic combo in the Ram 2500 Big Horn crew-cab 4x4 ups the max tow figure to only 17,120 pounds. In that light, the eight-grand less-expensive 6.4-liter Hemi begins to make more sense, particularly for buyers who don’t tow on a daily basis. (Curiously, selecting the popular RamBox bed storage bins lowers the tow figure by a seemingly inconsequential 140 pounds in the 6.4-liter gas trucks and 110 pounds in the diesel.) Fuel economy is an equally close race: We averaged 11 mpg in the Ram 2500 Hemi compared with 12 mpg in the 2012 Ram 2500 diesel. A 2013 Ram 3500 dualie we tested last year averaged 13 mpg.

Until now, virtually every truck rated at three-quarter tons and higher employed rear leaf springs, technology almost as old as the wheel itself. Reliable and dumb-nuts simple, poor ride quality is the leaf spring’s enduring sore spot. To get a handle on it without compromising payload capability, Ram has outfitted the 2500 with a new five-link coil-spring rear suspension for 2014. We’re sure it’s a fine arrangement on its own merits, but our tester was outfitted with the also-new-for-2014 auto-leveling rear air suspension ($1595) that replaces the springs with airbags. So equipped, the 2500 Big Horn crew cab challenged our preconceived notions regarding the unladen ride quality of a heavy-duty truck. There’s no mistaking the giant Ram 2500 for a car, but the engineers have certainly taken some rough edges off the truck’s ride, particularly in regard to impact harshness.

Ease of maneuvering the 7039-pound Ram and reducing driver fatigue are top priorities for the truck’s hydraulic power steering, so attributes such as feedback and on-center feel are absent. Nonetheless, the big 2500 displays surprisingly good transient responses in town and tracks true on the highway, with one caveat: when the winds kick up, the truck wanders like a college dropout with a trust fund, requiring constant correction to stay on the path. Pressed hard on our 300-foot skidpad, the Ram 2500 pulled 0.70 g of lateral grip while exhibiting heavy understeer. Hauling the truck down to a stop from 70 mph consumed 202 feet, with the driver reporting no fade in repeated stops. “Pedal feel” is a relative term in the HD truck world, and the Ram 2500’s brake pedal gets the job done, but without distinction.

Cowboy Deluxe ,The Big Horn trim level of our test truck sits above the Tradesman and SLT in Ram truck hierarchy. Our example included the 22Z package ($1835), with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, underhood illumination, Big Horn badging, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Luxury Group package ($640) added, among other niceties, a heated steering wheel and seats, auto-dimming mirrors, and Ram’s trick, configurable seven-inch multiview screen in the instrument cluster. Checking the box for Chrysler’s familiar Uconnect system ($1005) brought an 8.4-inch touch screen, satellite radio, navigation, and multiple connectivity options.

So equipped, the 2500 crew cab’s interior is the same comfy place we’ve come to know and love in recent Ram trucks. Controls are within easy reach, storage is ample (dual glove boxes!), and dual rearview cameras (cargo view, $325, and backup, $200) made it easy to forget we were in a nearly 20-foot-long vehicle. But it was ready to work, with the Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Towing Prep group ($400), 220-amp alternator ($100), side steps ($600), LT275/70-18 on-/off-road tires ($200), a spray-in bedliner ($475), and finally, the Protection group ($100), which adds tow hooks and a transfer-case skid plate. By the time the Ram 2500 Big Horn cleared the ticket window, it was commanding an as-tested $52,600.

We’re impressed with how civilized the HD-truck segment has become over the past decade or so, but there’s still no getting around the fact that this 6.4-liter Hemi-powered Ram is a 3.5-ton rolling workhorse. There is a price to pay at the pump, regardless of which fossil fuel you choose to burn, and the choice between gas and diesel seems to heavy metal or you are rocking rolling you have the bridge captain HD haul piles of stuff most often behind or in your truck.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Sunday, May 25, 2014

2014 RAM 2500 HEMI HD CREW CAB 4x4 V-8.Liter 6-4

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