The 2012 Ram Truck Lineup

Since its spin-off from Dodge in 2009, Ram Trucks has been on quite a ride. From a marquee sponsorship of the 2011 Kentucky Derby to a starring role in an eponymous NBC Sports Network series, the brand is certainly standing on its own.

The 2012 lineup is as big as the brand is ambitious. The stable includes the 2012 Ram 1500 in Regular, Quad Cab and Crew Cab models with three box lengths; 2012 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty versions in regular, crew and Mega Cab; 2012 Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cabs, which can tow up to 30,000 pounds; and the all-new 2012 Ram Cargo Van, a minivan for commercial use with a flat load floor.

In addition to its standard models, the Ram group incorporates several special edition models, including 2012 Mossy Oak and 2012 Lone Star versions (both available on 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Rams) and the 2012 Ram Runner, an off-road race trail-ready 1500 Quad Cab. The 2012 Mega Cab Laramie Longhorn 2500 pulls out all the stops outfitted with a bevy of luxury and convenience features, while the 2012 Laramie Power Wagon 2500 is a serious off-road work horse. Plus, Detroit hockey fans can covet one of the new, exclusive 2012 Red Wings limited-edition Ram 1500 Express 4x4 Crew Cabs. And, Ram trucks can also be ordered as Special Services police trucks for law enforcement agencies.

Ranging in price from $21,475 for a base 4x2 regular cab 2012 Ram 1500 to the super-deluxe 2012 Mega Cab Laramie Longhorn 3500 version which arrives at $57,995, the 2012 Ram stable covers a very wide range indeed.

The 2012 Ram 1500

The 2012 Ram 1500 can be ordered in Regular Cab, Quad Cab and Crew Cab models, with three box lengths: 8-foot (regular cab), 6-foot-4-inches (regular cab and Quad Cab), and 5-foot-7-inches (Crew Cab). Eleven trim levels are available: Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn.

For 2WD Regular and Quad Cabs, the standard drivetrain is a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. Four-wheel-drive and all Crew Cab models get a 4.7-liter V-8 that delivers 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. And for those who go want potent power, there’s an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that makes 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque. This motor is standard on all Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Lone Star, Sport, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn versions of the 1500.

Models with the 3.7-liter motor come with a five-speed automatic transmission; bigger engines are mated to a six-speed automatic. A part-time 4WD transfer case is standard, and an on-demand transfer case is available as an option.

For 2012, the new additions to the Ram 1500 lineup are the new 2012 Tradesman Heavy Duty (HD) version, which can tow up to 11,500 pounds (the most in its segment), and the new 2012 Mossy Oak camouflage version. A redesigned steering wheel includes control buttons; several new exterior colors are available.

Thirsty truck buyers will be thrilled at the 140 12-ounce beverage capacity of the optional RamBox cargo management system. Integrated into both rear fender sides, RamBox has weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage.

The 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab also has “store in the floor” bins with removable liners that also hold beverages – up to ten 12-ounce drinks. It also comes with a bed divider and 2-foot bed extender for oversize loads, plus a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for adjustable tie-down capability.

In addition to clever storage, the 1500 lineup can be ordered with a host of comfort and convenience features, including a media center with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment (Quad Cab and Crew Cab); heated and ventilated front seats; available heated rear seats; one-touch up/down driver and passenger windows; automatic-on headlamps; and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

Four-wheel ABS disc brakes are standard on all models, as are front and rear side curtain airbags. Electronic Stability Control is available as are rear park assist and a rear back-up camera on higher end models. Standard wheels and tires are 17 inches, but tires up to 20-inchers are available on models like the Laramie Quad and Crew Cabs, and the Laramie Longhorn. Polished 22-inch wheels grace the Sport R/T special version.

The 2012 Ram 2500/3500

Representing some 30 percent of sales for the entire heavy duty truck market, the 2012 Ram 2500 and 2012 Ram 3500 are a powerful part of the Ram story. The lineup is available in Regular, Crew and Mega Cab formats, as well as eight trim levels: ST, SLT, Outdoorsman, Lone Star, Big Horn, Power Wagon, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn.

Under the hood, 2500 models come with a standard 5.7-liter V8 HEMI that delivers 383 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque; it is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel is standard on 3500 models and available on some 2500’s; this motor grinds out 350 horses and up to 800 lb.-ft. of torque with the automatic transmission (the manual rates at 650 lb.-ft. of torque).

Two 4x4 transfer cases are available: a manual unit standard on ST and Power Wagon models; and an electric shift-on-the-fly transfer case, standard on the remaining models.

Towing capability on the heavy duty Rams tops out at a boastful 30,000 lbs. in gross combined weight rating (GCWR) – in other words, towing is this truck’s sweet spot. Features include a standard exhaust brake on diesel-equipped models, which reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and boosts safety when towing heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) also boost stability and saefty.

The 2012 SLT, Outdoorsman, Power Wagon and Laramie and Laramie Longhorn models feature a standard integrated trailer brake control; also standard on heavy duty Rams is Electronic Range Select, which allows manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed. A tow/haul mode switch enhances tow capability and stability, while towing. Other tow-friendly features include trailer-tow mirrors with integrated turn signals, memory function and puddle lamps (standard on 3500 models). As an added convenience, a Class IV receiver is standard on all Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups.

The heavy duty lineup includes an award-winning Power Wagon, an off-road specialist with additional ground clearance; electric-locking front and rear differentials; electronic disconnecting sway bar; Bilstein shocks; 33-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires; underbody skid plate protection; a 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing; and a custom-built Warn 12,000-lb. winch that is accessible through the front bumper.

Although the Heavy Duty series is all about performance outside, the interior has also been revisited for this model year, with redesigned seats that are plusher and more supportive, as well as lots of thoughtful storage – like space for hanging files in the lower center console -- that can turn the 2500 and 3500 into mobile workspaces and on-the-job offices.

Comfort and convenience options abound, including heated and ventilated seats; a heated steering wheel; automatic temperature control; two-tone upholstery; memory seats, radio and mirrors; navigation; adjustable pedals and numerous infotainment options, like an optional first-in-segment 10-speaker surround-sound system.

On the outside, the 2500/3500 series stands out from its stablemates with a taller hood and bigger grille; wheels and tires are 17-inches on all models. ABS and traction control are standard.

The 2012 Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab

With up to 30,000 lb. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), the 2012 Ram 4500 and 2012 Ram 5500 medium-duty (Class 4 and 5) chassis cab trucks are able to haul up to 4,000 lbs. more than they did last model year – that’s almost two Fiat 500s’ worth of weight.

Ram claims that this series also has been rated 10 percent more fuel efficient than its competitor, and says these trucks deliver best-in-class brake performance, when evaluated by a variety of measures.

Two powertrains are available for this lineup: Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks get a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 making 383 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Optional on the 3500 and standard on the 4500 and 5500 is a 305 horsepower, 610 lb.-ft. 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine; models with the turbo diesel get a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic Aisin transmission is optional on all 3500 diesel and on 4500 and 5500 models. The “Max Tow” package, which boosts the GCWR to 30,000 lbs., is available on Ram Chassis Cab trucks equipped with the optional six-speed automatic transmission and 4.88 rear-axle ratio. A 4.44 axle is standard on 4500 models and not available with the Max Tow package. The 30,000-lb. GCWR gives the Ram Chassis Cab a 4,000-lb. increase in trailer-towing capabilities, up to a maximum of 22,300 lbs. on a Ram 4500 or 5500 Chassis Cab equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Available in regular and Crew Cab, as well as three trim levels (ST, SLT and Laramie), the Chassis Cab series is set up with a surprising number of creature comforts. Laramie versions get carpeted floors, dual-zone air conditioning, leather seats with power adjustments and an AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 stereo system. Base models come with vinyl seats and floors, manual door locks and windows and manually-adjusting exterior mirrors

The 2012 Ram Special Editions

 In addition to its extensive lineup of trim levels and powertrains, the 2012 Ram Trucks also can be ordered in several special edition versions:

• 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Lone Star 4x4 – this ready-for-the-trail upscale version comes with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 has coil-spring, multilink rear suspension. Designed specifically for the Texas market, the Lone Star has Mopar Katzkin leather seats with Lone Star embroidery.

• 2012 1500 Crew Cab Mossy Oak Edition 4x4 – This new-for-2012 model debuted at the Texas Truck Rodeo and features Mossy Oak signature badging and camouflage accents on the bedcaps and tailgate. Designed in partnership with the Mossy Oak camouflage brand, the truck is based on the Outdoorsman special edition, but adds a special graphics package inside and out.

• 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Ram Runner 4x4 – The Ram Runner kit is designed for serious high-speed Baja and desert off-roading. The Mopar-engineered package uses Fox 3-inch internal bypass shocks, 14 inches of wheel travel both front and rear, 5-link coil spring rear suspension for a 30-degree departure angle, ground clearance up to 16 inches, and wider wheel wells; the truck is also set on a wider track.

• 2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie Longhorn 4x4 -- The most luxurious truck ever produced by Ram, this special edition model comes with leather seats, a top-level 10-speaker audio system and a host of other luxury features.

• 2012 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Laramie  4x4 – The refreshed award-winning “Heavy Duty Pickup of Texas” made its debut at the Texas Truck Rodeo and offers leather seats, premium audio, dual-zone AC and wood grain dash and door panels, as well as serious off-road capabilities thanks to locking front and rear differentials, a 12,000 lb. Warn winch, and electronic disconnecting sway bar.

• 2012 Ram 2500 Outdoorsman 4x4 – All-terrain tires, a giant fuel tank and recliner-worthy seats make this the hunter/fisher/Grizzly-man vehicle of choice. This pickup is featured in a series on the NBC Sports Network (formerly the Versus network).