Comparing Ford vs. Ram vs. GM: 2012 Dodge Ram 2500

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Diesel World

This three-part segment is going for the big comparison: Ford vs. Ram vs. GM! You’ve already seen our comprehensive look at the 2012 Ford Super Duty, now check out our thoughts on the 2012 Ram 2500.
The Big 3 Comparo!


2012 RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn - A Work Truck With Style?
The first modern commercially viable light truck with a diesel in North America was the Dodge D-Series with the Cummins 6BT option. Introduced in 1989, this truck proved that the market was ready for a diesel engine, but the D-series was far from sophisticated as truck go. Dodge is well into the fourth generation of the Ram truck and a Cummins I-6 diesel is still a popular option. Power has been vastly increased since the early days of the old 12-valve engines, but many of these old originals are still on the road today.
If you’re in the market for a diesel truck, consider the new Ram, still powered by Cummins. The pinnacle of the Ram line is the Laramie Longhorn package, and we can tell you it’s plush and powerful. The new 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel provides 350 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque when mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. (The six-speed manual transmission requires de-rating to 610 lb-ft). This next gen diesel features integrated exhaust brake, increased block stiffness, variable geometry turbocharger, higher fuel injection pressure and more. The Cummins engine is the most powerful it’s ever been and just keeps getting better.

In the transmission department, the six-speed automatic features a tow/haul mode that improves performance when towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load in the bed. When selected, an alternate shift program reduces shift changes and gear hunting. A simple selector switch to access tow/haul mode is conveniently located on the center stack of the instrument panel. To further tune your truck to your towing needs, the Ram is available with axle ratios up to 4.56:1 on some models.
The Ram is all about towing and an integrated trailer brake controller is standard. This controller works the same as any aftermarket electric brake controller, but is blended into the Ram at the factory for an OE fit and finish. Another aid to towing is the integrated diesel exhaust brake that’s standard on all models. The exhaust brake supplements the standard brakes to reduce brake fade and provide stopping safety and confidence, when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Also standard is a dual trailer harness plug; four- and seven-pin are both provided. Trailer towing mirrors and a “ParkView” backup camera are also available on Ram and came standard on the Laramie Longhorn package we tested.
The new 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel provides 350 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque when mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. (The six-speed manual transmission requires de-rating to 610 lb-ft).

A feature that is exclusive to the Ram is the availability of the RamBox bed. Our test truck came with this unique bed and we found it interesting and convenient. Ram box beds have integrated storage along both sides and over the fender wells. This lockable storage offers tow convenience and easy to access locations to store whatever your heart desires. They’re long enough for fishing poles and long guns, and deep enough for a fuel can. The RamBox is available in a short box bed version only.
On the inside, the Ram Laramie Longhorn MegaCab truck can only be described as plush and roomy. The MegaCab is big inside. The front seats can recline to almost a horizontal position.

On the inside, the Ram Laramie Longhorn MegaCab truck can only be described as plush and roomy. The MegaCab is big inside, so much so that front seats can be all the way back and the rear seat passengers will have as much leg room as a standard four-door cab with the front seats forward. Also, the front seats can recline to almost a horizontal position should a long on-site job require a combat nap. The leather-trimmed seats are comfortable and feature heating and cooling. As tested, the ParkView rear backup camera was standard, as was the Garmin Navigation system with Sirius XM radio and CD/CDV player. The rear seats are theater like, with controls for the overhead DVD and Ram headphone within easy reach. When the seats are folded down, the MegaCab has the most inside storage space of any truck in its class. As has become the industry standard, the rear offers a 60/40 split and can be folded to improve your interior carry capacity, without giving up all of the rear seating space.
An exclusive feature of the Ram brand is the RamBox bed. This bed offers owners two lockable storage boxes, one on each side of the bed.

The 2012 Ram Laramie Longhorn is plush on the inside and a drive down the freeway is comfortable and relaxing. We found the truck to be responsive both around town and on the open road. The I6 Cummins engine is responsive and seems to have a little more throttle response that some of the V8 diesels we tested. In our humble opinion, this is a truck you can live in, not just live with.
One final note; if you’re not a fan of diesel exhaust fluid or DEF systems, the 2012 Ram is the last of the non-DEF trucks. Ford and GM have already converted to DEF and next year even Ram will have to. New federal fuels will mandate DEF in every diesel truck on the road.

Stay tuned for our thoughts on the 2012 GMC Denali 2500HD!

By Trent Riddle
Photography: Trent Riddle & the Manufacturer