2019 Ram 1500

A new year, brings a new long-term model into our fleet, this 2019 Ram 1500.

“Up until recently ride and handling was probably pretty low on a truck buyer’s list of concerns. Now we’re in the age of luxury trucks and that’s all changed. The RAM 1500 still offers the best big pickup ride in the full-size half-ton pickup segment. And back to the whole luxury thing, this huge tablet-style screen looks a bit out of place, but it’s also pretty cool.”

Our long Term Ram 1500 is a Crew Cab 4X4, sporting a Patriot Blue paint job, in Limited trim. 

Level 1 equipment group adds 19-speaker’s worth of Harmon Kardon premium audio, surround view camera, and a host of advanced safety features.

Off-Road Group adds a locking rear axle, a bunch of skid plates, and of course decals. We’ll get to know this Ram 1500 even better over the next few months.

Plush pickup trucks are nothing new of course; you could even say that Dodge spearheaded the trend back in 1968 with their Adventurer. But this HEMI-powered, 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Limited is almost over the top; and we’re not just talking about the in-dash 12-inch Uconnect tablet. You really want to stare at it more than you should. It certainly feels like a luxury car behind the wheel of this high rider.

Not to worry, it does real work too, as we recently put it to use moving some heavy furniture. The bed is certainly tall and wide, but we could have used a little more than the standard 5’ 7” length for the longer stuff.

No matter how much you’re hauling, there’s no holding back the 395-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI. Reflecting that, fuel economy is 17.4 miles-per-gallon after 4,000-miles.

We’re 3-months into our time with this 2019 Ram 1500, our recent Drivers’ Choice pick for Best Pickup Truck. And we’ve already racked up over 6,000-miles; a large chunk of that from hauling gear down to our winter testing grounds in Georgia.

All of those highway miles didn’t help our fuel mileage as we expected. It’s actually down a bit to an even 16.0 miles-per-gallon, which is still acceptable, given this HEMI-powered hauler has spent the bulk of its time doing just that…hauling..in every sense of the word. 

And no matter whether we’ve been loading or unloading, we’re enjoying the fully dampened tailgate; super-easy to close, and it drops smoothly, without a big thud. 

After 4-months, the extended stay of our 2019 Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4X4 has come to an end. But it didn’t leave empty handed.   

“Fresh off a MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Pickup Truck, our RAM 1500 is back to business as usual. We’ve racked up quite a few highway miles and the long haul comfort is phenomenal. Granted, ours is very well equipped, but between the comfy seats, smooth ride and wealth of technology, it’s hard to think of a better road trip truck.”

Even with all of those road trips, we were only able to achieve a 15.9 miles-per-gallon average; but that’s the price you pay for HEMI V8 power. 

Without a doubt, the 2019 Ram 1500 is the perfect tool for comfortably tackling your to-do list, whether that involves running across town, or across the country.