2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Review

Some of the Americans might not wish to admit about this but a lot of items that are made in this country aren’t subtle by any means. Full sized pick up truck is as American as an apple pie and there isn’t any denying that such dinosaurs are kinda ‘in your face’. They are produced and marketed in such a way that the size isn’t hidden but flaunted. Big tires, big beds, and the bigger engines are required for staying competitive and with out these items checked from the list, the bragging rights can be kissed goodbye by any truck. 2011 Ram 1500 4×4 Outdoorsman is all American and there is nothing that will make the truck hang its head in shame.

You won’t find a vehicle of this magnitude anywhere in US. 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman is assembled at Warren, Michigan, and this Ram has a really interesting piece of history behind it. This automobile is branded as Dodge for more than twenty years and current gen model has changed this by dropping Dodge name. Under ‘Ram Trucks’ brand name, all the Chrysler LLC full sized pick ups are just called Ram. Along with new name there comes new face, innovative features of cargo, updated engines, and revised suspension that is all specific to fourth gen Ram. The most important change here is suspension which uses rear coil sprung set up instead of leaf springs for 1500. The handling is improved as compared to previous generation and safety too is made better.

I was glad to see that the payload capacity isn’t hindered by all these changes as compared to older Rams.

The test truck that I got is American to the core. It features Outdoorsman package which is new for the 2011 package and base for my tester is Ram 1500 Crew Cab SLT 4×4. The MSRP starts at $35,010 and it includes items like Sirius Satellite radio with Alpine sound system, keyless remote entry and part-time 4WD along with electric transfer case switching. Outdoorsman package costs about $2,595 this makes my test model special. It has features that will keep any woods man happy, and Outdoorsman has bigger fuel tank 35 gallons, 115 volt aux outlet, tow hooks, all terrain tires, slip rear limited differential along with skid plates, 3.92 lower axle ratio, and a special version of Ram Box patented cargo system. Integrated inside bed itself, you get  storage lockable boxes and in side driver’s side of Ram Box on Outdoorsman is gun rack.  Yeah, you read that right, gun rack. Chrysler is marketing this as a highlighted feature on this model. The Ram Box is not really cheap at $1,895 and with addition of $1,310 the 5.7 liter Hemi V8, $1,200 navigation/media system and back-up camera of $495, my test model had a final price tag of $44,585.

2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman stands out amongst the other Rams in terms of looks. Rear bumper is a bit higher than standard models and exhaust is single simple exit. This feature is pretty good considering the exhaust rear exit tips might usually get damaged or ‘hung up’ in off road conditions. Front bumper is standard grey and it works pretty well with rest of Hunter Green body & big tow hooks have themselves known well. Slanted grill is a bit muscular and also a bit retro and brutish. Everything blends pretty well with all terrain, beefy tires and over all, Outdoorsman is looking like it’ll be at home inside remake of Mad Max. I was a bit disappointed to see the inexpensive sticker of Outdoorsman on side because it feels and looks like an after thought.

Putting aside the macho looks of the Ram, the most intoxicating feature of this truck is located under the hood. The pushrod 5.7 liter Hemi V8 (named after the chambers of hemispherical combustion) gives torque of 407 lb-ft which is enough to pull a boat. What is more impressive the rating of torque is the hp figure; at 390 it is worthy of muscle cars. Power-band of this engine contains is nearly perfect: heavy torque will get the things going while hp takes over and it keeps velocity from getting stalled. Ram goes ahead with great force and it would give any of the sporting cars a good run for their money in straight line.  Beach Boys would be proud with so much muscle and sound track. It is the best engines that Chrysler LLC has made for long time.

Hemi might be a dream of Mopar fans, but it is said that the transmission of Ram’s is not always up to mark in terms of handling. Automatic in my test model truck is the Chrysler’s five speed RFE which I have seen around since the year 1999.  The shifts are smooth but this isn’t most responsive transmission. The gear changes, particularly the down shifts, take some time to happen and the driver is left waiting for a long time as compared to what you’d expect from an automobile having so much of muscle. Even with the manual mode the up shifts just take too much time to happen and transmission actually gives an impression that it is confused. This along with sloppy shifter will make you wish for updated 6 speed auto for find its way behind wonderful Hemi soon.

It is easy to drive the Ram in spite of the heavy size. The steering is quite light and this makes 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman very maneuverable. Parking lots aren’t a hassle and over sized mirrors are pretty helpful; you won’t need any back up camera. Ergonomics are laid out nicely and touch screen display media center too is user friendly. The rear and front has a lot of space and there aren’t any chances of getting discomfort. Outdoorsman trimmed interior is simple and this is good change. I was happy to see that there isn’t any pretty wood grain for getting scratched up or for worrying about. Ram is not pretending to do some thing that it can’t. The truck is built very well. The bed is inhibited by Ram Boxes and can swallowed a mattress easily for niece of the driver along with integrated rails of cargo with the hooks. These are all welcome additions.

2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman is a good truck and it should be proud of itself. There are flaws and in spite of the MDS (Multi-Displacement System) which deactivates cylinder group for boosting economy, my test model could muster up average of 14 mpg. This rating can be side effect getting full size truck there are no other rivals which can claim to have anything that is remarkably better. Keeping all this in mind, Ram has achieved to be the truck that it wanted to be in the first place. The muscle for pulling is available and so is cargo space for hauling. It has capability for traversing almost any kind of terrain. Outdoorsman gives off a special charm which you’d find only on all-American pick ups. This might not be a very refined automobile out there but it is certainly easy to live with isn’t overly complex either.  In these times, you need some time to learn how to start the new vehicles; this truck is very simple but contains effective engineering inside to make it appealing. 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman will easily get the things done for you.