Ram 1500 Slt Mega Cab 4x4It's been a year, and it's finally time to turn in the keys to one of our long-term testers. This is the final write-up for our Dodge Ram Mega Cab, and we've driven the heck out of it. It's towed project vehicles, hauled supplies for our shows, been packed full of editors, delivered a fullsize kitchen table (inside the cab with the seats folded flat), hauled more couches than one house could ever need, and it's been to Vegas-twice. Just check out how many miles we've logged in this Mega Cab and you can see that we've put it through its paces. If 38,000 miles doesn't sound like a lot of miles for a one-year-old vehicle, then we don't envy your commute. In our time with the Mega Cab, we developed a love-hate relationship with the beast.
What We LikedMega Room: Any time more than four of us headed out to lunch we always took the Mega Cab. The rear seat room just can't be beat. Every time we introduced someone to the Mega Cab, we would tell them to sit in the back seat. They would look baffled by our request until they sat down in the rear seats. After that, a look of understanding would cross their face as they were swallowed by the Mega Cab's massive interior. And when we told them to recline their seat and cue up a DVD in the entertainment center...Joy.
Tows Like a Trooper: When I used it to tow a project vehicle, the Mega Cab came through in spades. The 5.7L is no hot rod-a Cummins is a much better fit for such a big truck-but it didn't stumble, and it flattened grades with its torque, just like it did when Bob Ryder towed his Suburban to Arizona. It's long wheelbase and heavy-duty leaf springs did a great job and the brakes felt confident, especially considering the trailer didn't have any. The ride was also the best it ever was when it had a few thousand pounds on the hitch.
Good Road-Tripper: The truck's carrying capacity and oil-tanker-like ride on well-maintained, long and straight freeways makes it a good interstate road warrior. Just slip a CD into the head unit, activate the cruise control, and pray that the semitrucks haven't eroded I-40 into a washboard.