We'd had a chance to try out the newest Ram HDs at their pre-launch media event in Texas, but to be honest, driving the Power Wagon through the off-road course seemed a lot more fun than towing a 10,000-pound trailer. So, with a homeward flight looming in the afternoon and limited drive time, we picked the muddy off-road course to spend most of our time. Can you blame us? However, the new Ram's towing capability wasn't far from our thoughts, and when we had a monumental towing task in mind that involved our 'bagged and custom painted '09 Ram, we knew what the perfect tow vehicle would be. There was one slight hitch in our plan, the trailer we planned on towing was a fifth wheel. (Sorry for the pun). It just so happened that there was a Ram in the press fleet that was already equipped with a Mopar accessory fifth wheel, so with a few phone calls we were good to go.
The plan was for Editor Dan Ward, freelance editor Harley Camilleri, and myself, to tow our trailer to the Tex Mex show in Somerville, Texas, 1,500 miles from our office in Irvine, California, to display our '09 Ram project and set up shop to dispense magazines and sell swag. Loading up on Tuesday, it was apparent that our trailer was never intended to fit a vehicle as wide as a fullsize truck. With just an inch to spare on each side between the trailer's inner wheelwells, the Ram was a tight squeeze. Let's just say that Dan had an interesting time climbing out of the Ram and exiting the trailer once the Ram was securely strapped down.
We started before dawn on Wednesday, and after finding a truck stop with the right air chuck to get to the Ram's dual rear tire valves, we were on our way. Through California, the Ram and trailer were relegated to 55 mph and the slow lane. The 6.7L Cummins had no problem cranking the trailer up to speed, with tow/haul mode engaged the six-speed transmission held each gear a bit longer than normal to ensure that the engine would still be making serious horsepower even after downshifting. Don't get me wrong, it's not like we didn't notice the trailer was there, we weighed in at a CAT scale and we were pushing the trailer's 14,000-pound axle ratings, with just over 13,000 pounds on the trailer's axles, and over a ton on the tongue, so there was never any doubt that we were pulling a load. We did enjoy a relatively smooth ride despite some nasty highway paving, and we appreciated the factory exhaust brake on the downhill side of the numerous hills on Highway 10.
Once we crossed into Arizona, the 55-mph cap gave way to 65 and even 70 mph speed limits and the Ram seemed to like those speeds better, as the cruising rpm increased into the Cummins' powerband. Fuel economy did take a hit, as single-digit mpg numbers became the norm. We used the refueling stops to swap drivers and stretch our legs. New Mexico came and went in no time, and as we crossed into Texas we, or at least I, being a Highway 10 rookie, got a false sense of accomplishment. We were in Texas, but we were really only half way there. Curse you Texas and your hugeness! We crossed the vast expanse of western Texas during the night, taking turns napping on the back seat of the crew cab, and rolled into the show on Thursday morning. The trailer was left at the show, and we were off to our hotel for some much-needed rest. The Ram felt like an entirely different animal without an eight-ton anchor behind it, and for the next four days we used it as a shuttle between the show, photo locations, and our hotel.
On the open road, the satellite...
On the open road, the satellite radio was a blessing and a curse. We always had music on tap, but if I hear, "That's How Country Boys Roll" one more time...
Welcome to the Truckin' magazine...
Welcome to the Truckin' magazine mobile snack bar and lounge, brought to you by the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD, Famous Amos cookies (with pecans) and Lay's.