Ram 2500 2022: 8.0-tonne towing mega-ute with 1,152Nm on tap arrives in Australia

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The 2022 Ram 2500 is finally available to purchase in Australia and acts as a larger and even more capable version of the Ram 1500 already on sale.

The full-size ute has undergone the same right-hand drive conversion process at Walkinshaw in Victoria as its smaller sibling, in a process that has been signed off by Ram themselves

Set to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year is the Ram 3500 which adds even more heft and capability for the specific clientele that demand it.

The Ram’s main, and possibly only, rival is the incoming Chevrolet Silverado 2500 though those who don’t need to pull more than 3.5-tonnes can also consider the new Toyota LandCruiser.

Available only in Laramie Crew Cab guise, the Ram 2500 isn’t cheap with prices starting from $157,950 before on-road costs but it does offer a step up in capability and tech over the previous generation. 

The Ram 2500’s drivetrain and cability

Under the bonnet is the faithful 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel six-cylinder engine developing 276kW of power and 1,152Nm of torque. Ram pairs this engine to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission which has been redesigned with improved shift feel.

Power feeds out through the BorgWarner transfer case with improvements made to both the front and rear axles aiming to improve durability and towing capability while easing some of the noise, vibration and harshness.

Nothing this side of a semi-trailer can beat the 8.0-tonne towing capacity of the Ram 2500, when used with a goose-neck style hitch for pulling big stuff such as horse trailers.

Towing specific features such as the fold-out mirrors and a backup camera with specific trailer assistance features will also be a welcome addition.

Some 20 parking sensors line the exterior and paired which, paired with the 360-degree camera, should make this ‘ute’ measuring over 6m in length and 2.6m in width a little easier to drive around town – but we’d still say away from multi-storey carparks.

Ram has re-engineered the 2500 since its last generation and as a result, it’s 64kg lighter thanks to a new aluminium bonnet and the use of lightweight materials in the frame.

It’s still a very heavy vehicle with a kerb weight of up to 3,742 kg and its ability to carry 835kg or 754kg when you select the RamBox option, is down on some popular dual cabs.

Speaking of which, the 2500 with the RamBox fitted commands a bit extra at $162,900 but for the money you get a lockable, waterproof and drainable storage pods on either side of the tray.

With all that heft on board Ram has thankfully upgraded the brake callipers and master cylinder to stop in quicker than before. The 2500 also has a diesel exhaust brake for long downhill slopes.

Ram has fitted activity adjusting suspension at all four corners with a five-link, coil spring setup at the front and a two-stage leaf spring setup at the rear to ensure that it handles properly when towing and unladen. 

Everything inside Ram 2500:

The six-seather Ram 2500 is dressed in a leather-appointed interior with a 40/20/40 split for the front seats and a 60/40 split in the rear, with wood inlay around the cabin adding to the luxury touches.

In the centre of the dash sits a portrait 12-inch touchscreen which can be used for a single task or be split in half to use two applications at one time.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are preinstalled giving driver’s the ability to play their music through the 10-speaker Alpine sound system.

Sitting in the gauge cluster is a 7-inch digital display to display a number of graphics related to vehicle information while two analogue dials on either side.

The Ram 2500 is fitted with active noise cancellation that the manufacture claims brings down persistent noise by 10dB, which will be a welcome addition for highway driving on rough roads.

Is the Ram 2500 safe?

While vehicles such as these are rarely given an ANCAP rating the full-size ute segment has come a long way.

The crash structure of the Ram 2500 has been revised for better protect occupants during a crash in addition to a slew of preventative safety systems.

These include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and trailer sway control to name a few.

Ram 2500 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Laramie Crew Cab: $157,950
• Laramie Crew Cab with RamBox: $162,900