in my experience, very few pickup owners tow anything...some of us do, and appreciate that ability, but many people now drive pickups whereas years ago, most of these same types of people drove cars

dodge is taking a risk with this, but it seems calculated, and their reasoning, or what i've read second-hand of it here, is logical...the 3/4 ton is still available for those who want to tow heavy, and it's really a better option for someone who tows heavy anyway, imo

as for the coil spring ride, if it's as soft as the avalanche rear suspension was in '06, it will beat the f-150 ride...my avalanche rode much softer than my f150 (and handled worse, with worse roll, and wouldn't haul nearly as much)

 

Not trying to defend the new Ram. Thats not my job. But when you read that it is capable of towing 9100lbs and is able to carry 1840lbs in the box I tend to think that this put it square in the 1/2 ton truck market.

 

If thats the case Dodge should have totally b!tched out and gone IRS so they could be a real truck like the Ridgeline.

 

Agreed. They are making a calculated risk I guess.

One thing I find intersting. I always viewed Dodges as the most utilitarian of the pick up trucks. Meaning they were the most basic out there with not many frills. I always figured people that bought them did so because they needed the basic pickup truck functionality -a bed to throw stuff in or towing capacity. They didn't usually buy them for the reasons lots f150 buyers do- comfort, class, style, etc (in addition to the usual truck capabilities.)

It seems like Dodge is trying to move away from the utilitarian buyers it used to appeal to and move towards less 'real need' pickup truck buyers.

The difference of course would be you can buy a Ford that is nice on the inside, comfortable, classy, etc AND it can still tow/haul with the best of them..

 

Uhh, ya that's pretty good capacity. Maybe the coil springs won't hurt them. Time will def. tell.

 

That should be more than sufficient for most 1/2 truck buyers needs. Keep in mind though the current 150 can haul 50% more in the bed (3050) and the towing is almost 2k (11,000) more than the Dodge. These are also numbers that will only be improved upon by the new 150 when it is released. I would not be surprised to see a 12500 towing capacity and 3k hauling capability on the new 150

 

Isn't marketing a wonderful thing... Fords max tow rating 11,000lbs is for Reg cab Heavy Duty models only. IF you get anthing else its less. For example lets compare the most popular configeration Crew cabs: Ford w/18/20" wheels is 8,800lbs. GM w/Vortec Max pkg is 10,500lbs, Toyota Crew I beleive is 10,300lbs, Nissan is @ 9,300(4wd) as I recall. SO as of right now, with a crew cab, Ford has the LOWEST tow rating available. Even with 17's wheels we only tie Nissan. (In fairness, note the vortec Max pkg only comes with 17" wheels)

So my ask is that we get to the 10,500 rating for a crew cab with 18/20's...

 

Wow.. back to what the bowtie was doing on their trucks back in the 60's.

 

still ugly to me

 

Even early 70's...

 

The exhaust through the bumper is a deal breaker for me. There is a good reason for it not being there, the exhaust gasses are blown directly on the front of a trailer. In my case it would be the bow of my boat.

 

Not to mention straight back exhaust looks terrible and redneck. Sorry guys, I know some of you have it and love it (Hey, good for you, keep rockin' it) but in MY opinion I think straight back exhaust looks terrible on ANY truck...especialy that Dodge.

I think that is a risky move too considering the increase chance of accidental burns from someone working around the tailgate after a long drive

 

With a side exhaust behind the tire there is the same risk of burn.

 

Never mind cost of getting rear ended just went up!

 

Most people spend alot more time unloading the truck from the back rather than the side. That to me would increase the risk of burns on a rear exit exhaust. To this day, ok I'm only 26, I have only burned myself once on exhaust and it was a rear exit on a truck