As some of you may know, Cindy and I just bought a brand new 2025 RAM 2500 HD Tradesman and with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel. And, after taking it on a nice long trip out to our Tin Camp and to do some light exploring, I thought I would post up some first impressions or at least, for those of you who might be interested.
First and for sure and I know this is totally superficial, I really LOVE the way the new RAM 2500 HD's look and even though it's the lowest model you can get, I really love the way the Tradesman look with its aggressive blacked out grill design and basic bumpers. I've never been much of a color matched or chrome kind of guy and if anything, the black accents remind me of how we like to build our Jeeps.
Second, I am soooooo glad that we waited to get a 2025 as it now comes with the HO Turbo Diesel and 8-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission. While I know Cummins have a ton of torque and always do a great job towing, I've always felt like they were sluggish, especially when compared to something like a Duramax. For daily driving, a Duramax feel like they have a big gas engine under the hood and I love them for that. The new HO Diesel and 8-Speed, definitely feels like it has a lot more life in it, even with the bigger tires we have on our truck and so I have no regrets getting it.
Third, I really love the fact that this RAM comes with solid axles and is suspended with coils front and rear. This REALLY makes it feel more like a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator and not a big heavy truck the way something like a Duramax definitely feels off road. On easy trails, the ride is way more comfortable and handles more like what I'm familiar with and that gives me more incentive to get out and explore in it. This was one of the biggest reasons for us to make the upgrade.
I do need to note that this truck did come with a dealer installed Bilstein leveling kit and with bigger 295/70R18 Toyo Open Country AT III tires (essentially 34" tires as opposed to 31" tires from the factory) mounted on black Method wheels which are nice additions but it wouldn't have been a deal breaker to not have them.
Fourth, how can you not love having a BIG ASS 31 gallon fuel tank! Although our fuel economy is about what we were getting with our Duramax, about 14.5 MPG on the highway doing 80 MPH average, it only had a 26 gallon tank and so now our range has been extended. We can now drive from Carson City to Ely on a single tank and with plenty of miles left to go.
Fifth, I really like the modern look and feel of the interior and LOVE the upgraded big ass NAV/Infotainment System we got with our truck. It's especially cool how you can access apps on your phone like GPS and see it on such a HUGE screen. Granted, this is the kind of crap that I know won't last forever and will most likely be a headache for me sooner than later but, while everything is still working, it is kinda nice to have.
Sixth and I know it's silly but I really like the courtesy lights that come on beneath the mirrors and tailgate after you unlock the doors in the dark or after you leave the truck. This really helps to make getting in and out a lot easier.
With all that said, there are definitely a few things that I don't like about this new RAM truck. First and foremost is that it requires the use of DEF but of course, there's just no getting around that on any new diesel or at least, not unless you delete it but a close second would be the body on this thing. And really, this is something I don't like with ALL new modern cars and trucks. The doors feel super light and close with an annoying tin can kind of sound, the tailgate is super light and feels delicate to the point I'm afraid of damaging it and the fenders feel thin enough that I'm afraid they might dent just by bumping into it. I also really hate that the hood flutters in heavy wind or when passing a big truck on a 2-lane highway. I mean, by comparison, everything on my old 2006 GMC Duramax feels super heavy duty and solid. The doors feel heavy and slam shut with a solid thud. The tailgate weighs a ton and can totally take a beating and the hood sits firmly in place regardless of wind or big trucks passing by. But of course, it's a truck that's about 20 years old and when things were still made a bit tougher.
And third, while I really like how much this RAM feels like a big Jeep, it's also what I don't like about it. Unlike my old Duramax that feels spacious inside and with seats that are like Lazyboys, the seats in the RAM look and feel just like Wrangler seats. While not a horrible thing, you'd think they could offer something a bit bigger and more comfortable especially with all the room there is inside of it.
Anyway, those are some of my first impressions about our new RAM 2500 HD. I'm sure I've miss a few things here and there and will be sure to add to this post as I think of them but if you're in the market for a new truck and would like to know something specific about this truck, please let me know and I'll try to answer what I can
First and for sure and I know this is totally superficial, I really LOVE the way the new RAM 2500 HD's look and even though it's the lowest model you can get, I really love the way the Tradesman look with its aggressive blacked out grill design and basic bumpers. I've never been much of a color matched or chrome kind of guy and if anything, the black accents remind me of how we like to build our Jeeps.
Second, I am soooooo glad that we waited to get a 2025 as it now comes with the HO Turbo Diesel and 8-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission. While I know Cummins have a ton of torque and always do a great job towing, I've always felt like they were sluggish, especially when compared to something like a Duramax. For daily driving, a Duramax feel like they have a big gas engine under the hood and I love them for that. The new HO Diesel and 8-Speed, definitely feels like it has a lot more life in it, even with the bigger tires we have on our truck and so I have no regrets getting it.
Third, I really love the fact that this RAM comes with solid axles and is suspended with coils front and rear. This REALLY makes it feel more like a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator and not a big heavy truck the way something like a Duramax definitely feels off road. On easy trails, the ride is way more comfortable and handles more like what I'm familiar with and that gives me more incentive to get out and explore in it. This was one of the biggest reasons for us to make the upgrade.
I do need to note that this truck did come with a dealer installed Bilstein leveling kit and with bigger 295/70R18 Toyo Open Country AT III tires (essentially 34" tires as opposed to 31" tires from the factory) mounted on black Method wheels which are nice additions but it wouldn't have been a deal breaker to not have them.
Fourth, how can you not love having a BIG ASS 31 gallon fuel tank! Although our fuel economy is about what we were getting with our Duramax, about 14.5 MPG on the highway doing 80 MPH average, it only had a 26 gallon tank and so now our range has been extended. We can now drive from Carson City to Ely on a single tank and with plenty of miles left to go.
Fifth, I really like the modern look and feel of the interior and LOVE the upgraded big ass NAV/Infotainment System we got with our truck. It's especially cool how you can access apps on your phone like GPS and see it on such a HUGE screen. Granted, this is the kind of crap that I know won't last forever and will most likely be a headache for me sooner than later but, while everything is still working, it is kinda nice to have.
Sixth and I know it's silly but I really like the courtesy lights that come on beneath the mirrors and tailgate after you unlock the doors in the dark or after you leave the truck. This really helps to make getting in and out a lot easier.
With all that said, there are definitely a few things that I don't like about this new RAM truck. First and foremost is that it requires the use of DEF but of course, there's just no getting around that on any new diesel or at least, not unless you delete it but a close second would be the body on this thing. And really, this is something I don't like with ALL new modern cars and trucks. The doors feel super light and close with an annoying tin can kind of sound, the tailgate is super light and feels delicate to the point I'm afraid of damaging it and the fenders feel thin enough that I'm afraid they might dent just by bumping into it. I also really hate that the hood flutters in heavy wind or when passing a big truck on a 2-lane highway. I mean, by comparison, everything on my old 2006 GMC Duramax feels super heavy duty and solid. The doors feel heavy and slam shut with a solid thud. The tailgate weighs a ton and can totally take a beating and the hood sits firmly in place regardless of wind or big trucks passing by. But of course, it's a truck that's about 20 years old and when things were still made a bit tougher.
And third, while I really like how much this RAM feels like a big Jeep, it's also what I don't like about it. Unlike my old Duramax that feels spacious inside and with seats that are like Lazyboys, the seats in the RAM look and feel just like Wrangler seats. While not a horrible thing, you'd think they could offer something a bit bigger and more comfortable especially with all the room there is inside of it.
Anyway, those are some of my first impressions about our new RAM 2500 HD. I'm sure I've miss a few things here and there and will be sure to add to this post as I think of them but if you're in the market for a new truck and would like to know something specific about this truck, please let me know and I'll try to answer what I can
