The updated 2017 Ram 2500 and 2017 Ram 3500 have
arrived in Australia, and the smaller model has got some clever new tricks to
its tray.
The revised Ram 2500 on sale now debuts the brand’s
RamBox tray-side storage system, a vertical area that allows owners to keep
items out of sight, safe, dry and secure in the edges of the tub. The space
measures 152 centimetres long, providing 243 litres of cargo capacity on either
side of the tray. Owners can lock the RamBoxes either by using the key-fob and
central locking system, or by manually locked them.
While you may choose to use them for storing tools
and the like, they also have drainage holes for those football tailgating
parties that don’t happen in Australia. Still, with space for up to 140 cans
either side, it’d make for a pretty handy camping option. Ram claims that the
boxes are spacious enough for items like golf clubs, fishing rods and
chainsaws, to name a few.
Also as part of the RamBox option is an adjustable
tray area divider, to allow owners to separate things that shouldn’t be mixing
in the cargo zone. There’s also a rail system with adjustable cleats for extra
tie-down versatility, and payload for the tray remains at 913 kg, with a gross
vehicle mass (GVM) of 4490 kilograms.
Ram’s Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, reckons
that “a significant proportion of customers” will tick the RamBox box. It is an
optional extra, though, and one that doesn’t come at a small price. The 2017
Ram 2500 Laramie without RamBoxes is listed at AUD 139,500 plus on-road costs,
while the identically-specced Laramie version with RamBoxes is AUD 142,900 plus
ORCs. So the storage boxes cost you AUD 3400.
It’s not just the 2500 that has seen some changes –
the larger 3500 model now has a second derivative that can be driven on a
regular driver’s licence, rather than a light-rigid (LR) truck licence. The new
lower-load-capacity Ram 3500 still offers 894 kg of payload capacity, with a GVM
of 4490 kg, making it drivable on a regular licence. The existing higher-load
version has a payload of 1713 kg, and a GVM of 5309 kg.
Maximum towing for the 3500 models is 6171 kg, no
matter the GVM, while the 2500 models offer 6942 kg capacity by way of a
fifth-wheel and gooseneck setup. The 3500 models don’t have the option of
RamBoxes, due to the fact the flared tub (housing dual rear wheels) aren’t
compatible.
There are other changes to the range: 2017 models
see the addition of a second microphone for the Bluetooth phone system (it’s
that big), and Ram Australia has changed the tyres on the standard-fit 18-inch
wheels to be Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 rubber in 275/70 sizing, apparently to
reduce road roar noise.
The existing 6.7-litre turbo diesel six-cylinder
engine remains unchanged, with 375 Hp of power and a huge 1084 Nm of torque. A
six-speed automatic gearbox is standard.
2017 Ram Trucks pricing (plus on-road costs):
- 2500 Laramie: AUD 139,500
- 2500 Laramie with RamBoxes: AUD 142,900
- 3500 Laramie (car licence): AUD 143,900
- 3500 Laramie (LR licence): AUD 146,500
