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2011 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 169 in. WB SLT
- Original MSRP:
- $35,815
- Vehicle Class:
- Vehicles Over 8,500 lbs.
- Fuel Type:
- Regular unleaded
- MPG:
- N/A city / N/A hwy
- Warranties
- Basic:
- 3 Years / 36,000 Miles
- Drivetrain:
- 5 Years / 100,000 Miles
- Roadside:
- 3 Years / 36,000 Miles
- Rust:
- 5 Years / 100,000 Miles
2011 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Reviews
- Body Style: Crew Cab
- Vehicle Size: Full Size
- MSRP: $35815.00
- Mileage: 0
- Fuel Type: Regular unleaded
- Fuel Capacity: 35.00
- Horsepower:
- Seating Capacity:6
- Build Location: Saltillo, Mexico
Overview:
The 2011 Ram Heavy Duty models, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, are comfortable and highly capable, ready for serious towing or heavy-duty hauling. Thoroughly revised for 2010, the 2011 Rams boast proven technology while benefiting from some minor updates. A new Ram Outdoorsman model expands the 2011 Ram 2500 and 2011 Ram 3500 lineup.Ram Heavy Duty models received a major overhaul for the 2010 model year along with refinements throughout. The Crew Cab got larger, giving Ram a unique cab lineup in the segment. The Ram Heavy Duty was restyled for 2010 to go with the new 2009 Ram 1500 light-duty. The Ram Heavy Duty is not identical to the light-duty trucks, but many interior and some sheetmetal parts are the same. The regular and crew cab interiors are also very similar.
For 2011, the biggest change is the introduction of the new Outdoorsman, a Ram packaged for use by hunters, fisherman, campers, and boaters. The Ram Outdoorsman replaces the TRX and is available in many Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 configurations.
Other updates for 2011 include making the in-dash vehicle information center standard on all models, and an integrated brake controller comes standard on all but the base model, a great feature. The navigation system has been updated for 2011. A factory spray-in bedliner is available, along with new colors and new wheel designs.
Most of the parts and technology on the 2011 models have been proven in earlier Rams. The cabin was launched in the 2009 Ram 1500, and the engines, transmissions and brakes are evolutionary versions of the 2009 heavy-duty models. The gasoline engine that comes standard is the most powerful base engine in big pickups. The optional Cummins turbodiesel met current emissions requirements years ago. The diesel engines from both Ford and GM are new, and both of them require a fuel additive the Ram diesel pickup does not. Only the Ram offers a choice of transmissions with the diesel. With Ford and GM you get the automatic. Some drivers who pull heavy trailers say you get better reliability on steep hills with a manual. We prefer the automatic, however.
Much attention has been devoted to ride comfort and quiet on the 2011 Ram HD, and it is noticeable. The feature lists, both standard and available continue to grow, as pickups become ever-more car-like inside: heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, Sirius Backseat TV and so on. But don't confuse this with a car because it is substantially larger and will not ride softly even if you load it up. That said, we found a 2011 Ram 3500 rode very nicely while towing a 6,000-pound trailer.
The most capable Ram HD pickups will carry more than 5,000 pounds or tow more than 17,500 pounds. Other pickups may better those tow ratings, but whether they actually tow any better is another story. Also, trailers heavy trailers require a different driver's license in some states.
The Ram Heavy Duty models will work for anyone who has work to do, be it hauling construction tools and materials, plowing driveways or dragging around big trailers. They remain a compelling choice for anyone in need of a heavy-duty pickup truck, and on balance are priced similarly to 2010 models.
Officially, Chrysler no longer refers to its full-size pickup as the Dodge Ram. It's now just the Ram. We may still refer to the Ram as a Dodge because we haven't figured out how to change a model name to a brand name, but Chrysler does not.
The 2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models compete with the Chevrolet Silverado HD, Ford Super Duty and GMC's Sierra HD lineups.
The 2011 Ram Heavy Duty uses the same cabin as the Ram 1500; the few differences are for features or shifter locations the 1500 does not have.
Materials and trim are appropriate by model line, be they the base truck or a Laramie Mega Cab with Ram's head embosses on the seatbacks and console. We found no fit-and-finish issues. The Laramie's fake wood looks just like real wood and gloss surfaces generate no glare to bother the occupants. Although a vinyl floor is standard on only the base ST model you can order it with a more upscale interior if it's only your boots that get filthy. Thick mats designed for muck and slush are standard on the Outdoorsman but you can get similar pieces through Mopar accessories.
The Regular Cab has plenty of room for two people, three across if you don't mind the floor hump. The biggest guy we could find who claimed to be 325 on a good day had no qualms about space.
The Crew Cab offers essentially the same space in the front seat as the Regular Cab but provides a roomy back seat. Most Crew Cabs have a split folding rear seat and a center armrest, and all of them have three complete baby seat anchor sets and three adjustable headrests. The back seats flip up for cargo space. If you like to remove the rear seats for cargo storage you're left with a stepped floor. Coat hooks are above the rear window. The rear window can be powered open/close or replaced with a defrost-able window on most models.
The Mega Cab is nine inches longer than the Crew Cab. It has an extra five inches of legroom plus space behind the reclining seatback, and with the seats folded flat offers up 72 cubic feet of lockable cargo space, considerably more than behind the middle row in a Chevy Tahoe SUV. But plan on a lot of AC use in warm climes, as the only vents in back are on the floor.
We found the seats quite comfortable and widely adjustable, whether in the buckets or the front bench split 40/20/40. The seat cushion and backrest adjust as a unit, unlike the separate component approach that makes you go back-and-forth to get both pieces where you like. Lateral support is notably improved over earlier models without adding any difficulty to entry and exit. Big 4WD trucks are by design tall but side steps are available.
Power adjustable pedals are available that combine with a tilt wheel and power seat adjustments to accommodate most of the population. You can even get a heated steering wheel and ventilated cooling front seats to maximize driver comfort.
The instrumentation is complete with oil pressure and battery information. On diesels all the ancillary gauges are numbered. The center dash Electronic Vehicle Information Display can call up transmission temperature and tire pressures (2500 only) among the slew of data, adjustments and messages; ours told us to clean already-dusty rear park sensors rolling down a dry highway so we opted to wait. We were pleased to find EVIC, navigation, audio and brake controller displays were all easily viewed through polarized lenses. The EVIC is run through buttons on the front side steering wheel spokes; the back side of the spokes is reserved for audio system functions.
Switchgear is straightforward, with audio and navigation controls above climate controls in the center stack, plus operating controls for the Tow/Haul mode, exhaust brake and so on. The Light Tire Load switch on 2500 models allows you to set the tire pressure in the rear tires on an unloaded 2500 notably lower than the front, for better wear and ride comfort without the low tire pressure warning light coming on. On electric-shift 4WDs the switch is on the left side of the center panel and includes a Neutral position for being flat-towed. The trailer brake controller is below the headlight switch to the left about knee-high, and some drivers reported the steering wheel partially obscured it.
Side pillars are larger than in some cars but you sit far enough back that they don't intimidate. The bodywork is reasonably well defined for close quarter maneuvering by new-truck standards, and the rear park sensors and/or camera will get you within inches.
Interior storage is extensive and even better than the half-ton Crew Cab's forty-odd places to put things because the heavy-duty has no shifter and gets an extra space in the console. Upper and lower door pockets are complemented by a variety of shapes from the broad tray on the dash that we emptied on the first corner to the under-floor storage areas behind the front seats; you can't reach these from the driver's seat but the liners are removable for cleaning and locks are available.
The audio and entertainment systems bring plenty of options and sonic performance that benefits from a relatively quiet interior. Partial credit must go to the noise and vibration tuning that includes liquid-filled body mounts that helps make this the quietest Ram heavy-duty yet without adding much weight.
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