The massive
13.9-inch brake rotors are the largest in the segment, and combine with
standard ABS and 17-inch wheels and tires to provide an extra margin of
safety. Electronic Variable Brake Proportioning is part of the ABS, and
it keeps the front-to-rear brake balance tuned for the best possible braking
performance regardless of the load.
In the event
of a crash, the Ram Heavy Duty includes the industry's only pre-tensioning
seatbelts and optional side curtain air bags in a heavy-duty truck.
Safety has
probably not been a significant consideration for many heavy-duty truck
buyers in the past, but sales in the segment have grown by 34 percent
since 1996. Most of that growth is from "personal use" buyers
rather than from commercial customers who register the trucks in their
company's name. So there are more boat, horse trailer and camper owners
out there who want the increasingly car-like comfort and safety amenities
available in light duty trucks, but in a vehicle that is better-suited
to towing their toys.
Dodge has
done a first rate job on the Ram in general and its new engines in particular.
It is too early to say whether the new Ram is the top truck on the market,
but our preview test drive at the company's proving grounds demonstrates
that they have a better contender than every before.
