Dodge Ram Outdoorsman 1500 Crew Cab 4×4
The Dodge Outdoorsman was purpose-built for the early morning hours and dusk with extra outdoor lighting.
We start most every hunting trip in the dark, which is why designers of the purpose-built Ram Outdoorsman gave special attention to lights. Lights under the mirrors illuminate the ground outside the doors. Lights inside the Ram box (built-in cargo box compartments accessible from outside the pickup bed) are very useful for loading and retrieving gear. The Outdoorsman has built in gun racks in the lockable, weatherproof compartments.
It may seem like a small thing to some, but Ram designers get what our boots get like. Full slush and mud mats designed for the Outdoorsman, have plenty of void and sculpted sidewalls to catch and hold mud and water to protect the carpet.
Exterior features not only look tough, but add toughness for off road use. The two-tone paint job accentuates the fender flares that add protection to the quarter panels and help keep mud off of the sides. Mud and snow LT tires feature heavy-duty, more puncture resistant sidewalls. Skid plates protect several components underneath the Outdoorsman.
Ram Outdoorsman is available in 1500 (half-ton), 2500 HD (3/4-ton) and 3500 HD single rear wheel (1 ton), Regular Cab; Quad Cab, Crew Cab and Mega Cab; four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive; and short- and long-wheelbase models.
A five-link coil-sprung rear axle, 390-hp Hemi, interior refinements akin to a luxury sedan, and a retro-style aerodynamic body combine to make one sweet ride.
But what determines any new vehicle’s true worth is when tires touch ground with a load in the bed or a trailer in tow. The 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 4×4 Crew Cab Outdoorsman definitely has a lot of worth for before, during and after hunting season.
Prior to building the current generation of Ram pickup, the company’s best-selling vehicle, Ram engineers spent an inordinate amount of time talking with current owners and holding idea sessions with consumers who own other brands to see what they thought would be the ideal combination for the newest version of Ram 1500.
The result of such consumer input was a new Ram reflecting dozens upon dozens of design changes and improvements from the model it replaces. This is gave Ram a great platform upon which to build models such as the Outdoorsman.
SMOOTH SUSPENSION
The most dramatic change to this new generation of Ram is ride and handling. In years gone by I’d always use the Dodge Ram as my example of a hard, harsh ride when talking about daily driving manners. I have to find a new example now. Dodge’s continued use of a coil-sprung solid-axle rear suspension in the ’11 Rams maintains its dominance in terms of ride quality.
This switch from leaf springs to coils, while retaining the solid rear axle housing, dramatically improved ride and handling while retaining quite acceptable ½-ton pickup payload numbers for a Crew Cab 4×4 equipped with the 5.7L Hemi and stock 17-inch wheels (up to 1,430 pounds). Maximum towing with a weight-distribution hitch is 9,950 pounds.
Note: If you get the optional 20-inch wheels maximum towing capacity drops by 50 pounds.
LOOKS WITH UTILITY
I have to admit being a former Ram owner back in the late ‘90s. But when they changed to a more modern look, I switched brands because I didn’t like the trucks looks. The new Ram has again caught my eye. From the forward-canted grille and retro-aero styling to the new headlights and bumpers, this Ram turns a lot of heads.
The Outdoorsman logo is displayed on the outside of the RamBox - built in storage for gear.
The new look also features an aluminum hood with a little bulge, and the hood is now separate from the new forward-canted grille that sports a very prominent cross-hair and 3-D Ram emblem at the center.
But my favorite change is the addition of the consummate bed cargo management system called the “RamBox.” The RamBox ($1,895) is the optional replacement bed for the standard 5’7” box found on the new Crew Cab models.
Each RamBox includes a bed rail storage box on each side that extends the length of the bed side and opens up to reveal a lighted, weatherproof, drainable, lockable storage bin capable of holding tools, tool boxes, Hi-Lift jacks, fishing/camping gear, guns, gear, drinks, whatever it is you need easy access to but don’t have room in the cab.
It also includes and adjustable cargo divider so you can keep gear bags and gas cans from sliding around in an empty bed—or separated from other gear and cargo. The divider unfolds and becomes a bed-extender as well, providing another 18 inches of bed length.
The Rambox also incorporates a strong bed side anchor system with sliding cleats to keep just about anything you need tied down secure in the bed.
ONE FINE RIDE
If luxury appointments are your style for work and play, the Ram Outdoorsman 1500 Crew Cab 4×4 is the only way to ride. The new front bucket and back seats are really well-done for both comfort and support. In fact, I consider the Ram’s seats the most comfortable pickup seats out there.
Hunters are sure to find the Ram Outdoorman’s remote start feature a hot item. Start the truck when you idle the boat up to the dock and truck’s computer will bring the cab temperature to 72-degrees whether it’s 20-below or 120-degrees outside. So when you slide into the cab the temperature—and your seats—are just right. If that’s not enough, click on the steering wheel warmer.
MULTIPLE CHOICES
Dodge offers the new Rams with three engines: 215hp 3.7L V-6 (2WD Reg Cab & Quad Cab); 310hp 4.7L V-8 (all 4WD models); and the 390hp 5.7L Hemi V-8, which is standard in all Sport/Laramie models.
If you are a serious hunter and towing an ATV trailer of camp trailer you’ll love the Hemi. It delivers excellent power and the Multiple Displacement System allows it to switch between V-4/V-8 modes as you drive to get decent fuel economy. Leave the other engine options to those who are less informed.
Hemi-equipped Rams come with the 6-speed automatic. But you do have the option of part-time or on-demand four-wheel-drive, and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 (Reg Cab only) axle ratios. If you tow, get the 3.92 axle ratio as it has the highest towing capacity rating for the 4x4s.
The On-Demand 4WD system, which I prefer, can be shifted into high-range on the fly—or left in automatic mode leaving you free to enjoy the drive regardless the road conditions. The only item the new Ram appears to lack is an electric-locking rear differential. It has a limited-slip, but that’s not nearly as nice as having a full locker at your disposal.
Price-wise Dodge offers the new Ram in a wide variety of either two- or four-wheel-drive configurations starting with Regular ($22,170), Quad Cab ($26,225) and Crew Cab ($32,530) models.
If bed length is a concern, there are three: 8-foot (Regular Cab); 6-foot-4-inches (Regular Cab and Quad Cab); and 5-foot-7” (Crew Cab).
Overall, Dodge should be really proud of the way they are outfitting hunters with the Outdoorsman.—BWS
[Sidebar 1] RamBox Holster Features
- Designed to be easily installed and removed from RamBox
- Securely holds two guns, either shotguns or rifles (with scopes), or six fishing rods (with reels)
- Guns are held securely in place with elastic retention straps and flexible ribs
- Fishing rods are held in place by uniquely tooled slots and retention flaps
- RamBox Holster easily transfers from gun holder to fishing rod and reel holder by rotating stanchions
- Stanchions may be relocated to accommodate various length guns and rods
- Fits either side RamBox (driver or passenger)
- Mopar Part Number – 82212359
[Sidebar 2] Trim Brothers
Outdoorsman will replace the TRX4 trim level in the 2011 Ram Truck lineup. It will join the other Ram trim levels, which include: ST, SLT, Big Horn / Lone Star, Sport (1500 only) Laramie and Power Wagon (2500 only).
