Surviving and Thriving in the Great Outdoorsman
The 2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman brings true greatness to the great outdoors. Built with ample power, refinement and versatility, the Outdoorsman scoffs in the face of a steadily softening half-ton pickup class.
The newest Ram Outdoorsman (starting MSRP $28,250) may be the best looking half-ton on the market. Rugged and handsome, the 1500 has broad shoulders that bear the weight of a beautifully boxy frame, and comes complemented by available features like foglamps, quad halogen headlamps, power heated mirrors, a power sliding rear window and standard 17-inch aluminum wheels. Doors are triple sealed for a quieter cabin, and the integrated dual-exhaust is a class-exclusive.
But in Regular, Quad and Crew Cabs, and with five-foot seven-inch, six-foot four-inch or eight-foot boxes, the Outdoorsman isn’t simply built to look luxurious in your driveway, it’s designed to be pushed, prodded, pounded and piled on. Time-tested Ram toughness comes accompanied by real-world versatility, in the form of the class-exclusive RamBox® Cargo Management System. An available feature on the new Outdoorsman, the RamBox® integrates the security and functionality of a lockable trunk into each side of the spacious bed.
The easily-accessible and easily-washable RamBox® is a must-have for diehard truck owners, and especially outdoorsmen, as it allows for the simple, safe storage of hunting, fishing and camping gear, building equipment or even ice and beverages (up to 280 cans worth) with minimal infringement on available bed space. You can pack one side full of fishing poles and tackle boxes, one side with a tent and firewood, and still have ample room to load up your ATV.
The ready-for-anything 2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman gets a Ram 4.7-liter V8 engine, along with a six-speed automatic transmission and heavy-duty engine and transmission oil cooling systems. With 310 hp and 330 lb/ft of torque, the Ram offers up to 20 mpg and E85 Ethanol FlexFuel-capable efficiency, as well as the all-season, terrain-conquering traction of available dial-controlled Four-Wheel Drive. Electronic Throttle Control gives the Outdoorsman impressive responsiveness while a multi-coil rear suspension setup dramatically improves ride quality.
A hydroformed frame and full-boxed side rails lend improved strength, stability and stiffness, qualities that help the Ram tow and haul with the best in its class. Standard features like Trailer Sway Control and Hill-Start Assist give added bite to a vehicle with towing teeth to spare; properly equipped, the Outdoorsman tows up to 10,450 pounds.
Inside, the newest Ram sets the bar for competitors with an attractive interior and premium appointments that include an available leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo, audio input jack, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. More importantly, it keeps its built-for-business attitude going strong with flexible, folding rear seats and available underseat and removable in-floor storage bins. Also available is a cavernous two-tier center console.
Electronic Stability Control and anti-lock brakes come standard on the Outdoorsman, as do front and side-curtain airbags. Available skid plates protect the transfer case and suspension system while the strong, lightweight safety cage itself is reinforced by innovative crumple zones and side-impact door beams.
The great outdoors is only as great as the vehicle with the capability to take you there. With impressive power, functionality and style, the newest Ram Outdoorsman climbs higher, takes you farther and helps you stay there longer than any other vehicle in its class.