I hope the Ram folks had a good time.

YO!

whats up with the Raminator is that somebodys ride or past concept?

i love that tractor but have never had the chance to work with IH...only john deere...

Good picture of the Dodge half ton doing the flex test. I still remember the Ford super duty dually twisting like a pretzel and destroying the tailgate doing the same test with 3000 pounds in the bed. What a poor excuse for a one ton truck. Ford you are still losing trying to build a real work truck that can actually do the job.

Lately, there has been a lot of action from ram,chevy/gmc and ford. Were seeing new grilles for the superdutys and possible body alterations. Gmc has the heritage model for the nostalgic, and the spyshots of the MY 2014's. It'll be interesting to see the whole thing. Dodge is making waves, from the tradesmen to express and outdoor, their public image is ever increasing. The new eight speed transmission and pentastar v6 is very promising. I must warn chevy and gmc to increase their research and development. Right now there playing second fiddle to ford but dodge is creeping closer.

I would be proud to own a ram, silverado/sierra or f150. Only if toyota and nissan would get the point and hang up the towel on the tundra and titan, which are the biggest jokes for a pickup truck. They are either stagnant or an awkward alternative.

In the 2008 LD shootout the Laraimie did ok in the wheel travel test, believe Ford won. I wonder if the Outdoorsman/TRX4 woulda done better?

Nice trucks,if it helps sales..go for it !!Cant wait for the 2013 Dodge trucks,those will kick butt in performance and fuel economy !!

So if play a country song backwards you get your wife back, your dog back, your job, and house.

What do you get back if you drive a Ram backwards?

@Peter: that would mean you go back to driving whatever truck or pile u were in before!

Looks like a great event, I would have loved it.

Greg, do you ever stop trolling?

Has anyone ever told you that you cover Ram too dodgeramn much?

Is there really any question about who buys Dodge trucks and what kind of music they listen to?

Well, Dodge and Ford are kicking Chevy's ass for sure. Dodge kicking Ford though? Not so much... They have a Long way to go to take over loyal Ford customers. Taking over Chevy is a cakewalk as bad as Chevy let their trucks go downhill. Old Chevy loyalists are more loyal to Ford now when it comes to trucks..

Dodge IS taking down Chevy in 2012/2013!!! Real rough and tough country men drive Laramie Longhorn Dodge Rams.

Interesting to see that Fiat's had the good sense to co-locate sister brand Case's tractors with the Ram trucks.

I remember a story indicating that Dodge research stated that the typical Ram owner was around 6 feet tall, average weight of 220 and owned 2 dogs. Are we going to see a dog kennel adaptor, cowboy hat rack insert, or cowboy boot rack for the RamBox, or load leveling seats for the Costco sized owners?

Just kidding,
but sucking up to a certain demographic just because your research says that is the most common buyer could backfire. You need to hold on to old buyers and attract new ones. I like the luxury packages but I am sick and tired of the "over the top" country themes.

I find this cowboy theme event just too steriotypical.
Imagine if someone did the same for an ethnic group?

@jimkenseth, are u serious? Gm is selling almost as many trucks as ford with a 5 year old design, when the new redesign comes, I will almost put money on it that gm will easily outsell ford

ram= git r dun

As far as Ram taking over ford and gm, it won't ever happen, to many reliability issues.

Man that looked like fun. I thought it was a truck roller coaster at first, which by the way someone should build. Ram all the way baby.

@DodgeGuy44, Every real country man I've ever known drives Fords or Chevy's. Albeit not many Chevy's anymore but once upon a time they did. Those cowboys, country boys, farmers and blue collar working men were all fired up on Chevy trucks for decades back when they were a damn good truck. Most of those guys drive King Ranch Ford's now though because they're nicer and better built. Dodge ever toppling Ford is laughable.

I will almost put money on it that gm will easily outsell ford

@Evank, Never happen. For one, there is no such thing as "GM" trucks when counting numbers. OK, technically GM"C" is the GM truck but they don't specify what's GM. Chevy counts as one total, GMC counts as another. Two different brands that even GM counts seperately. Likewise, when comparing sales, Ford will always win. If all 'GM' trucks became Chevrolet's and GM made them nice enough to compete with Ford, I could see Chevrolet coming close to outselling Ford with the right truck design. Outside if that though, it will never technically and therefore legitimately happen.

but sucking up to a certain demographic just because your research says that is the most common buyer could backfire. You need to hold on to old buyers and attract new ones. I like the luxury packages but I am sick and tired of the "over the top" country themes.

I find this cowboy theme event just too steriotypical.
Imagine if someone did the same for an ethnic group?

@Lou, and this is why Ford has the Platinum. I'd assume this is why the Laramie Limited exists now too. And yet again this is Chevrolet's downfall. GM 'might' give a good tough man trim ala Silverado Outlaw to Chevy but let's say someone wanted an Outlaw XL or XLT which was more luxurious and toned down on the western theme. I'd about bet anything GM wouldn't allow Chevrolet truck customers to have it. It would step on their precious GMC Denali.

Ram ought to play up their connection with Case/IH.

First there was Ford's King Ranch and then RAM saw the sales numbers for them so here came the LongHorn and it's well done.

Then, Ford's country spokesman Toby Keith and Mike Rowe...
good idea they said... let's make a country theme a la Ford!

Nobody copies second best... they aim the best! FORD.

I wish I was there.

@FordTrucks1 - I do agree that Ford and Ram have the right idea in offering a premium truck that does not have a cowboy theme. They say that Texas is the biggest pickup market in the USA and therefore by extension North America. That would explain all of the cowboy truck packages.
My comment about "sucking up to a certain demographic" is that I find this whole "cowboy lifestyle" event a blatent "suck up" to those "steriotypes" = C&W music, cowboy hats, boots, jeans and shirts, plus tractors, bbq's, and pickups.
WTF????
Should Cadillac sponsor an event with Rappers, tattoo's, gold jewelry, and semi-auto handguns?
I know lots of C&W fans that wouldn't know what a tractor looks like or which end of the cow smells.
GMC probably should offer buyers a choice of western or contemporary theme interiors. That is their downfall.
Ram is making all of the right moves.
GMC isn't.
This is just too over the top for me.

Should Cadillac sponsor an event with Rappers, tattoo's, gold jewelry, and semi-auto handguns?

@Lou, lol! You make a good point. Escalade's and Denali's. Those rapper types are big on the Denali's now though. Maybe GMC could go in on the event.. I figured out what that whole #22 thing is I've been seing on all of these Denali's, it's apparently a rim/tire size. They must have seen it in a rap video and thought it was cool. Kind of like the pitbull's they all seem to have now. Literally, The Escalade is probably fading as the top dog for that crowd around here as I see more Denali's than anything now.. I've seen the Sierra's, Yukon's, Acadia's and Envoy's all pimped out. It has to say Denali though. There's a black Yukon Denali with a huge #22 badge on both front fenders here in town. Big gold rims, blacked out windows and on the back window is a big gold sticker that says "Gangsta Man's Club". I about die in laughter everytime I see it. I bet by the end of summer everyone will figure out their own goofy 'GMC' slogan and have it on their window thinking it's the coolest thing since since the 40oz. Even if that wasn't GM's intention initially, that's exactly what they got. I doubt Cadillac set out to attract a bunch of rappers and attach the 'Bling' tag to their Escalade either. I myself don't really get it. They ought to roll that Sierra over into Cadillac to take the EXT's place. That would free up Chevrolet to take on these Ford and Ram trims and GM could charge more for a Sierra by Cadillac taking Both off the table for the rapper/bling crowd. Just price them out of reach. I'd Give the market to Chrysler just so I wasn't associated with it. That's the other hot ride anyway. The Chrysler's with the fake Bentley grille's. How sad.

@Jackalope- It's true. Dodge is copying Ford now and who can blame them? And I have to give credit to Ford. They reinvented the modern day truck IMO... but, BUT... As a Chevy guy, Chevrolet did have the best truckingman spokesman of all time in George Strait. Toby Keith is nice, Mike Rowe is cool, Sam Elliot is brilliant but nobody can top the King. I wish they'd bring Mr. Strait back for one more time.. Chevrolet will always be able to say they did it first and did it best (again IMO). Kind of like these new truck commercials Ford and Dodge have doing lots of cool stuff. I still think Chevy did it first and did it best.. Nothing will ever top the Task Force truck commercials of 1957. The Task Force should be our Super Duty! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LLs7lUoYwE

We also had the best slogan in "Like A Rock". Built Ford Tough is cool too though..

@FordTrucks1- I've read some of your posts and agree with a few of them. I gotta say though, that Silverado Outlaw package to go against the King Ranch is about the coolest thing I've ever read from you. I agree.. If a Ford guy ever 'got' Chevrolet on here it's you.

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like the Lariat
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather like the King Ranch
Silverado Outlaw XL- See below

If I can possibly steal what you posted above and expand on it and give My take, Silverado Outlaw XL (X-designation='s Very top, L designation='s Limited) This would be Chevrolet's Platinum without the western theme. If I ran Chevrolet all of these things would be implemented tomorrow and our truck line would then be complete and restored better than ever.

@Bill, thank you for the kind words. I was a Chevy man years and years ago. I kind of got bit by the Ford bug though and fell in love. I still have a soft spot for Chevy and still think 'how can they get this or that aspect back'. I think I get Chevrolet pretty well. Here's what I would do:

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like the Lariat
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather like the King Ranch
Silverado XL- Platinum equivalent. Smoother leather, no western theme.

I'd do it like that and here's why. I came up Silverado Outlaw because of the Cowboy-Tough Man theme it has. It's a Perfect King Ranch and Laramie Longhorn fighter. It even has that 'old school' bad ass Chevrolet attitude/vibe about it. I could see it as a Huge seller. Then I think I'd remove Outlaw from the name as to indicate it's not the western rugged trim. It would be more classy I suppose. Yet it would Still retain the Silverado name to indicate it's one of the two top trim packages to keep with proper Chevrolet truck heritage. I think Silverado XL sounds perfect.

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like the Lariat
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather like the King Ranch
Silverado XL- Platinum equivalent. Smoother leather, no western theme.

@FordTrucks1- BINGO. Very impressed!! If that isn't the best sounding line of truck trims I don't know what is. I like that 4 trim package line better than Ford's and Ram's to be honest. Wow.. I should hire you for marketing. Chevrolet, Listen to this man.

@fordtrucks, when I said gm i ment the silverado and Sierra, sorry if I caused confusion. Chevy will get back in the game though...the only reason gm stretched this body style out so long was cause of the bankruptcy witch put the trucks on the back burner for a wile. If gm didn't exist, I would drive a ford product...but I will never EVER own a Chrysler product again. To many bad experiences.

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like the Lariat
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather like the King Ranch
Silverado XL- Platinum equivalent. Smoother leather, no western theme.

@FordTrucks1, I'm extremely impressed with this as well. Nice job. As a new owner of a Platinum I would definitely shop the Silverado XL against it in the future provided it was done properly. As a matter of fact we went to the dealership with the King Ranch in mind but they didn't have the color we wanted so ended up with a Platinum instead. I would shop the Silverado Outlaw against the King Rach in a heartbeat. Once again, if done properly. I always drove Chevrolet's but this time I had to jump over to Ford. If Chevrolet got it's act together with this next Silverado, I might reconsider them in a few years when my warranty is up. They have a tough act to follow though. I posted in another thread of my being Very impressed with the new Impala at the NY show. Maybe it's a sign of things to come? Either way, I love the 4 trim names listed. Bill Dewalt is correct, Chevrolet should look at these names very hard.

Silverado XL? should stay Silverado LTS as top trim not no xl ford junk

LTZ my bad

@JonDoe, It's LTZ. That should be a trim name for cars. Our Malibu and Silverado both are LTZ's. I don't really like that. For trucks I like real names like Ford and Dodge are using here Much better. I think the Cheyenne, Scottsdale, Silverado Outlaw names are perfect. I could see the Silverado XL. Those letter types names are for luxury. Kind of like Extra Luxury or Limited or whatever. It's a hell of alot better than LTZ. I think most buyers would opt for the Scottsdale or Outlaw anyway.

XL is ford letters i do like the names though just not XL

XL is ford letters i do like the names though just not XL

@JD, no, you do have a good point. Ford's XLT didn't even register last night. I'd most likely leave the 3 names then and just do an Outlaw Limited edition if they felt the need to do so. Scott Jordan is correct also. Most people would go with the Scottsdale or Silverado Outlaw anyway.

That should be a trim name for cars. Our Malibu and Silverado both are LTZ's. I don't really like that. For trucks I like real names like Ford and Dodge are using here Much better.

@Scott, me too. I think having an LTZ truck with an LTZ car would just make the truck feel like a car. I likwise prefer real names for truck trims. Chevy had a great thing going before, I don't understand why they screw stuff like that up.

I'd most likely leave the 3 names then and just do an Outlaw Limited edition if they felt the need to do so

@FordTrucks1- I'd agree with that. Starting fresh, they could already one up slightly the King Ranch and Laramie Longhorn right out of the gate anyway. That may be all they need. I think the Cheyenne, Scottsdale, Silverado Outlaw interior packages are perfect!.. It's pure Chevrolet in my book. It also gets rid of those stupid car trim names as mentioned. I never liked those in my truck either. Maybe keep the letter names for GMC as they seem to be going after more of the Cadillac audience but not for Chevy.

Cheyenne
Scottsdale
Silverado Outlaw

PURE PERFECTION in my book. An untouchable trifecta of trim packages if done properly.

@BillDeWalt - very true about Georges Strait. Amen bro.
To be honest. I'm not the Texas truck type either.
For the trims, here's how I see it:

Cheyenne- Base Trim (Ford's XL)
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like Ford's XLT
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather - Ford's Lariat
Silverado Outlaw XL- like it's LTZ, still a Lariat.
GM doesn't have anything that goes neck to neck with the King Ranch, Harley or Platinum. I hope they do for the 2014 model along with a better powertrain.

@BillDeWalt - very true about Georges Strait. Amen bro.
To be honest. I'm not the Texas truck type either.
For the trims, here's how I see it:

Cheyenne- Base Trim (Ford's XL)
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury like Ford's XLT
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather - Ford's Lariat
Silverado Outlaw XL- like it's LTZ, still a Lariat.
GM doesn't have anything that goes neck to neck with the King Ranch, Harley or Platinum. I hope they do for the 2014 model along with a better powertrain.

Amen Jackalope!!. Sounds awesome to me. About time Chevy got down to business like this. As for these Dodge's, they're putting the pressure of Ford aren't they? I'd bet Ford is preparing to one up them. Chevy better double down if they want to play against Ford and Dodge it looks like. I'm loving these new Silverado trim packages though! I hope Chevy does them just like this. No need to change a thing as they're Perfect!

Just to add, I'd make the Silverado Outlaw like the Lariat meets King Ranch though. Take out their two trims with our one. It shouldn't be a problem.

Dodge is Finally bring it to Ford. It's about darn time. I'm flat out sick and tired of Ford owning all things Truck. Dodge had built some of the best trucks for decades. Ever since I was a kid. Who was the first to give their customers a swing arm coil SFA? Dodge. That's who. And they gave it in a 1500 to boot! I'm glad Dodge is Finally getting the respect it deserves.

Cheyenne
Scottsdale
Silverado Outlaw

Even I have to admit that is pretty bad ass. Awesome job on the nomenclature Ford Trucks. If the people at Rencen had a clue they'd have already trademarked those names (or whatever they do) to use them again. Cheyenne and Scottsdale I remember. As trim 1 and trim 2 they are perfectly aligned. Sliverdo Outlaw is just a homerun name though if I've ever heard one. Perfect in keeping the Silverado name for the truck and the top trim both. Those people at Chevy aren't that bright though.

Amen Jackalope!!. Sounds awesome to me. About time Chevy got down to business like this. As for these Dodge's, they're putting the pressure of Ford aren't they? I'd bet Ford is preparing to one up them

@KentScarborough: You didn't get the memo? (the story that was on her for a few days, and pulled off) Ford doesn't have many changes planned for the F-150. What you see is what you'll get....

@TRX4, No, I didn't know that about Ford. I just found this place over the weekend. They must be fairly stressed out then. Even if Chevrolet didn't live up to the hopes of the Chevy faithful with this next truck it looks like Dodge is prepared for a serious battle. I'll give it to Ford. They really did earn much of their truck loyalty. The Super Duty, these 04 and up F-150's, all of their trim packages, the Raptor and such. I see there's a new F-150 commercial running now talking about the regrets of buying a Chevy Silverado or something to that effect. I guess we'll see what happens with this new Silverado. That will almost tell the tale of how well this Ram will fare longterm. I do think Dodge has the upper hand with their 2500's though. Those high straight frame rails and SFA like Ford also has is a big plus.

In talking about George Strait, why don't they bring him back one last time? Get some excitement going again. Even old Chevy guys who may drive Ford's now just might go and check out the new Silverado with George's endorsement. It would let some much needed credibility to Chevy trucks again. Bring back the Like A Rock tagline while they're at it. I can see George Strait in a new Silverado Outlaw on the ranch. He could introduce the new line of trims. Everything oold would suddenly become new again. That's what Chevy needs badly. To light that spark. Either way, I'm just Loving these trims..

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather
Silverado Outlaw XL

@KentScarborough- I think TRXTom was refering to a story posted where a Ford executive put both feet in his mouth by saying their wouldn't be any big changes to the F150. He also made some less than flatering comments about a previous gen Ford. I was blown away by the fact that this site pulled the story instead of telling Ford to bugger off. Mike Levine still has a lot of pull it seems.
I was able to pull up a cashed version of the initial story. You can find the similar story on other websites with more balls.

No Big Changes in F-150's Future, Ford Analyst Says
Posted by Mark Williams | March 15, 2012

The Ford F-150 is not likely to change much over next several years — at least that's what Ford's top U.S. sales analyst says.
"Segments like the midsize car, where we need to make a big noise against Honda and Toyota, are much better places for Ford to make strong gains, but where we already have a strong presence and people are holding onto their trucks longer than ever before, we're likely to continue giving customers what they want," Eric Merkle said at the Motor Press Guild monthly meeting at the Ford Design studio in Irvine, Calif.
Once a carmaker finds a way to allow the design team to incorporate passion into a design, no matter what the segment, the rest is just packaging it properly, Merkle said. "I remember when the redesigned Mustang came out," he said. "It was one of the easiest forecasts I've ever done. I just asked what the maximum capacity was at the plant, and that was my next-year sales prediction."
Of course not all forecasts go that route, but the more passion you inject, along with all the necessary data points (ride comfort, perceived quality, quietness, cupholders), the better the chances for sales success, Merkle says.
From all indications, the new midsize Ford Fusion will be a hit because of what Merkle describes as the "distance between data and design." The way he explains it, data collectors get all the information about what customers want in a particular segment, and that info is handed over to the designers. The difference between what customers see and the average transaction price in the segment will all be extra value. Buyers will know they're getting a great value if they think the vehicle they're buying looks more expensive than it is and offers all the capacity and capability they need, Merkle says.
When asked how much passion can be injected into a new pickup truck design, Merkle brought up the softer and more organic F-150 design from 1996 that didn't seem to go over well with truck guys. "The pickup has always been a strong tool. ... It's like a hammer, and the design has to communicate that," Merkle said. "The '96 design didn't do that very well. I think we've got all the aerodynamics out of the F-150 that we can." Tiny gains will always be hunted down, Merkle said, but it is more likely that the biggest changes will continue to come from new powertrain choices.
"You know we announced the partnership with Toyota," Merkle said, "to explore the idea of a hybrid pickup truck. ... I think it would be kind of cool to use whatever electric generator that might include to run a bunch of power tools or set up a well-stocked campsite."
No doubt we'll hear more from Ford and Toyota about their upcoming powertrains and the strategies they'll use to satisfy discerning truck buyers. For now, it doesn't seem like there is much in the way of new designs or technology headed for the pickup truck segment. At least, not until someone can come up with a more passion-filled design for a cab and bed pickup truck.
In 2008, there were reports (some not so credible) that Ford was in the process of resurrecting the F-100 pickup and was in heated discussions on what strategy to use. At the time, it seemed like the project was killed because the existing engine choices weren't sufficient (or economical enough at $4 gas) to achieve the necessary basic towing capacity. However, now with a full range of EcoBoost choices and with gas prices predicted to hit $5 per gallon, it wouldn't surprise us at all if the F-100 idea sees a brighter day. However, whether Ford designers get the chance to infuse the passion and capability into a single smaller pickup truck remains to be seen.
Updated, 3/15/2012: Not long after we posted this original story, Merkle contacted us and wanted to offer a few more points. "Ford has a tremendous opportunity to improve its sales performance in the passenger car segment to more closely match the success and sales leadership we’ve seen with our F-Series full-size pickups and utility vehicles. This should not be interpreted to mean F-150 won’t change in large or small ways as we reinforce our product development efforts in other segments, such as midsize sedans," Merkle told us in an email.
"Ford is proud that F-Series is the best-selling vehicle and pickup truck in America. We expect to maintain this position through a steady cadence of incremental and major improvements, such as when we introduced the new F-150 in 2009, all-new engines for F-150 and Super Duty in 2011 and last week’s announcement that all F-Series trucks will receive MyFord Touch for 2013," he continued. "We always will improve as we introduce all of our products with best-in-class quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.
"Lastly, my point on [the F-150 design from 1996] wasn't to say that customers didn't like it. The sales numbers would indicate that it was well-received. Rather, I prefer the stronger block look of current design and it actually has improved aerodynamics over the previous generations of F-150," Merkle said.

I bet that this site pulls my post.

Banned In The U.S.A. Lou.. I'd expect it from that Obama truck company GMC. (Government Motors Corp)... Ford on the other hand I held to a higher standard. SAD what this once great America has become.

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather
Silverado Outlaw XL

- Even I gotta admit, those are pretty wicked.

Cheyenne- Base Trim
Scottsdale- Mid trim/subtle luxury
Silverado Outlaw- Top trim rugged leather
Silverado Outlaw XL

@Kent, these are just flat out awesome! Dodge and Ford would have a Fit behind closed doors if Chevrolet did this. I Love it! Chevy could become an ass kicking Machine again like they used to be! Sign me up for a Silverado Outlaw. I've been wanting a new truck.

@Lou: you got it! Yeah, I bet they got a little upset that got out!

@ lou

i bet FURD CEO crap his pants when he read the article...LOL!

@Big Roy - more like the CEO farted and the PR department crapped ;)
I bet Eric Merkle now has a job mounting hubcaps.

For me a commercial won't make or break a truck, I am gonna look into it and and buy what I like. But it might get alot of peoples attention, maybe people not as in depth as we are here.

As far as the Chevy names, it not everthing, but if they don't deliver it will be. My truck says offroad on it, but I don't go offroading. I like the package it came with.