Nice, good for about three years until the USB port is changed to some new size or dimension.

Great idea, alot of commercial vehicals from Ram and Ford need this

Pretty good idea, but what if you plug in too much? In the past we used an AC inverter to run a laptop and play movies on long car trips. The box said you could run up to a 23" TV...of course, the headlights would dim and the alternator would probably be damaged trying to put out that kind of current. I'm assuming that wouldn't be as much of a problem here--there's probably a maximum as to what could be plugged in.

Typical, GM is about 5-years behind the competition. This would have been new in 2008...

Pretty cool... I think it's even more cool that GM just announced official power ratings for their 6.2 (420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque) today. Still waiting on fuel economy figures though...

420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque 12,000 pounds of towing. The rating certification officially makes the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra the most torque of any light duty pickup on the market.

SORRY HEMI V8 bout I got rub this one in as it's BEST IN CLASS LOL!

With E85 following the HP and TQ gains from the 4.3L and 5.3L puts then 6.2L ECO TECH3 at 445HP and a crazy 495 TQ.

That's fantastic johnny, ;) If what your saying is true.? G.M. will only offer that engine in the BLING, BLING PACKAGE ONLY. :((

YOU KNOW HOW THEY DO IT.

those connections in the console are just BEGGING to be filled with a drink or dirt, dust, ect......... why would a company point those straight up to catch debris? horrible idea if you ask me. I do however like the front 3 with 2 12v and a grounded 120v plug......

wow I'm glad they have usb ports but how many people really need 5 at once? Personally I've never NEEDED more than one at a time but could probably use two. Guess it doesn't hurt to have extra though. Do usb ports come standard on the new ram and f-150? My ram doesn't have one.

2013 Ram does,

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/1302_2013_truck_of_the_year_ram_1500/photo_79.html

I would rather have more USB ports than I need than not enough. Would like to see all the manufacturers do this.

@Beebe - my 2010 F150 has 1 USB port and 2 auxillary output jacks (3 if you count the lighter plug). I wish I had more capacity for the back seat passengers. I have 2 sons and they use up both auxillary ports for their laptops (gifts from the grandparents). I can see it being handy for those who travel alot or as mentioned, use their vehicle as a mobile office.
I do wonder how much current one can pull through these devices before it affects the vehicle's charging system. USB chargers usually don't draw much power.

@jeff, If usb ports are your primary concern when buying a new truck i got news for you. You can go to your local radio shack and buy a two plug for every cigarette lighter in the truck to convert them to usb.

Nice features. Typical GM always playing catchup. They should concentrate on changing their ugly frontend lol. Ford's 6.2L is derated and was waiting for GM to show. A simple software update will bump it's HP to 440hp. Ford and now RAM trucks are what men want, women likes the GM truck to get grocery.

What do you do with a USB port? I do like the home style plug though.

@Hemi V-8--No USB ports are not my primary criteria for buying a truck but they are a low cost item like the power outlets (originally for cigarette lighters) that can be added for very little additional cost. They need to put at least two in every vehicle. USB ports are used for so many things besides MP-3 players that they have become indispensable.

I don't really need the USB ports, one for my phone would be plenty. However, the kids in the back would love them. Then they can charge all of their crap that always comes with them on road trips. Phones, tablets, game boys, etc.

Did they put any in the back seat?

Uh, Joe, GM, Mark, my new F150 has chargers and ports everywhere. So, that's great. Next.

I hope Ram NEVER gets that big brother ON STAR for the GOVERNMENT to ABUSE!

Kia had USB capability in 2006, not bad Govt Motors only took 7 years to figure it out....Hey GM you don't have to offer the 8 trac anymore...lol

@HEMIV8 - "I hope Ram NEVER gets that big brother ON STAR for the GOVERNMENT to ABUSE!" I'm sure if you got ON STAR the "government" would assign at least 30 spies on you Hemi. They must really give a &uck about what a bonehead like you is up to. Besides if the "government” really wanted to find you they can go to your local Fiat dealer where you are getting that POS fixed again....lol. Did someone say recall?

Sad when the commenters pick up news before the site itself. Can't wait to hear economy figures for the GM 6.2.

On topic, USB ports are nice but when they are bunched like that it will create a tumbleweed on the console. Somebody at GM surely could have realized this? Maybe have a dedicated spot for a phone on the door, complete with a USB port so there's not a birds nest around the gear shifter?

+1 for the Ram shift knob I guess. At least it's out of the way of the precious smartphone accessories.

@UncleBud - I'm sure that you find yourself completely amusing and the very fact that I am answering one of your posts must have you firing a wad into your coloured underwear (yellow front, brown back). Ultimately, your cowardice hurts PUTC and if you do have a problem with USB ports then you should have the intestinal fortitude to debate me face to face without hiding behind your fat ass.

@UncleBud - I'm sure that you find yourself completely amusing and the very fact that I am answering one of your posts must have you firing a wad into your coloured underwear (yellow front, brown back). Ultimately, your cowardice hurts PUTC and if you do have a problem with USB ports then you should have the intestinal fortitude to debate me face to face without hiding behind your fat ass.

@Lou BC, FUNNY. Ya... Look up RECALLS on my 03 DODGE RAM. It has less then the 2014 Cheby. lol ZERO!

@HEMI V8 It is true brother from the Ram world. High Country/LTZ Chevy SLT/Denali later to come LT ST on down best in class half ton HP and TQ!
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2013/Sep/0910-powertrain.html

@Lou BC...

What in the heck are you going off over? Maybe you need to go easy on the protein shakes. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't know what I'm talking about as it relates to charger tumbleweeds on the console, under the assumption that you probably do not own a car, or a truck, or perhaps even a smartphone.

And quit all that face to face cowardice BS. You're on the Internet. Lucky for you. Otherwise you would probably have had your a$$ beat by now.

I miss the REAL LOU.

This site needs to change its name to ......................................

"P"ickup "T"rolls dot "C"om

@UncleBud - thanks. This site has really gone down the drain.

I do agree that a cluster of ports in one location can contribute to a rats nest. GMC has stubbornly stuck with the column shifter which does free up some room but many like that centre shifter. In some respects it makes more sense to have more outlets in the back then the front. That limits use to occupants not trying to drive. Even though most jurisdictions have fines for cell phone or device use while driving, I still see people doing it.

@Johnny, Enjoy it while you can. If history repeats itself Ram will put the 6.4Hemi V8 in the 1500 in 2015. The 5.7Hemi V8 came in Heavy Duty Ram's in 02. In 03 5.7Hemi V8 came in the 1500's. 2014 6.4 Hemi V8 in Heavy Duty. 2015 6.4Hemi V8 in 1500?????

I am no longer on the market for a 1500. I am going Heavy Duty 2500.

THE ONE AND ONLY.......... DODGE POWER WAGON!
THE ORIGINAL 4X4.

@HemiV8 - Allpar says this about the 6.4 in the HD's:
"The 2014 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickups both get a new 6.4 liter V8 engine producing 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque.

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/2014-heavy-duty.html#ixzz2eYDLDDKH

Unless Ram increases the power, GMC will be the HP king. As someone else pointed out, that would be the.......................

bling, bling, HP king.

Couldn't resist that one ;)

I'm sure I'll be flamed by the fake Lou's for months with that remark.
Ha Ha

Back on topic - that triple USB outlet looks a bit like an electrical outlet without a ground. I wonder how long it will take for some Bob to try to stick an extension cord into that one?

@Lou BC, The 6.4 Hemi for the class leading Heavy Duty was detuned from 470 horsepower and 470 lb ft of torque. ;))

@HEMI V8 - I doubt that they will run that kind of tune in truck. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I don't get all this detuned stuff that means nothing. All engines are detuned some more than others depending on duty it is expected to see. A crate engine makes the most, than a production car version makes the next most followed by a pickup version. People act like the rival stuck a crate engine in their pickup and yours is tuned. The Ford guys say the new GM 6.2L isn't impressive as the Ford 6.2L is detuned. It is detuned alright from crate status for the F150 and further for the Super Duty. The same thing for the Ram guys we get it the 6.4L makes more power in a SRT car and more power than that as a crate engine. You guys might as well compare tuned versions of the same class of vehicles as your favorite automaker tuned it that way for several reasons.

Console shifters are kind of cool but I think they take up space that can be better used, either for more center console storage or for a bench seat in the front, so I'm glad GM sticks with column shifters.

Truck USB position is divided into a group of three or less climate-controlled port, and the remaining two are in the center console

http://www.gridtiepowerinverteronline.com/

With the surge in lithium ion powered devices I think it is a good ideas to have more USB ports, even a all of the USB port options.

The reality is it will not cost an arm and a leg to do this. Even in dual cabs have some USB outlets in the back.

The ultimate system would be similar to an airliner with individual infotainment systems controlled by some form of RAM. You could load music, games, movies, etc for all to enjoy.

Even have a GPS system (moving map) so the kids don't have ask 'are we there yet'.

@Big Al--Set up the USB ports like the infotainment systems in airlines is a good point. USB ports in the rear passenger seats would be very useful particularly traveling with children. Keep the kids occupied with their electronic devices. This makes sense and it is a relatively low cost item that is a selling feature.

With 110VAC outlets in place, those round 12V plugs will begin to disappear- at least from the IP. They're better placed inside consoles or cargo areas.
The one place I've missed them is in the overhead consoles- lets you plug in radar detectors or portable navs to mount just above or below the mirror, w/o having to drape the chords everywhere. Same goes for vehicles that have storage right on top of the dash- no excuse for not having an outlet there.

@AD, SRT cars use a 6.4 liter Hemi rated at 470 horsepower; the truck engine, though, was designed for long-term durability under heavier constant load conditions. It includes an active runner intake, for both low end torque and high end power, and has best in class power ratings.

@AD, 392 Hemi Crate Engine - SEFI (Fuel Injected) -
525 HORSEPOWER
510 Ft. Lbs. Torque

Ford pickup is like a older woman just have a face lift evry year but the rest is older and fragile...:)

Ford is overrated in my opionion, same old body since 2004, the 5.0 is better then the 5.4 but still not great and the ecoboost is decent but some people don't want the sound of a V6. Also the interior is full of hard plastics, and whats up with that fugly front end?

Ram is way ahead of ford and gm!
Can't wait for the new air suspension for the power wagon!

Personally, I think 5 is too many, though I do appreciate the idea of having the two ports in the console for security. At least that way you can have your phone charging out of sight, reducing temptation for 'smash and grab' thieves.

However, a minimum of two ports is highly desirable for multiple reasons. Assuming for the moment that you don't have a built-in nav system, many standalone models now use USB for charging and updating. With the gradual death of the conventional cigarette lighter, other forms of charging and electrical supply have become necessary. My wife and I often need to charge our separate phones at the same time, or I may want to use mine to play music while she has let hers die and needs an emergency recharge. At the moment, being stuck with a single USB port in my truck (in an aftermarket radio) it's one or the other, not both.

I'm not the strongest fan of having those jacks out in the open because the typical USB cord can and will get in the way unless properly managed. More hidden ports such as in the console or the glove box offer a way to control excess wiring as well as the security mentioned earlier. But maybe it's become time for our cars and trucks to have their own private Wi-Fi system so the wires are only needed for charging, hmmm?

@Miath
Good one. Jack!

Ford pickup is like a older woman just have a face lift evry year but the rest is older and fragile...:)

Posted by: Miath | Sep 11, 2013 7:02:31 AM

Well said. As they say it is hard to polish a turd!

On the sub-topic of shifters (Console/column/rotary) the console shifter tends to offer better accuracy of manual gear finding when you choose to seek a lower gear for pulling, etc. Yes, I do know that the automatic can do it for itself, but the automatic also has a tendency to 'hunt' under certain circumstances or up-shift at just the wrong moment, killing your momentum. I'm fairly sure we have all manually selected a lower at one time or another.

As I said, the console shifter offers the most accuracy as it's a simple push/pull motion on the shifter compared to the pull-up/down motion of the column shifter which even with the 'notches' allows you to overshoot your gear very easily.

On the other hand, the dial shifters that are starting to become common on trucks take up the least space of all and become the easiest to use in most circumstances. However, if you have to manually select a gear on that, you're even more unstable than the column shifter on rough roads, where your arm moves around with the bumps, making it harder to even grab the control without pretty much shoving your fist against the dash for stability.

So what is best? None of them? All of them? It seems to me the console shifter is the best for control PLUS offering a sense of fun to some drivers as it gives the impression of a manual, "four-on-the-floor" transmission. This style started back in the late '60s/early '70s (maybe sooner, but that's when I got my first floor shifter) because it offered that manual transmission look. It let you feel sporty without the everyday hassles of manual shifting at every light and stop sign. In some ways I'm actually surprised it took so long for them to show up as nearly standard in trucks.

Five USB ports but not even one cigerette lighter comes with the truck, what a waste.