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2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Ram 3500 Regular Cab

Overview

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2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

In the world of heavy-duty pickups, the 2012 Ram 2500/3500 HD reigns supreme. Powered by a monstrous 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine, the 2012 Ram HD pickup outguns the Chevy Silverado HD Duramax in torque, and equals that of the Ford PowerStroke. With 350 horsepower and an astounding 800 lb-ft of torque and a tow rating up to 22,750 pounds, there isn't much a Ram HD truck can't move. Those not requiring such Herculean power can opt to go with the Ram HD's standard gasoline Hemi V8, which makes an equally impressive 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. With stats like these, plus pricing and trim levels on par with its principle competition, the 2012 Ram 2500/3500 HD pickup should continue to help pull more of the lucrative truck market back into the Ram fold.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you need to pull 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 pounds behind you, the PeterBilt-like towing power of the 2012 Ram HD pickup should do the trick.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Dollar-for-dollar, the Ram is every bit the equal of its Ford and Chevy counterparts. About the only reason we can think of not to go with the Ram would be due to a personal preference for one brand over another.

How It Ranks

#36

out of 60

Horsepower

#55

out of 55

Consumer Ratings

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Consumer Rating

7.6 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Ram HD pickup gains a new 6-speed automatic transmission on Hemi powered trucks, plus a new longer RamBox cargo organizer to fit 6-foot 4-inch beds. The Ram Power Wagon model range is expanded to include ST and Laramie trims.

Driving the 3500 Regular Cab

2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions In between delighting at the 2012 Ram Power Wagon pickup truck's seemingly limitless ability to pull big things, and pushing it over tough off-road regiments, we decided to see how...

the Ram HD would stack up against the competition. In a back-to-back comparison with the Chevy Silverado HD pickup, most of our testers concluded that the 2012 Ram Power Wagon is more visually appealing than the Chevy. We were also quite amazed at how much better the 2012 Ram HD pickup performed in everyday driving, especially in the areas of ride comfort, refinement and interior noise levels. Though it lacks the softer coil-spring suspension found on the Ram 1500 pickups, the HD truck's carefully-tuned leaf springs, coupled with fluid-filled hydro mounts beneath the cab, help keep harsh vibrations from entering the cab.

Favorite Features

Ride Comfort
If bouncing around the farm in your Daddy's 1972 Dodge pickup formed your opinion about how trucks should behave, you owe it to yourself to experience the smooth, comfortable ride afforded by the 2012 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks.

Power Wagon
The 2012 Ram Power Wagon is an off-road beast. It's a Hemi-powered 2500 Crew Cab with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic-disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch tires, skid plates, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a 12,000-pound winch.

2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Details

2012 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Inside the 2012 Ram Heavy Duty pickups is a very un-workman-like interior. Even base trims feel a bit upscale, and upscale trims feel downright plush. Along with its roomy cab, comfortable seats and loads of storage bins and power outlets, the 2012 Ram Heavy Duty pickup offers an amazing array of available features, including heating elements for the steering wheel and rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable foot pedals – the list goes on and on. A massive center console is long and deep enough to swallow a larger laptop or multiple tablets; it can even hold a set of hanging files. Reclining rear seats are one of the perks to be had with the Mega Cab, while Crew Cab owners enjoy convenient under-floor storage compartments.

Exterior

Available in Regular, Crew and Mega Cab styles, there is a 2012 Ram Heavy Duty pickup to fit just about any need. Bed lengths vary between 6-feet, 4-inches and 8 feet, depending on cab style, while the rear-axle configuration can be had with choice of the standard 2-wheel or heavy duty 4-wheel dually setup. Visually separating the Ram 2500/3500 HD trucks from the basic Ram 1500 truck is a larger grille (needed to get more air to the Cummins diesel), a taller hood with stamped louvers, and large chrome or black bumpers.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Standard feature highlights on a base-priced 2012 Ram Heavy Duty ST include air conditioning, tilt steering, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, plus front and side-curtain airbags. More basic features include manual windows/locks/mirrors, vinyl seats and black vinyl flooring.

Optional Equipment

The 2012 Ram HD is as tech-savvy as it is tough, with an options list that includes navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Sirius Backseat TV (offering Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network) , USB music connectivity, 30-gigabyte hard drive, 10-speaker Surround Sound, backup sensors and a backup camera (for easier trailer hook-ups). The 2012 Ram HD also offers an integrated trailer-brake as standard equipment on SLT, Outdoorsman, Laramie and Power Wagon.

Under the Hood

About 90 percent of Ram HD buyers choose the Cummins Turbo Diesel, which is standard on the 3500, is offered with a choice of 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions and includes the segment's only standard exhaust brake (we didn't get to properly evaluate the braking and stability advantages of the exhaust brake, but it sounded great). The new High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel does not require diesel exhaust fluid and, although horsepower remains unchanged, delivers up to 40 more horsepower at cruising speeds than the previous Cummins engine. The lineup also includes two 4x4 transfer cases (a manual unit standard on 4X4 ST and Power Wagon, an electric unit on all others) and four available axle ratios: 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56. For those who prefer a gasoline engine, Ram offers the 5.7-liter Hemi backed by a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

5.7-liter Hemi V8
383 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
400 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm

6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel
350 horsepower @ 3,000 rpm
800 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
650 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm (manual)

Pricing Notes

The 2012 Ram HD starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) beginning around $29,000 and climbs all the way to around $60,000 when fully loaded. As the Ram HD trucks are a hot commodity, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to get an idea of what others in your area paid for their trucks. As for resale, the Ram 2500 trucks hold slightly lower values than their Ford and Chevrolet counterparts, but the 3500 models are more than capable of holding their own against similarly-equipped F-350 and Silverado 3500 models.

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2012 Ram 3500 Trucks Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.6

Out of 10

Based on 8 Ratings for the 2011 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

7.8/10

Quality

7.6/10
Reliability

8.4/10

Performance

7.6/10
Comfort

7.4/10

Styling

8.2/10

Worse truck ever!

By JABCattle (TX) on Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Cheap"

Cons: "Everything"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"First dodge I have ever owned and will be the last! Been in the shop over a dozen times in 2 years. Does not hold up to ranch work. Ford will out pull it any day."

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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I am retired gm employee

By robert4600 (TX) on Friday, May 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,200

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Love driving the truck with lots of extras !"

Cons: "We didnt buy one sooner!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I pull my 40' fifth wheel trailer and toyota on tow dolly with this truck and we are totally satisfied with the power and comfort of this truck.We have had several duramax 3500 and always having injector problems and low power in the high wind and hills.The ram eliminates those frustrations and costly repair bills!!! WAY TO GO TOO THE DODGE RAM PEOPLE!!!!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Much better than the previous 3rd Gen trucks

By Big D (CA) on Monday, March 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Cons: "dpf and egr systems. tranny/convertor"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Although I liked the body style of the 3rd Gen's (having sold an 07 5.9) a little more than the 4th gen version, the interior is night and day better on the new trucks. I'm still not sold on the 6.7 although my truck is deleted and gets decent mileage. The power and reliability of the 5.9 is still yet to be matched by a 6.7. I do like the 6 spd auto that the 6.7's have, but they are still the weak link in the truck"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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First Dually, very nice

By MBY (AR) on Thursday, August 23, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "It's a beast"

Cons: "As always - playing games with the dealer."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"An ST with upgrades. Dually, Crew cab, 4x4, Cummins, Auto. It pulls my 35' 5th wheel (and boat) with ease and stability. Took a bit of getting used to backing the boat down the ramp with a dually. Does good around town, still working on parking spaces. Really shines taking the family anywhere or picking up the kids after practice. The crew cab is huge and comfortable. First diesel, had a V-10 F250 Superduty. I am happy so far, so is the family."

12 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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Great vehicle!!

By Harleyjoe1970 (CA) on Wednesday, June 06, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "User friendly, easy to drive."

Cons: "my only con is buying the other 2 hd's"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Hello, I have owned all three of these HD monsters, Ford, Chevrolet, and now a Dodge. I like this truck the most, the user friendly Navi to the Reclining back seat, there is no comparison. In March 2011 I bought a new Ford HD that had 6500 miles on it when it got the Ford Death Wobble, I wasted no time getting rid of it, went from towing a tractor to sitting on the Chevrolet lot in less than two hours. I traded it in on the 2011 Chevrolet 3500 HD in September of 2011, great truck until I got 300 miles on it; it blew the first turbo at that point. The navi system thought the truck was still in Michigan and showed me driving through the great lakes. I assured onstar we were actually in Northern California; they still have not made the system work correctly in 6 months. The truck has blown two turbo's a rear differential and an oil pump. It is being repurchased atm. So I needed a new truck, so I went on a whim to the dodge dealer here, and found this truck. All I can say is the interior is softer than my horse saddle; the cab is so quiet compared to the other two trucks. There is plenty of power, there is no break in required with a Cummins unlike Chevy and Ford. The cab is so spacious you can get lost in it. The dashboard is absolutely gorgeous. The stereo system needs no upgrades. The Uconnect works every time unlike the Chevrolet system or the Ford who has a speech impediment. It is totally hands free. The fuel mileage has been around 12 to 18.5 mpg. The ride is like a truck yet soft enough to smoothe out the bumps when going out with the wife and family. The entertainment center is light years ahead of Chevrolet. The truck legs out the long hauls with a 14k trailer behind it. I had a Dodge back in 1996, it was a V-10 that was a lemon in five months, it blew five motors in that short period of time. I swore off Dodge after that, until I drove this truck off the lot on a test drive. All HD trucks have their issues, but this one is my favorite truck. I keep them for 7 years and always trade up; this one might be a lifer."

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

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Best work truck with more options ever

By ben (SC) on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 36,600

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've had the truck about 15 months have 36k miles on it and has given no major probs pulls what ever i pull behind it great the only thing i wish was better was the fuel economy. About $800 worth of upgrades and i can fix that and go from 15mpg to about 21."

7 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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