http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/13/toyota-overtakes-dodge-as-third-best-selling-truckmaker-in-u-s/

well the new ram looks like a nice truck and has nice options. the toolboxes inside the bed is a good idea and saves a lot of space. the ram is also much nicer than a tundra too.

It did say the Tundra fell 30%, but said the tacoma is what got it into 3rd.

you also gotta look at what dodge did with the new ram, took out the rear leaf springs for a 4 link system, better for travel but not so good for load capacity...just my opinion

yea leaf springs are much better at loads then coils. That surprises me they did that though.

Loads, and towing, and apparently handing too ..

The Ram's new suspension has failed. In every test, it has not done well in every field except ride comfort. I'll give it 2 years before they go back to leafs. It wouldn't surprise me if they were developing a Ram with leafs as we speak, seeing that the coils just can't compete in any respect.

It's a Grandpa truck!! lol .. I love the new Ram, but after reading all of the tests and comparisons, I think overall, Dodge made a huuuge mistake going to coils in the back.

Remember back .. Dodge said that handling and payload would be much improved with the new coils. As it turns out, they were wrong! I think that's the biggest problem. I remember at the auto show last year, the guy with the mic said the new Ram would have unsurpassed payload.

But hey .. I like them for trying something new. It's a good idea, and in theory, their idea was superior. But they didn't do it right, apparently.

Well they weren't counting on the F-150 having such great leafs with outboard shocks.

They should have!! What did they think, that Ford wasn't going to make their truck the best? I mean, Dodge should have been aiming really high here. Everybody knew the new F150 was going to rewrite the rules again .. they've been doing it for years.

I think it was a big mistake to use coils. But one thing I like about the new Ram is the frame is hydroformed, similar to the F150s. However, the frame is still subpar.

By they way .. why does the SD still not have out-board shocks? If Ford put them on the F150, why would they put them on the SD as well?

The Ram was designed to be a personal truck like most half tons are bought for. How were they to know that just as it debuted the personal truck market would collapse?

The SD doesn't need outboard mounted shocks. It's suspension design is as old as... Well, the 1966 Bronco had a very similar setup, just on a smaller scale...

i think GM offered pickups with coil springs back in the 60s. my grandpa told me those trucks couldn't haul worth a damn.

I wonder what they were thinking putting coil overs on it. That in itself would be a turn off for me if I was in the market for a half ton.

Especially when not one of Dodges claims hold true. They said it would have superior handling, payload, and ride quality. Well, every comparo I've read has the F150 besting it in all 3 areas. If they could have maintained payload while drastically improving handling, it would be a success in my opinion. But they lost payload, towing, and handling .. for what? A smoother ride? It's a truck ..

You know what Ford did to get a smoother ride? Wider and longer springs and better shocks. Also, in doing that, it improved payload and handling under a load. That is a success.

I was a big fan of the idea that Dodge had for the Ram, but they just couldn't follow through.

man alot of ford nuthuggers on these forums.....look they tried something new, it didnt work, move on.
The inside of the new F150 makes me puke and thats how most f150 designs have been, always felt cheap and not very well made. The new tundra interior is about the same as an esclade in my opinion, very comfortable, and lots of leg room. The dodge interior feels a bit cheap, but comfortable. Now tow wise i use to say the dodge has been my favorite. Towing a race truck that wieghs almost 5000lbs plus trailer takes a good truck. So far what i have found, is that the 5.4 F150 struggled alot. The tundra struggled almost as much as the F150 which isnt very impressive due to the fact is has one of the most powerful engines in its class. The 07 Dodge Ram with the hemi, did the best in all the towing we have done so far and will be for a while. I have done countless road tests and load tests with the new ram and havent been impressed at all. The new F150 just doesnt do it for me in performance, looks, or comfort. The new tundra needs some serious work in the towing department before i would ever consider buying one....Thats all just my own opinon based on my actual experience driving,a nd utilizing these vehicles.

You seem to be a bit uninformed about trucks, and quite biased .. very biased, actually. I was okay with Dodge trying something new. My problem is they said it would improve payload and handling. A lot of people got excited about that, but the fact of the matter is, payload and handling went way down. That's a biiig let down.

Polls, statistics, and interviews all say that the F150's interior is made of the most quality. Looks is all relative. I personally think it looks great, as does the Ram. But I don't know how anybody could say the F150's interior is not well made. You're probably the first person I've ever heard say that. That's just a joke dude. And you say the Tundra has lots of leg room? Hmm .. i guess you've never really been in an F150 because it has more, actually. The Tundra has been often criticized for how uncomfortable it is. I though it felt good for the most part, my biggest complaint is the radio and climate controls are wayyy too far way .. about 5 inches further than any other truck. Terrible ergonomics.

When it comes to towing, the F150 is superior .. that's a fact. Pickuptrucks.com did a very thorough the with all of the new trucks, and on an up-hill climb with a loaded trailer, the F150 was the ONLY truck to GAIN momentum. That, when it comes to towing, is everything. Why was it the only one? Because Ford simply engineered the best 6-speed tranny. It kept the engine revs high, thus leading to it's superior towing abilities. It certainly didn't score best in towing bvecause it was all based on acceleration under a load. Last time I checked, guys that tow don't typically have their foot mashed in the pedal very often .. it's not safe. GCWR and max payload was never factored in, which Ford takes in both. Oh .. and it also achieved the highest overall fuel economy.

Instead of speaking from your personal bias, go here http://It certainly didn't score best in towing bvecause it was all based on acceleration under a load. Last time I checked, guys that tow don't typically have their foot mashed in the pedal very often .. it's not safe. GCWR and max payload was never factored in, which Ford takes in both.and read the most comprehensive and thorough comparison ever done in the full-size truck segment. You obviously haven't read it before, otherwise you wouldn't have said anything in your previous post. While their scoring system was weighted properly in all categories, they picked the winner in their words, rather than their numbers, and it was very clear.

A lot of ford nuthuggers on here because we know which truck is the best, and put personal bias aside when it comes to overall performance. The only place where the F150 lacks is in acceleration, and we're only talking about a second or two to 60.. wow. Trailer-sway control, rear dif & traction, load-flat rear cargo floor, bed-side step, tranny, and other innovations make it the best truck ... period. That's why is was MT Truck of the year, North American truck of the year, and best selling vehicle for 26 years running. The public doesn't lie. As a truck, you simply can't beat the F150.

Andrew knows trucks, but he does definitely like his Toyotas. From my direct comparisons between the GM, Ford, and Dodge half tons at the last autoshow, the Ram was absolutely abysmal. The F-150 felt like it had slightly higher quality materials than the GM, but they both had good fit and finish. We differ in that the interior of the Tundra makes me want to throw up every time I see it... as does the exterior, but that's all just styling preference. I don't know how anyone could feel like the F150 doesn't have enough room, the interior is cavernous even with a center console. I can't imagine how huge it would feel with a front bench.