If at first you don’t succeed…

[bborzell]

When Ford opened preorders for its electric F150, I jumped in and put down a deposit. I was ready to add an electric truck to our VW ID.4 EV. which has been a pure delight to own.

Then came the first report of a Lightening tow test where a 2,000 lb small trailer brought the Ford to its knees after less than 100 miles of towing. Soon, it became established that towing pretty much any travel trailer with any electric truck was pretty much guaranteed to cut whatever unladen range figures it boasted in half.

At best, trucks that later on announced projected ranges of 500 miles were still limited to tow trips of 250 miles. Maybe OK for some who plan on traveling through states with a reasonably robust EV charging network, but we like to get away from urban settings when we camp and rural and remote do not yet translate to electrified.

So, when the RAM Ramcharger 1500 truck was announced with twin electric motors, a Pentastar V6 engine that does nothing other than drive a rather large capacity generator that charges the truck’s batteries which power the electric motors to the tune of massive tow power and payload along with a battery only range of 145 miles and a total range of 690 miles, I placed a preorder for one. Color yet to be determined.

Oh, and it has a 145 Kwh fast charge plug in capacity.

[Fletch Dobbs]

Now that sounds interesting! I'll be checking out the specs for that truck...

[Centex]

I can certainly understand your enthusiasm and no-risk deposit to get in the queue for the Ramcharger - IMO all indications are that its E-REV architecture will address many of the shortcomings you mention with regard to the Lightning and other PEV trucks. IMO it also seems to offer some benefits over current HEV trucks (e.g. Ford's PowerBoost). From what has been shown to date, IMO it promises to be a very attractive vehicle for many trailer-towing travelers.

I sincerely and optimistically hope that the Ramcharger's details support your continued enthusiasm and follow-through purchase as it reaches actual production.

Between this and your order of an E23, I applaud your 'early adopter' quest - we need folks like you to foster progress.

[bborzell]

Originally Posted by Centex

I can certainly understand your enthusiasm and no-risk deposit to get in the queue for the Ramcharger - IMO all indications are that its E-REV architecture will address many of the shortcomings you mention with regard to the Lightning and other PEV trucks. IMO it also seems to offer some benefits over current HEV trucks (e.g. Ford's PowerBoost). From what has been shown to date, IMO it promises to be a very attractive vehicle for many trailer-towing travelers.

I sincerely and optimistically hope that the Ramcharger's details support your continued enthusiasm and follow-through purchase as it reaches actual production.

Between this and your order of an E23, I applaud your 'early adopter' quest - we need folks like you to foster progress.

Well, there was BetaMax.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by bborzell

Well, there was BetaMax.

Can't win 'em all

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by bborzell

Well, there was BetaMax.

And then optical discs (DVDs).

[bborzell]

I was too young to get in on the Edsel.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by bborzell

I was too young to get in on the Edsel.

[mresseguie]

Gee, Bob.

Does this mean you'll likely be selling your RAM 1500 Laramie in a year or so?

It's possible I'll still be in the market for a more capable TV than my Prerunner in a year <though I may well buy something in the next month>.

Michael

[bborzell]

Originally Posted by mresseguie

Gee, Bob.

Does this mean you'll likely be selling your RAM 1500 Laramie in a year or so?

It's possible I'll still be in the market for a more capable TV than my Prerunner in a year <though I may well buy something in the next month>.

Michael

Well, Michael…

I think I am detecting a range of uncertainty in your potential proposal.

...Bob

[mresseguie]

Originally Posted by bborzell

Well, Michael…

I think I am detecting a range of uncertainty in your potential proposal.

...Bob

Not at all, Bob. I'm absolutely certain that I'm potentially offering to buy your Laramie if I haven't already purchased a new TV before the time that you decide you want to sell your Laramie.

Michael

[bborzell]

My money is on you driving a new something before I get the electrified ride.

[Keith3]

Do they give you an estimated delivery date when you put down a deposit? Or even an indication on when they may start delivering vehicles?

For all the reasons you centex have mentioned I find this to be a very attractive package, even though I’m more of a Ford guy.

That payload is really attractive since my project trailer is a heavy tongued aluminum beauty from the late sixties. I was thinking of moving to a 250 in my next truck to gain a bit of payload, but this looks like it could be a good option.

[bborzell]

Various time frames have been battered about. Late ‘24 or early ‘25 are the most often cited.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by bborzell

. . . So, when the RAM Ramcharger 1500 truck was announced with twin electric motors, a Pentastar V6 engine that does nothing other than drive a rather large capacity generator that charges the truck’s batteries which power the electric motors to the tune of massive tow power and payload along with a battery only range of 145 miles and a total range of 690 miles, I placed a preorder for one. Color yet to be determined.

Oh, and it has a 145 Kwh fast charge plug in capacity.

Interesting idea: almost a gas-electric car. All you need to do is eliminate the big, heavy battery, and have the V6 drive the generator all the time, which then drives the electric motors—like a diesel-electric locomotive.