Is the Dodge Ram's Mega Cab too much?
How much is too much?
In the U.S. Full-Size pickup truck market, bigger is usually better. But maybe there is a limit.
The staff here at VehicleVoice and AutoPacific recently drove the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab. Nice vehicle in many, many respects. Appropriate exterior and interior appearance for a Ram. Performance with the Hemi engine was very good. Even the ride and handling were surprisingly good for a 4x4. Great features, including the excellent navigation system.
On the downside, at today's fuel prices, 11 mpg means limited appeal. A 30 gallon re-load sets you back about $100 at current California gas prices. And the step up into the cab is really a challenge, at least without a running board or side step. I really like a 4-door cab - with forward hinged rear doors that can be opened independently. Much easier to use than typical rear-hinged access (suicide) doors.
That Mega Cab really is huge. Said to have more rear passenger room than a long wheelbase Maybach! And I believe it. The question is, does anyone other than an NBA player need that big a rear compartment? For my money the Quad Cab is just about big enough, and traditional Crew Cabs are plenty big. I'd rather have more bed length than a Mega-sized cab. Time will tell what the market says.
So why did Dodge take this route? Probably to limit expendidures by using the existing Quad Cab/long bed chassis. More financially efficient for sure, but may result in more cab and less bed than many buyers would prefer.
Editor's Note: Jim Hossack is a card-carrying pickup owner/driver. He has three pickups plus a Jeep Wrangler and NO CARS. Two of his pickups are 3/4 tons and one of these 3/4 tonners is diesel powered with a Banks kit upgrade to the turbo. Uses that one to tow a travel trailer and horse trailers. So, Jim knows what he is talking about when it comes to pickups.
