Ram has completely changed the landscape of what people expect from a high-performance pickup truck. We’re not talking about a couple of extra pound-feet of torque or some minor horsepower gains; no, we’re talking about a pickup truck that is so powerful, so menacing, and so domineering that it’s nicknamed the “T-Rex.” Yes, I’m talking about the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, the truck that has created an insane flurry of hype and orders from nearly every Ram TRX dealer across the country. Why? Well, that’s what this article breaks down.
The Ram TRX has already created fear and perspiration across the foreheads of executives from competing truck companies and has managed to win over both fans and critics alike. Well, of course, it would – it’s basically the embodiment of a tyrannosaurus if it were powered by a Hemi V8, drank high-octane fuel for nourishment, and could catch mad air. But enough introductory pleasantries, let’s get right to business and show you the Top 10 reasons why you need a TRX.
#10 – It Sounds Like A Monster
Saying that a vehicle sounds like a monster probably doesn’t sound like a compliment from the outset. I mean, a vehicle sounding monstrous? What does that even mean? Well, for a half-ton pickup nicknamed the “T-Rex” and literally called the TRX, how exactly would you expect it to sound? This thing doesn’t purr, nor does it growl. It roars! It’s obvious, too. If you’ve stumbled across any videos of this truck or even decided to take the plunge and test-drive one for yourself at a Ram TRX dealer, you know there are few vehicles on the market that generate the kind of V8 feedback that you get from listening to the TRX start up. Heck, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about the rumble from that V8 Hemi sending vibrations to everything nearby. It’s pure awesome.
#9 – The TRX Can Tow Up To 8,220 lbs
The Ram 1500 TRX wasn’t designed to be a towing and trailering pickup – there are plenty of Ram trucks that were made to tow tens of thousands of pounds with ease. Yet, due to the impeccable design of the TRX’s frame, its unbridled horsepower, and its massive torque, the TRX is still a viable half-ton pickup for towing and trailering. How crazy is that? A super-truck designed for speed and performance still manages to out-tow various other pickups in its class even while it isn’t even trying to be a tow-centric pickup. You can also stockpile up to 1,350 pounds in the bed. It’s like having a sports car that can tow a Winnebago.
#8 – It Has Launch Control
Boosted launches are usually considered a no-no unless you want to damage your truck. But what if a truck was specifically designed to do boosted launches? Well, that’s exactly what Launch Control is for the Ram 1500 TRX. Do you want to get off the line as if you were competing in a drag race? Well, Launch Control guides you through a boosted launch to get the max out of the Hemi’s torque. It’s the perfect function for those who want to smoke sports cars, roadsters, and tuners at the red light. Just imagine leaving the import rockets at the intersection after you smoke them with a Ram 1500 TRX – I would pay to see the looks on those drivers’ faces.
#7 – It Has 8 Drive Modes
You can conquer every type of terrain with the eight different drive modes available for the TRX. If you want a truck that can ford through water, rock climb, race through sandy deserts, or kick-up dirt on muddy pathways, there is a drive mode specifically designed for that kind of terrain. Heck, there’s even a drive mode for simply going fast! Some of the modes include Sport Mode, Snow Mode, Mud/Sand Mode, Custom Mode, Rock Mode, and Baja Mode. Each mode drastically changes how torque is distributed to the wheels and the shift points on the transmission so that you can build more revs in some cases or negotiate tricky terrain in others. There’s literally a drive mode for every type of driver.
#6 – The Menacing Exterior
The outside of the Ram TRX speaks volumes. From the TRX badging to the 35-inch all-terrain Goodyear Wrangler tires, the TRX makes a visual statement with its domineering stature. A hood-scoop with glaring LEDs matched with a very masculine front fascia makes the Ram TRX instantly stand out as the performance-driven super-truck that it is. Colors that highlight its aerodynamic curves and a grille that’s not only made to look menacing but also provide airflow to the hefty V8 show that this truck is something special. Simply put, not only does the TRX look like a vicious motorized beast ready to rip and tear through the road, but all those vicious looks are actually functional as well.
#5 – The Aggressive Interior
People may not put a lot of stock into the interior of a pickup truck, but for the TRX, the interior was an important aspect of the design because it had to reflect the vehicle’s performance and exterior personality. In a way, there needed to be a cohesive synergy between the exterior and interior aesthetics. You can’t have a menacing exterior and a soft interior. Well, the interior of the Ram TRX is specifically put together to highlight the masculine qualities of the truck’s performance and capabilities. This includes a race-ready black and red livery with available carbon fiber accents and Alcantara suede. If the concept of kicking butt and taking names could be depicted through the inside of a vehicle’s cabin, it would be the interior of the Ram 1500 TRX.
#4 – Mopar Customization
Who doesn’t want to make their truck more personalized? Some vehicles are tailored to be driven a certain way or designed to look a certain way. Some automakers make it where there is little leeway for changing the vehicle once it’s been purchased. But not so with the Ram TRX. With Mopar parts, those looking to own a TRX are actually encouraged to customize and upgrade their truck to fit their needs. Some of these parts include a RamBar with top-mounted off-road lights, rock rails, and a spare tire carrier – perfect for those who want to add some extra weight to the bed for when they’re jumping and leaping their TRX across desert hills and sandy mounds.
#3 – The Bilstein Blackhawk Shocks
The Ram 1500 TRX is beefed up from bumper to brakes. The engineers specifically designed the truck to undergo some of the most punishing conditions you could put a pickup truck through, which is why the suspension was specially designed in collaboration with Bilstein to make use of the Bilstein Blackhawk Shocks. The adaptive suspension helps with tackling inclines, declines, and hills. The engineers optimized the suspension for the TRX’s 23.5-degree departure angle and 30.2-degree approach angle. And with 11.8-inches of ground clearance and active shock absorption, you have one of the most adaptable and durable off-road pickup trucks in the form of the TRX.
#2 – The Exceptional Off-Road Performance
You have a bunch of reasons above why the TRX is definitely worth purchasing, but it needs to be stated in simple terms how incredible this truck is for off-road activity. In fact, the TRX Launch Edition was sold out in less than three hours, despite costing close to $100,000. That’s how convinced people were that the TRX was going to be a game-changer, not just as a pickup but also as an off-road monster, and they were right. There are videos posted all over the internet of the TRX performing seemingly impossible feats. You’ll see hill climbs, rock climbs, dirt track races, and some of the craziest jumps you have ever seen a half-ton pickup perform.
#1 – The Supercharged 6.2-Liter Hemi V8
If you could take the explosiveness of a volcano and the sheer thunderous power of a tornado and strap it down into a metal harness with four wheels and a scalable differential for peak torque efficiency, you would end up with the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 under the hood of the Ram 1500 TRX. This thing is otherworldly when it comes to performance. It’s like having the horsepower of a sports car in the chassis of a heavy-duty truck. In fact, the Ram 1500 TRX has the horsepower and torque you would normally only find in a top-of-the-line muscle car. We’re talking 702 horsepower with 650 pound-feet of torque, which nets you 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 4.5 seconds. Zeus couldn’t throw a lightning bolt faster than the TRX could get off the line.
