RAM

The world of full-sized pickup trucks, which are the best-selling vehicles in North America, has become very interesting. These once purely utilitarian vehicles have become much more, and nothing highlights their growing popularity quite as well as the booming after-manufacture add-on market.

Winnebago has launched the new Solis camper van, a versatile all-season adventure-chaser for everyone from weekend warriors to full-time van lifers.

After covering a convincing little Toyota Sienna minivan camper, we figured someone out there must be creating gas-electric mini-campervans built on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. We found one in the Illusion Hybrid from 5 Mars, a playful but efficient camper van optimized for long-mileage tours.

​Ram Truck unveiled new chassis cab heavy-duty work truck models at the Chicago Auto Show in February. With towing maxing at over 35,000 pounds, it’s clear that something is happening with these trucks. We’ve had a chance to get more up close and learned that the secret is in chassis engineering.

Ram Truck has unveiled a new multifunction tailgate for the Ram 1500 pickup truck that directly takes on the MultiPro tailgate from GMC. The multifunction tailgate from Ram opens downward, splits to open to either side, and can be used while a trailer is attached.

​After unveiling the new 2019 Ram 1500 half-ton truck at the Detroit show last year, Ram returned this year with the heavy duty versions of that truck, the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 models. Both include a Cummins diesel option with an unprecedented 1,000 foot pounds of torque.​

The Carado Vlow isn't available in North America, but the American-market Hymer Aktiv 2.0 Loft Edition sleeps four to five people in a very different layout. It treats the whole family right with dual lounges, a power sofa and an entertainment system.

Providing future van lifers with a simple, affordable way to start traveling, Cascade Campers has developed an impressive conversion for the Ram Promaster City. Its $7K mini-camper conversion creates a living space for two with double bed, kitchen and solar-backed off-grid electrical system.

The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck lineup includes an option for an upgraded infotainment interface. This upgrade moves from the already very well-done 8.4-inch Uconnect-based system to a new 12-inch Uconnect system with tablet-like functionality and an innovative split-screen sensibility.

We've seen a slew of European camper vans lately, so it's about time we look at an all-new Class B motorhome from North America. One such camper van hitting American roads, the Tofino from Canada's Pleasure-Way, is a compact powerhouse with lithium battery bank and focus on electric appliances.

The 2019 Ram 1500 has been completely revamped as a new generation of the pickup truck. Core expectations from the Ram line continue forward, but a new mild hybrid system and better efficiency and capability have been added. We spent a week in the Rebel off-road model and learned a few things.

There are pickups that do work, errands and daily driving. Then there are pickups that you only roll out of the garage when it's time to get loud and dirty. American Expedition Vehicles has developed the new Recruit Ram 1500 to be a bit of both.