RAM 1500 Ramcharger - Blueprint for Scout

[dleepnw]

This could be the blueprint for the Scout Harvester. Very interesting watch. If Alex's guesstimate is right, its going to be a bear to charge the Ramcharger (no DCFC). Scout is going to be able to learn from how RAM executes on their EREV.

 

[Ajangel]

I saw that yesterday and there's a couple of things I questioned.
Does the gas thank need to be 27Gal?
And the exhaust system goes all the way to the back taking a lot of space.
What if they reduce the size of the gas thank, shorten the exhaust system and increase the battery pack? And the one thing I personally dislike is the lack of frunk, but using the generator as a starter was pretty smart.
The biggest thing and the one I'm still struggling to understand is why the RAM still hold the towing capability but the Scout’s is cut by half.

 

[Deuce]

I put a deposit on this when it came out too, but I really like the Scout concept so much more. Plus .........Stellantis is a huge red flag. I'll be watching it though, especially the final price, and keeping my options open.

 

[colinnwn]

I was rather surprised by the big towing payload reduction of the Harvester too. Hadn't heard that until Jay Leno podcast. But 5k is still plenty for me.

The Harvester sits near the the rear axle and is probably heavier than the equivalent battery, so I guess being modularized and an after the fact addition, it changed the SAE J2807 towing test criteria, and would be a big redesign to resolve.

The RamCharger was developed as a series hybrid first (not EV first like the Scout) 'no compromises' design for full capability including towing heavy loads long distances. That can be seen in how they chose a huge 3.6 L engine. In that perspective the big gas tank makes sense and they can maneuver weight and suspension stiffness and other design criteria so the towing is still class leading.

 

[coolbeans]

I saw that yesterday and there's a couple of things I questioned.
Does the gas thank need to be 27Gal?
And the exhaust system goes all the way to the back taking a lot of space.
What if they reduce the size of the gas thank, shorten the exhaust system and increase the battery pack? And the one thing I personally dislike is the lack of frunk, but using the generator as a starter was pretty smart.
The biggest thing and the one I'm still struggling to understand is why the RAM still hold the towing capability but the Scout’s is cut by half.

Scout stated with a clean design that was ev first and hybrid second
Ramcharger is what happens when you start with a gas truck and convert it to a erev.

Scout is using a 2.0l engine
Ram is 3.6l engine
The limiting factor seems to be how much power you can put out at max load. 180 vs 280
I'm also guessing since this is really the only difference

 

[Forrest]

I like what Dodge is doing with this truck. That said, at this point, I'm sticking with the Terra Harvester. Here are a few reasons why.

- 800 volt system
- Aesthetics and interior design
- Zonal architecture (not sure if Dodge will have something like this or not TBH)
- Frunk
- Offroad capability
- Scout Motors is from the outset focused on the BEV and EREV, and I suspect the customer experience will be much more Tesla like in nature (this is probably my biggest reason).

What could change my mind? Well, I don't do any towing so I don't care about that, but I can see that being a big deal to many. At this point, it's the details that come out over the next couple years as Scout pulls the sheets back little by little, that could change my mind. I'm hoping for 90% good news, but some of what we learn is bound to be disappointing to some, so it's really the unknown at this point.

 

[mcnels1]

According to Green Car Journal the Ramcharger will DC fast charge at up to 175 kW.

It sounds like the Ramcharger will arbitrarily limit how much you can charge the battery with the generator, with the "E-Save" mode letting you sustain the current charge level of up to 50%. I hope the Scout Harvester will be more flexible, letting me set a desired charge level that is higher (or lower) than the current charge level.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

We were treated so horribly by these people, our friends that worked for them have horror stories,, we'll never touch any product associated with them.
If they fold they asked for it, they have it coming.

 

[Mousehunter]

My biggest 2 problems with the Ram Charger are not things Dodge will probably address. One, I seriously doubt it will come in at a competitive price point. 2 - I would have to deal with a Dodge dealership, and life is too short for me to continue to give them the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, but of all the dealerships I have ever dealt with, every Dodge dealerships has been trying it's hardest to be the worst. 3 strikes and they are OUT.

 

[Latrant]

We were treated so horribly by these people, our friends that worked for them have horror stories,, we'll never touch any product associated with them.
If they fold they asked for it, they have it coming.

I take it you mean RAM/Stellantis/a Dealership?

 

[AtomicPunk]

I also have a deposit on a Ramcharger order slot. The initial range estimates were and are good for how i drive. However, now seeing 27 gallons of gas acting as a generator only, affords me only 690 miles of range, my initial excitement is tempered. Currently I can drive over 900 miles on 33 gallons of diesel, so no money saved there. Yes, the horsepower and quickness would be night and day, but neither is a priority for what I want in a pickup. Plus I'm sure this will be another $100k truck that will still not provide the benefits I want most. Not to mention spotty Ram quality.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

I take it you mean RAM/Stellantis/a Dealership?

Jeep - Ram the whole operation.
If the poor design and quality didn't take us down, the bad dealership service depts did, or all three finished us off.
Jeep dealers out here date back to selling Ramblers who were notorious shysters.

Ain't getting bit by that dog ever again.

 

[Mousehunter]

While I have a very hard time thinking I would ever drive a Dodge again - I have to say I am warming up to the Charger as an idea. Perhaps it is not ready for prime time, but...

The Ram Charger is not "enough". But a 3/4 ton (or 1 ton) towing machine with a good onboard generator could someday fit my towing needs, eventually something like that could be a substitute for my 3/4 ton diesel.

Of course, I would want it as a flatbed... A "light duty" commercial chassis could have use in many industries. I just watched a Winnebago EV commercial. Sure it looked nice, and since they did not include any data - one can imagine it will perform. But ultimately, my dream over landing vehicle is still a truck with a flatbed and a UTE cap. But honestly, an EV truck with a generator would be still better.

In a way, it is almost the Scout idea - a 7 day vehicle. A work truck during the week - and with the UTE Cap, a perfect weekend camping vehicle. I do like the idea that it could be a usable work chassis - so many different boxes could be put on for those who need commercial vehicles.

Perhaps, as battery tech improves and if battery prices improve - Scout might eventually upscale the Terra-into something more. At least it would not be a Dodge...