Off road testing for the 2013 Ram 1500

Two pickups were used on the off road course: a gray 2013 Ram 1550 quad cab SLT 4x4 equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic and a black cew cab SLT 4x4 equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic.

Staggered "rollers" compried the first part of the course, testing the suspension, steering and handling of the two 2013 Ram 1500 models.

The second part of the course put the trucks down in a deep pit, which then required some 4x4 action on the exit ramp.

Traction proved hard to come by at the top of the exit ramp from the pit.

Once clear of the pit, rollers and speed bumps again tested the suspension.

The view of the off road course from the cab made it seem innocuous, though the course proved far from it.

Staggered berms tested the 2013 Ram 1500's manuverability in tight spaces.

A right sweep to the final straightaway passed a barn home to several horses; equines completely unfazed by all the pickups roaring by.

A three log roller stack offered the final obstacle for the 2013 Ram 1500.