Orange, California ~ We've done it again! In order to keep up with the growing off-road motorsports industry we plunked down the cashola for a new 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel truck. Known within the motorsports industry as the work horse of all tow rigs and with our extensive knowledge of the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, the checkbook came out and we pulled the trigger on the new 2005 Dodge Ram. We have big plans to turn this machine into the ultimate towing machine over the next year!

So far, this month old truck is set up for installation of the latest high-performance suspension from KORE Performance - Race Inspired Suspensions specifically for the Dodge Ram Truck, ATS Diesel Performance for a full-transmission upgrade and Cummins PacBrake, Diamond Hitch Gooseneck hitch and finally new high performance rubber from Toyo Tires.

Frahm Dodge in Norco, California treated us like kings and there was no car salesman routine here. Frahm's Ryan Oates was the man of the hour as he listened to our own Dodge Ram expertise and then said, "We'll let's get you a new truck!" In all of my years of buying new automobiles this experience at Frahm Dodge in Norco, California was absolutely the BEST! We simply put a number on the table and Frahm Dodge made it happen.

Better yet, the service was unbelievable.

The 2005 Dodge Ram includes nearly every single option available from Dodge. Due to the extensive miles we put on our vehicles traversing the United States and Mexico covering off-road events, we opted for a few options. Hmmmm, maybe a few options is the wrong way to say this....IT'S DAMN PLUM LOADED BABY! Leather, Infinity Sound, Navigation and Seat Warmers are only the beginning. Howabout LoJack Stolen Vehicle System, WolfLiners Spray-in Bedliner and security keys and much more...

First and foremost, the 2005 off-road season will take the Off-Road.com crew to venues throughout the United States and Mexico. In only six weeks, the event schedule begins all over again with the SCORE International Laughlin race held in Laughlin, Nevada. We will be towing the DIRTsports/Off-Road.com trailer throughout the United States to events all year long and so we opted for one of the best towing units produced by American car manufacturers.

The 2005 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel motor produces some 325 horsepower and is ALOT quieter than the off-road Dodge Ram that we've built up to a powerful off-road machine. Our plan is to build up this truck to the ultimate tow rig and so far we have a pretty good start with the options we got on the new Dodge Ram. This truck features the RAM Laramie with what they call the H-Package, which includes A/C with Dual Zone Temperature Controls, Homelink Universal Transceiver, 6-way power driver and passenger seat, In-Dash 6 Disc-CD Player, Steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Infinity Sound System, Electric-Shift Transfer Case 4x4, Sliding rear window with deep-tint glass.

Don't forget that the Laramie comes standard with the J-Package including the Fog Lamps and Light Group, Rear fold-out flat load floor, power adjustable pedals, Satin Silver accents and so much more we can't mention everything.

Our DIRTsports/ORC 40' enclosed race hauler tips the scales at about 10K without a race car inside, however there have been times when its been loaded to the gills. So towing was a big consideration in our choice of vehicles.

It must be said that early on in the decision making process we almost purchased a new Toterhome fitted on a Freightliner chassis, however we ended up deciding to rely upon the Dodge Ram that has yet to fail us in the past 15 years of running Dodge Ram trucks.

This particular Dodge Ram 3500 configured with a longbed and dual rear wheels the maximum manufacturer allowed trailer weight is listed at 16,000 pounds. Well over our intended trailer weight. But as we have related here on ORC, we have been know to really load up our trailers with race trucks, 4-seat prerunners and more.

This new Dodge Ram has the largest brake rotars in the industry!!! Got Brakes?

Probably even more surprising may be our decision to stick with the Chrysler four-speed automatic transmission since we'll be towing non-stop. However, we will rely upon the best aftermarket transmission upgrades in the world with ATS Diesel Performance. We have already scheduled the transmission for an entire upgrade at the ATS Diesel Fest on Febuary 12, 2005.

The 2005 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel boasts 325 horsepower and an incredible 610 lbs-ft-torque. And an added feature for those icy cold mornings is the -20 degree Cold Start Capability without using an engine block heater.

And finally we chose the quad cab four-door configuration as the staff at ORC and Rock On Motorsports continues to grow in order to keep up with the demands of the off-road motorsports industry. The roomy interior allows for four people and provides comfort in the traveling we have planned in 2005.

And so a new adventure begins with a yet to be named vehicle other than its given name, the 2005 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel Truck. Stay tuned!!!