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Jul 26, 2023

Video: Pushing the 2023 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 Rebel G/T to the Limit on the World's Toughest Towing Test

It's focused toward off-road buyers, but how well does this truck handle towing

It's focused toward off-road buyers, but how well does this truck handle towing duty?

It's a new week, and that means we have another run up the iconic Ike Gauntlet, the World's Toughest Towing Test. While we’ve ran both the Ford F-150 Raptor R and the GMC Hummer EV up the 8-mile grade over the past couple weeks, let's take a look at one of Ram's offerings. This time, Andre and Mr. Truck are testing out the altogether more affordable Ram Rebel G/T — a V8-powered off-road truck that brings some performance and quality-of-life upgrades — without running you over $100,000 like either of those two super trucks, or indeed Ram's own TRX.

Since we’re talking about the Ram 1500 Rebel here, you still get the same off-road kit that you do with the standard truck. That includes an electric rear locking differential, 3.92 rear axle ratio, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires on 18-inch wheels and a standard Class IV receiver hitch.

Now, if you do aim for the G/T package, there are a few caveats to consider. It's only available with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque, putting out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. It also includes the Rebel Level 2 Equipment Group, which upgrades to the 12-inch infotainment system among a plethora of other tech and comfort features.

The $2,995 G/T Package, for its part, keeps the upgrades flowing with a cold air intake, updated exhaust, leather interior, ventilated front seats and Ram's Performance Pages (akin to what you’d get on a TRX, minus the supercharged engine). By the time you include the mandatory extras to get the G/T Package, though, expect to spend about an extra $10,485 over the standard V6 Rebel 4×4.

Even with the off-road upgrades, though, it still does have an 11,210-pound towing capacity. See how well it performs on the downhill and uphill sections of the Ike Gauntlet in the video below!