Overlanders are a specific breed. We look for very specific non-negotiable features in a truck, and go-fast has never been at the top of the list. We want power, sure, but we also want fuel economy, comfort, a high payload rating, and reliability.
The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT—yes, they brought back the Street and Racing Technology badge for its latest supercharged monster—ticks virtually none of those boxes. That’s not to say it’s not a good truck; it’s just not the right truck for most Overland Journal or Expedition Portal readers.
Let’s start with the good. I can hardly think of another truck I’d want to spend a long road trip in, pavement or dirt. Heated and ventilated seats in the front and rear? Check. Massaging front seats? Check. An air conditioning system that doesn’t quit? Check, check, checkity check.
The tech makes for a nice drive as well. Dual wireless chargers are standard, as is a large infotainment screen running the latest version of Uconnect and a digital gauge cluster. There is a 10-inch head-up display, a crystal clear 360-degree camera, all the driver’s aids you could ever want, and a hands-free, eyes-up driving assist. Plus, the Ram’s coil-spring suspension on all four corners rides extremely well, with less shudder and bounce than a traditional leaf-sprung truck.
You’ve got recovery points in the front and rear, skid plates, 35-inch tires, and Ram even put the air filter in an easily accessible place so it’s a snap to replace—or at least take it out for a good shake.
The problem: it’s just not practical for going long distances without access to plenty of gas stations. There are only so many Rotopax you can attach to your truck without it just being plain silly. The EPA estimates the TRX returns 10 mpg in the city, 14 mpg on the highway, and 12 mpg combined. My first drive was pretty short—more on that in a bit—but on the drive to the airport, I clicked through the menus on the digital gauge cluster, and that particular truck was averaging 9.2 mpg over 300 miles. Yikes. But hey, at least you get a 33-gallon fuel tank!
Terrible fuel economy is the price you pay for a stonking 6.2-liter supercharged V8 pushing out 777 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. And yeah, it’s just as fun as it sounds. This truck will scoot to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 118 mph. Now, I did neither of these metrics on my first drive, but instead got to sample a very short off-road rally course with a few turns, two jumps, and a smattering of whoops.
It was really tough to get a good assessment of all the truck can do, but I can confidently say this monster accelerates quicker than any other truck I’ve been in and stops with a sure-footedness that belies its full-size status. I wish the whoop section was a bit longer, as the three bumps didn’t really give the truck a chance to shine. However, the previous TRX could skip along the whoops at 70 mph for miles, and I expect nothing less from the newest generation, with 13 inches of travel up front and 14 inches of travel in the rear.
If you’re willing to commit, the TRX can land a 100-foot jump better than the Raptor R, thanks to a suspension system that recognizes when all four wheels are off the ground, priming the suspension accordingly. I landed smooth as silk, and the full-time four-wheel-drive system found traction right away, easily speeding through a tight chicane.
Still, these kinds of shenanigans are rare on an overlanding rig. Instead, you want slow-speed control and payload, right? The TRX has a two-speed transfer case with a 2.64 low range, making the crawl ratio just 44:1. There is a driver-selectable rear locker and drive modes that include Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Baja for dirt driving, while Sport, Auto, and Tow take care of pavement duties.
However, it’s the payload rating that might turn off most overlanders. We love our gear, and the TRX can only carry 1,220 pounds of it. Include two full-sized adults, and you’ll likely only be able to carry 900 pounds of rooftop tent, recovery gear, camping stuff, food, and water.
I really like Ram trucks as a whole, and even if the TRX doesn’t fit the overlanding niche, there is a trim out there that does. For 2027, the Warlock with Ram’s 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque gets an available 2kW of onboard power and 1,792 pounds of payload. The V6 gets 21 mpg combined, and while massaging seats aren’t on the table, you still get Ram’s excellent ride quality, a 3.92 rear axle with a locking differential, skid plates where you need them, and 305 ponies with 271 pound-feet of torque.
So you won’t be taking it off any sweet jumps, but the starting price here is $55,660, including $2,795 for destination. Meanwhile, the Ram TRX SRT costs nearly twice as much: $102,790, including destination.
If you want a truck that can actually do work, stick to the lower trims like the Warlock or even the Rebel. Ram’s less-powerful engines are still great, and you’ll get more payload and better gas mileage.
However, if you want an over-the-top truck that is completely impractical for most of your overlanding needs, who am I to tell you to stay away from the 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT? It is gobs of fun, quick as lightning, looks the business, and makes you feel like you’re off-road royalty when behind the wheel. If you can afford the steep price tag, go for it! Just don’t come crying to me when you’ve drained your fifth Rotopax of extra fuel.
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