RAM Trucks – 7 Fascinating Facts About American Pickup Trucks You Should Know

RAM is one of the most recognizable names in the world of American pickup trucks. Their distinctive design, impressive hauling capabilities, and models built for tough jobs have made these vehicles a permanent part of the American automotive landscape.

But there's much more to RAM's history than meets the eye.

What do these pickup trucks have in common with the U.S. military? Which RAM did the main character of Walker, Texas Ranger drive? Why are the models called 1500, 2500, and 3500? And how did RAM make its way from American highways to NASCAR racetracks?

Here are seven fascinating facts that reveal a different side of RAM Trucks.

Fun Fact #1: The RAM Symbol Dates Back to the 1930s

Before RAM became a standalone brand, its distinctive ram's head symbol was associated with Dodge vehicles.

Its history dates back to 1932, when the ram's head first appeared as a hood ornament on Dodge cars. Over time, the symbol became increasingly associated with the brand's pickup trucks.

Much later, RAM underwent another major transformation. In late 2009, the decision was made to establish RAM as a separate brand focused on pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.

Today's RAM brand therefore has a much longer history than its official establishment as an independent brand might suggest.

Fun Fact #2: The Ancestors of Today's RAM Trucks Served During World War II

The history of American Dodge pickup trucks isn't limited to civilian vehicles.

During World War II, Dodge manufactured vehicles used by the U.S. military. Its four-wheel-drive military vehicles proved themselves in conditions far more demanding than those found on typical American roads.

After the war, this experience also influenced civilian vehicles. One of the best-known examples was the Dodge Power Wagon, introduced to the civilian market after World War II and an important chapter in the history of American utility vehicles.

It's a fascinating part of automotive history, especially for enthusiasts interested in both classic American vehicles and military machines.

Fun Fact #3: A RAM Starred in One of the Biggest Movie Hits of the 1990s

American pickup trucks have been part of the country's culture for decades, so it's no surprise that they regularly appear on the big screen.

One of the most recognizable examples is the Dodge Ram 2500 featured in the 1996 movie Twister.

The pickup accompanied the main characters as they chased powerful tornadoes, becoming one of the movie's most memorable vehicles.

For many automotive enthusiasts, movies and television were among the first places they saw large American pickup trucks in action.

Fun Fact #4: Walker, Texas Ranger Also Drove a RAM

If Twister isn't enough, there's another example that fans of 1990s television will remember particularly well.

The Dodge Ram 1500 appeared in the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, driven by Cordell Walker, played by Chuck Norris.

Texas, an American pickup truck, and one of the most recognizable television heroes of the decade – it's hard to imagine a combination that better captures the spirit of 1990s American automotive culture.

Interestingly, the RAM 1500 remains the core model in the brand's lineup today.

You can also build your own RAM 1500 Truck #24607 in 1:35 scale with our COBI collection.

Fun Fact #5: The Numbers 1500, 2500, and 3500 Don't Refer to Engine Size

RAM 1500, RAM 2500, and RAM 3500 – at first glance, the numbers in their names might seem to indicate engine displacement. In reality, however, they mean something entirely different.

They distinguish between different classes of pickup trucks.

The RAM 1500 belongs to the light-duty category and is a more versatile pickup designed for everyday use. The RAM 2500 and RAM 3500, on the other hand, belong to the Heavy Duty lineup and are built for more demanding tasks, heavier loads, and towing.

You can also see the differences between these models in our collection by displaying the RAM 1500 Truck #24607 and RAM 2500 Truck #24610 side by side.

Fun Fact #6: RAM Has a Racing History, Too

Pickup trucks are usually associated with highways, work sites, or off-road adventures. But RAM also has a history in American motorsports.

Dodge was one of the manufacturers involved in the early years of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the 1990s. A particularly memorable achievement came in 2004, when Bobby Hamilton won the series championship behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram.

The brand later withdrew from competition, but the story eventually came full circle.

In 2026, RAM returned to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in partnership with Kaulig Racing.

That's more than three decades of history connecting Dodge and RAM pickup trucks with one of America's most distinctive forms of motorsport.

Fun Fact #7: More Than 630,000 RAM Pickups Were Sold in the U.S. in a Record Year

The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to RAM's popularity.

In 2019, a total of 633,694 RAM pickup trucks were sold in the United States – the highest annual sales figure for the pickup line in records covering the period since 2005.

That's an average of approximately 1,736 pickup trucks sold every single day throughout the year.

From Classic Pickups to Special-Purpose Vehicles

The history of RAM shows just how many different roles one family of vehicles can fulfill. We wanted to reflect that versatility in our COBI collection, too.

Alongside the classic RAM 1500 Truck #24607 and RAM 2500 Truck #24610, you'll find RAM vehicles designed for entirely different purposes.

The RAM 1500 Police Truck #24608 and RAM 1500 Sheriff Truck #24658 represent law enforcement vehicles. Based on the heavier RAM 3500, we've also created the Fire Truck #24612, Ambulance #24609, Dump Truck #24659, and Wrecker Tow Truck #24611.

All these models are built in 1:35 scale, so you can display them side by side and create a collection showcasing the many faces of American RAM Trucks.