However, slaloms aren't usually a part of real-world driving, and the Ram doesn't come across as a pickup that handles poorly--it just seems to sacrifice more comfort than the others. In a similar vein, the Chevy goes too far the other way, with such soft suspension it cruises down a smooth road nicely, but any bump, corner, or heavy braking sends it "wallowing and wiggling like a worm in distress." The wheels are surprisingly wide and give some sidewall stability, but another tester said it was "like riding a dolphin."
The heavy Ford was competent, with a decent slalom performance and a ride/handling compromise that didn't fade much when the truck was carrying a load. We found the steering matched the others for precision but required more effort, and the terrific directional stability will be welcomed by any long-distance traveler.
The Titan felt like more of its weight was on the front wheels, which stayed planted regardless of what was thrown under them. A 0.5 mph advantage in the slalom is considerable. The exhaust note, firm damping, and good driver feedback all made this the most sporting truck to drive.
But just at its heels and easier to go quickly in was the Tundra. With suspension tuned by desert rats, there's lots of travel to use on undulating roads, and the Tundra makes good time. We've noted before that off-road packages tend to result in the best on-road performance, and the Toyota's is just another example for our citation arsenal.
Appearance wasn't a factor, as that's a purely personal thing, but the 2006 Ram was hard not to notice. While some found the new style "still heavy and masculine, but more sophisticated and elegant," others thought it looked too much like a Dakota.
Other judges' comments: The Toyota is the longest truck but doesn't appear so and feels quite solid despite 16,000 miles on the odometer; the Ford's huge B-pillar is a hindrance to quarter visibility, and the F-150's high bed doesn't allow for easy liftover; the Titan's tow mirrors are clearly the best; and the Ford beats out the Toyota for fit and finish.