Ram 1500 Ranked No. 1 for Tailgaters
KBB announces its Top 10 Best Tailgating Vehicles of 2012. Taking top honors was the 2012 Ram 1500 pickup truck.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — With football season officially underway, Kelley Blue Book released its 10 Best Tailgating Vehicles of 2012 list. Topping this year’s list is the 2012 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Tailgaters will likely want to bring some grilling gear, and kbb.com recognized the Ram 1500’s full-size bed for being able to haul it all. Of course, tailgaters need plenty of cold beverages to wash down all that BBQ, which is why kbb.com editors noted the truck’s available RamBox Cargo Management System featuring two drainable bins that fit up to 240 cans each. “The Ram 1500 beat out two other pickups at the top of the kbb.com tailgating list because it offers more creative and convenient storage options,” said Tim Parker, who serves as dealer principal for his Host Springs, Ark.-based Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. “It doesn’t matter if you’re heading to the game against Louisiana-Monroe this weekend or The Battle for the Golden Boot in November, Ram’s pickup can accommodate everything you need.” Intuitive storage options continue inside the 2012 Ram 1500, which is available with in-floor bins that can also be filled with ice to keep refreshments and snacks cool during football-fueled road trips. Meanwhile, an optional 506-watt Alpine premium sound system can get Razorback fans pumped up for the game, whether they are en route or already playing cornhole or ladder golf outside the truck. The all-new 2013 Ram 1500 will be available in October. “There are many reasons why the 2013 Ram 1500 will be a game-changer in the pickup market, but the gains that it has made in power and fuel efficiency alone should bring a lot of new buyers over to the brand,” Parker said.
More F&I

Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →