by New Ram 1500 Rumble Bee 2027: No Protective Splitter Covers
The new 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee pickup will not feature shipping protective covers on the front splitter. This decision by the company is linked to a strange trend among owners of previous Dodge models.
Why Did Ram Abandon Protective Covers?
During yesterday’s press presentation, exterior design chief Mark Trostle stated that the company decided to abandon these covers on its high-performance pickups. This is not surprising, as the Rumble Bee 392 Track Pack and SRT have a ground clearance of 8.1 inches (206 mm) and an approach angle of 16.6 degrees.
While we wouldn’t recommend taking them to Moab, owners shouldn’t worry about the splitter being damaged during transport or city driving.
Trostle hinted at questionable life choices by owners of the Dodge Charger and Challenger. Owners of high-performance versions often left the shipping covers on their cars, spoiling both the appearance and the paint.
The Story of Dodge’s Covers
As Car & Driver noted six years ago, Dodge began using shipping covers starting with the 2015 model year. Initially, they were bright yellow and intended to be removed by dealers before delivering the car to the customer. However, some dealers did not do this, and it became common to see Chargers and Challengers driving around with the plastic protectors still attached.
To stop this practice, the company later replaced the trendy yellow covers with bright pink ones. This seemed to help reduce the prevalence of the phenomenon, but people still sell old yellow covers on eBay for around $50 per set. There is even a secondary market for such components.
Thus, Ram decided simply not to give owners the temptation to leave these covers on the new Rumble Bee, as they not only spoil the appearance but can also damage the paint. Given the high ground clearance and approach angles, the risk of damaging the splitter during normal use is minimal, so the need for such covers has disappeared. This decision also underscores the company’s commitment to a more aesthetic and thoughtful design for its high-performance models, avoiding the questionable trends of the past.
