Ram Fortifies Full-Size Pickup Portfolio with New BackCountry Package

by Michael Strong

Published: March 16th, 2026

ram fortifies full size pickup portfolio with new backcountry package

Ram specializes in offering variations of its 1500 full-size pickups for different audiences, and is doing it once again with the new 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry model.

The new model sits between the Rebel and Warlock trim levels, and while improving the off-road capability of its Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab. The package features a one-inch suspension lift with heavy-duty shocks, new skid plates, front tow hooks, a rear electronic locking differential, Selec-Speed off-road cruise control and 32-inch off-road tires.

“The off‑road segment has been growing for a while now and Ram has been leading that charge with Warlock, Rebel, RHO and TRX,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance, NA Marketing and Retail Strategy, in a release. “BackCountry is another option from Ram for customers looking to get into this growing part of the market without breaking the bank.”

Since Ram is the master of multiple powertrains, the Big Horn model comes with two engine options: a 3.0-liter twin turbo inline-6 or the crowd-favorite 5.7-liter Hemi V8.

It also gets a bit of “show” to match the “go” with special sports body-color accents as well as a grill surround. The BackCountry features black-painted lower body and bumpers, contrasting black fender flairs and satin black wheels.

On the inside, you can get leather heated front seats and steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, second-row in-floor storage bins with the Level 1 equipment group. Move up to Level 2 and you add a 7-inch instrument cluster display, 12-inch Uconnect 5 center touchscreen and configurable drive modes with Off-Road Info Pages.

Additional content includes a 10-way power driver seat with lumbar, class-exclusive dual wireless charging pads, dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate-release and a 9-speaker amplified audio system.

All of this off-road fun and comfort comes at a price. The BackCountry package is a $2,995 add-on to the Big Horn trim level, which means pricing starts at $62,410 including the destination charge.

[Images: Ram]

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Michael Strong

Michael Strong has spent more than 25 years writing about the automotive industry. A Detroit-area native, he’s written about everything from local car shows to product reviews to financial news. Currently he writes and edits for a variety of national and local publications. He’s also a longtime member of the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Hail Southern! Despite a love for ’70s land yachts and BMWs from the late ’80s and early ’90s, his personal vehicle is neither of those.

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2 of 15 comments

Oberkanone on Mar 16, 2026

Choose the "Off Road Group" and save $1,600.

1 Reply
Normie on Mar 17, 2026

Since they're both stupid-expensive, which works better.. Ram or sildenafil?

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