Squat Test

Squat Test

For our squat test, we took one of the 6,500-pound trailers and hooked each of the trucks up to it in turn to measure how much the rear suspension would compress under load. To ensure we only loaded the rear suspension, we didn't use any weight-distributing equipment.

The trailer had a 10 percent (650-pound) tongue weight, which refers to the downward force applied by a trailer's own weight and cargo on the hitch ball. Measurements were taken before and after the tongue weight was applied to the truck. We measured the distance from the top of the trailer hitch ball mount “stinger” (that slid into the hitch receiver) down to the pavement.

This test is important because the amount of perceived squat can impact the level of confidence drivers feel about their truck. Too much squat can make a truck look overburdened even if it’s still within its maximum towing or hauling ratings.

These measurements were recorded without Ricardo Engineering’s participation.

We were most interested in how the new Dodge Ram would perform, because of its innovative coil-spring multilink rear suspension. Chrysler says the setup saves up to 40 pounds of weight over a comparable leaf-spring setup, eliminates spring friction that can contribute to poor ride quality, and provides lateral as well as vertical control. Not surprisingly, the Ram had the most suspension travel, which allowed it to squat a full 3.6 inches from its static position. 

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