National Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM | Jacksonville, NC
Why Marines at Camp Lejeune Choose the RAM 1500
Between the Gate 2 commute, a PCS move every few years, and a trailer that needs to get to the next duty station, Camp Lejeune Marines need a truck that just works. Here is why the 2026 RAM 1500 keeps earning that job.
N Marine Blvd Sees a Lot of Trucks. Here Is Why So Many Are RAMs.
Drive N Marine Blvd toward Gate 1 or Gate 2 on any weekday and you will see the same thing: pickup trucks lined up bumper to bumper, most of them driven by Marines heading onto base or coming home to base housing. Jacksonville is a truck town because Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River are truck jobs. Field exercises, gear moves, and a PCS every two to three years do not leave much room for a vehicle that cannot pull its weight, literally.
The 2026 RAM 1500 is built for exactly that kind of use. It tows up to 11,610 lbs and carries up to 2,360 lbs of payload when properly equipped, runs eleven trims from a fleet-ready Tradesman to a luxury Tungsten, and comes with financing programs that work with active-duty pay and BAH. This page walks through why it fits the Gate 1 and Gate 2 commute, the PCS move, and the weekend trailer run down Onslow County backroads.
The Commute
Gate 1, Gate 2, and Every Version of the N Marine Blvd Drive
N Marine Blvd is the spine of the daily commute for a huge share of Camp Lejeune personnel. Whether you are coming off Piney Green Road to reach Gate 2 or working your way down toward the main entrance at Gate 1, that stretch of road handles everything from morning PT traffic to a line of trucks staged for a field op. A cab high enough to see over that line, and a ride that does not beat you up after a 12-hour duty day, matters more than most spec sheets admit.
The RAM 1500's independent front suspension is tuned to smooth out the daily grind without going soft when the bed is loaded. Marines living in base housing near Tarawa Terrace or Berkeley Manor make this drive twice a day, and a truck that is comfortable empty and composed loaded is the difference between a good commute and a long one.
- N Marine Blvd connects Jacksonville directly to Camp Lejeune's Gate 1 and Gate 2
- Independent front suspension smooths the daily commute, loaded or empty
- National Dodge sits on N Marine Blvd, minutes from base housing
- Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations available for family or gear-hauling needs
Towing
11,610 Pounds When Properly Equipped: Enough for the Boat, the Camper, or the Trailer Home
The 2026 RAM 1500 tows up to 11,610 lbs when properly equipped with the 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output engine, a 3.92 axle ratio, and the Max Tow Package. That covers a lot of what Marines and their families actually pull around Onslow County: a boat trailer headed to the New River or Morehead City, a camper for a long weekend away from the base, or a utility trailer loaded up for a garage clean-out before the next set of orders comes down.
The 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque tows up to approximately 11,320 lbs when properly equipped and remains the pick for Marines who want a proven engine with a long service history. Whichever engine you choose, Onslow County's backroads, from Piney Green Road out toward Richlands, are two-lane and often unlit at night, so the extra reserve capacity means you are never asking the truck to do more than it comfortably can.
- Up to 11,610 lbs tow rating, Hurricane SO engine with Max Tow Package, when properly equipped
- 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque tows up to approximately 11,320 lbs when properly equipped
- RamBox lockable bed storage keeps tools and gear dry on rural backroad runs
- Electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4 for wet or sandy coastal-county roads
PCS Season
June Through August: When Half of Jacksonville Is Moving at Once
PCS season hits Jacksonville hard every summer. From June through August, base housing turns over, moving trucks line up outside on-base neighborhoods, and every Marine with orders is loading a garage's worth of gear into whatever vehicle they own. The RAM 1500 carries up to 2,360 lbs of payload when properly equipped, which is enough to handle furniture, boxes, tools, and household goods directly in the bed without needing to rent a second truck.
The Multifunction Tailgate, a 60/40 split swing-out design available on select trims, makes it easier to load bulky items like a dresser or a mattress without climbing over the tailgate every time. For Marines managing their own partial DITY move alongside government-arranged shipments, that payload capacity and a bed that is easy to load matters as much as any comfort feature on the truck.
- Up to 2,360 lbs payload capacity when properly equipped
- PCS season runs roughly June through August in the Jacksonville market
- Multifunction Tailgate with step assist available on select trims
- Bed lengths of 5'7", 6'4", or 8'0" depending on cab and trim
"Up to 11,610 pounds of towing and 2,360 pounds of payload when properly equipped. Whatever Camp Lejeune asks of your truck this year, the RAM 1500 is built to answer."
National Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM, 2223 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC
Financing
Making BAH Work Toward Your Next Truck
Basic Allowance for Housing is counted as income by most lenders, which can help active-duty Marines build a stronger down payment or qualify for a payment that fits their total household budget. That matters in a market like Jacksonville, where a large share of buyers are on active-duty pay and BAH is a real, recurring part of the household income picture, not a bonus to ignore.
National Dodge works with Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River personnel on military discount and financing programs built around active-duty pay schedules and PCS timing. Every situation is different, so our finance team walks through your BAH, base pay, and total budget before recommending a trim or a payment plan. Ask about current military discount and financing programs when you visit or call.
- BAH counted as income by most lenders when structuring a loan
- Ask about current military discount and financing programs
- Finance team familiar with PCS timing and active-duty pay schedules
- Eleven trims give a wide range of price points to match your budget
Pick Your RAM 1500
2026 RAM 1500 Trims for Camp Lejeune Buyers
Eleven trims. One fits your duty station budget and your mission.
RAM 1500 Tradesman
Starting MSRP: $41,575*
- 3.6L V6, 305 hp
- Crew Cab or Quad Cab
- 4x2 or 4x4
- 8.4-inch Uconnect 5
- Best for: Fleet and everyday duty use
Popular Choice
Shop Big HornRAM 1500 Big Horn
Starting MSRP: $47,125*
- 3.6L V6 standard, HEMI V8 available
- Crew Cab or Quad Cab
- 4x2 or 4x4
- Remote keyless entry, heated mirrors
- Best for: Daily commute plus weekend towing
RAM 1500 Rebel
Starting MSRP: $65,445*
- Lifted suspension, skid plates
- All-terrain tires
- 4x4 only, Crew Cab
- Unique off-road styling
- Best for: Field-ready capability off the pavement
RAM 1500 Laramie
Starting MSRP: $61,325*
- Leather seating standard
- 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 available
- Ventilated front seats available
- Crew Cab, 4x2 or 4x4
- Best for: Comfort on long duty-station drives
*Starting MSRP figures as of June 2026, excluding taxes, title, and dealer fees. Towing and payload figures are up to the stated amount when properly equipped and vary by configuration. Confirm current pricing, incentives, and availability with National Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM.
Questions
2026 RAM 1500 + Camp Lejeune FAQ
What is the towing capacity of the 2026 RAM 1500?
The 2026 RAM 1500 tows up to 11,610 lbs when properly equipped with the 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output engine, a 3.92 axle ratio, and the Max Tow Package. The 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque tows up to approximately 11,320 lbs when properly equipped. Actual tow rating depends on cab configuration, axle ratio, and equipped packages, so confirm the build with National Dodge before hitching up a trailer.
What is the payload capacity of the 2026 RAM 1500?
The 2026 RAM 1500 carries up to 2,360 lbs of payload when properly equipped, depending on cab, bed length, and engine configuration. That figure covers gear, tools, furniture, or moving boxes loaded directly into the bed and cab, separate from anything on a trailer behind it.
Does National Dodge offer military discounts on the RAM 1500?
National Dodge works with active-duty Marines, sailors, and their families at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River on military discount and financing programs. Ask our team about current military discount and financing programs when you visit or call, since offer details and eligibility change and are set at the time of purchase.
Is the RAM 1500 a good truck for a PCS move?
Yes. The RAM 1500's payload of up to 2,360 lbs when properly equipped and towing of up to 11,610 lbs when properly equipped make it a strong choice for a PCS move, whether that means hauling household goods yourself, pulling a small utility trailer, or towing a boat or camper to the next duty station. RamBox lockable bed storage also keeps moving tools and hardware secure and dry between Jacksonville and wherever orders send you next.
How do I use BAH toward a RAM 1500 down payment?
Basic Allowance for Housing is counted as income by most lenders, which can help active-duty Marines qualify for auto financing or build a stronger down payment. Every service member's situation and every lender's underwriting is different, so talk to our finance team at National Dodge about how your BAH and total household income fit into a RAM 1500 purchase before you commit to a payment.
Can I see the 2026 RAM 1500 near Camp Lejeune?
Yes. National Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM is at 2223 N Marine Blvd in Jacksonville, NC, a short drive from both Camp Lejeune's Gate 1 and Gate 2. Call (910) 347-3777 or browse current RAM 1500 inventory online at nationaldodge.com.
Shop the 2026 RAM 1500 at National Dodge in Jacksonville, NC
We are on N Marine Blvd, minutes from Camp Lejeune's Gate 1 and Gate 2 and from MCAS New River. Multiple RAM 1500 trims in stock, with a finance team that understands PCS timing and BAH. Come drive one before your next field problem or your next move.
- Address 2223 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
- Phone(910) 347-3777
- InventoryBrowse new RAM 1500 inventory
- FinanceApply for financing online
- ServiceSchedule service
Customer Reviews
What Jacksonville Drivers Say About National Dodge
Ready to Drive the 2026 RAM 1500?
Whether it is the Gate 2 commute, a summer PCS move, or a trailer down an Onslow County backroad, the RAM 1500 is built for the job in front of you.
National Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM | 2223 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546