Big trucks are a handful, even though they’re more refined then ever. But this 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab, the biggest of them all, is surprisingly easy to drive despite its gargantuan dimensions. We drove two versions of this hulking truck, one equipped with the standard V8 and another endowed with the stump-pulling Cummins turbodiesel.

Because this is a workhorse truck with a workhorse suspension, it drives as we expected – stiffly when the cab and bed are empty but capable of handling extreme payloads with ease. And to prove this is no pansy in truck’s clothing, Dodge has given the Mega Cab a whopping 15,900-pound maximum tow rating and a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 23,000 pounds. No matter the model, the Mega Cab performs heavy-duty work without complaint. But when it’s unloaded, the ride can be rough.

Since towing is likely on the Mega Cab owner’s agenda, we tugged two different trailer configurations and found that each engine performed admirably. First was a popular-sized, tag-tow recreation trailer pulled by a Mega Cab equipped with the Hemi V8. While we were aware the trailer was behind us, the V8 managed the load quite nicely.

Clearly, however, heavy-duty towing needs require a heavy-duty engine. Our second tow test was with the Cummins turbodiesel hooked to a large, fifth-wheel stock trailer, much like you would see a rancher using to transport livestock. While the trailer’s weight was more noticeable from behind the wheel, the Cummins handled the load without any problems. We traveled a variety of roads containing uphill stretches and long descents that could have presented a problem for lesser trucks. And, given the Mega Cab’s size and driving character, it just feels right to have the torquey diesel under the hood.

The 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab not only can tow the load but also take all your ranch hands to the job to boot. But as big as this truck is it’s surprisingly easy to maneuver. Keeping track of all four of the Mega Cab’s corners is easy once you become familiar with its size, but you can forget about sneaking down a narrow alley. On city streets, it is reasonably comfortable to drive as long as you keep top of mind its gargantuan footprint, and on the highway you barely notice how large and long the Mega Cab is.

Inside, the Mega Cab has large firm seats and, in loaded Laramie trim, the amenities of a luxury sedan. Dodge’s new four-spoke steering wheel has a larger rim for good grasp, and the new bucket seat configuration replaces the standard bench seat. The large fold-down center seat section, which doubles as a mobile “office,” allows easier access and room for both a cell phone and a laptop computer.

But what’s best about the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab is that it performs more work while hauling more people and stuff in comfort and style. It may not seem practical for most of us to own a super-sized truck like this Dodge, but then this truck isn’t aimed at most of the truck buying public. Some people need a tough pickup like this and the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab is designed to serve their every need, and more.