dodge ram heavy duty
trucks heavy duty
heavy duty truck
A year after the automaker rolled out its newest generation of the Ram 1500 light-duty line, Dodge now has updated the 2500 and 3500 model pickups.
And, as with the Ram 1500 a year ago, the biggest news is the addition of a crew-cab model (other than the Texas-sized Mega Cab model introduced in 2006).
These new trucks are available in a variety of cab and cargo configurations and come with either a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gasoline engine or a 6.7-liter Cummings Turbo Diesel.
The Cummings engine meets the new clean-diesel standards in all 50 states without having to use an additive.
Also new: The diesel-equipped models come with the only standard exhaust brake in this market segment, Dodge says.
The diesel models are offered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
A regular cab model — with just a front seat — is available along with the crew and Mega versions. Cargo boxes are available in 6-foot-4 and 8-foot lengths with either single or dual rear wheels.
With all three cab styles, the ride has been improved, with such new features as retuned suspension components.
Towing capacity has been increased, too. The main reason many consumers buy these trucks is for towing, and the 3500 model now can pull trailers weighing up to 18,500 pounds. They have a maximum payload of 5,110 pounds, as well.
Gross combined weight rating — loaded truck plus trailer — can run as high as 25,400 pounds when the 3500 model is equipped with the dual rear wheels, the diesel engine, automatic transmission and the 4.10 rear axle.
The gross weight rating on the Ram 2500 four-wheel-drive crew-cab diesel models has been increased to 9,600 pounds.
The strength of the Ram Heavy Duty lies in its fully boxed frame, which is hydro-formed, a process designed to increase significantly the torsional rigidity and stiffness.
Dodge says the suspension system includes coil springs in the front, and a multileaf spring design in the rear to give the vehicle its heavy-duty capability.
Both front and rear shocks and springs have been specially tuned for a combination of ride quality and capability, the company said.
Other upgrades include larger front axle U-joints, combined with an increased front gross axle weight rating, which allows for the attachment of accessories to the front end, such as road scrapers and snowplows.
The standard exhaust brake is designed to help extend brake life and to provide “confidence and safety” when the truck is carrying heavy loads downhill, Dodge said. The brakes include an antilock system.
Also available is an integrated trailer brake controller. Information for the trailer brake controller is shown on the driver-information center, which is standard on diesel models and optional gasoline-powered SLT, TRX and Laramie models.
A tow/haul mode switch is standard on both the five- and six-speed automatic transmissions.
The Cummings diesel cranks out 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 foot-pounds of torque at an engine speed as low as 1,500 rpm. It has standard oil change intervals of 7,500 miles, and major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, which Dodge says is more than 100,000 miles ahead of its competitors.
The six-speed manual transmission comes with an ultralow first gear, which Dodge says “makes it ideal for heavy hauling requirements.”
With the gasoline engine option, consumers get a 5.7-liter Hemi that turns out 383 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque.
Standard with the Hemi is the five-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Range Select, which lets the driver select the highest available transmission gear. The system permits manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed.
The Ram Power Wagon also returns for 2010, an extreme off-road-capable model that comes with electric locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plates, a 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a Warn 12,000-pound winch at the front of the vehicle.
It also has a new two-tone paint scheme and graphics package.
Interiors of the new Ram Heavy Duty models offer amenities that in the past have been limited to cars and designed specifically for passenger comfort and convenience. The interiors are quite carlike and include an optional large center console with an upper bin large enough for a laptop computer and a lower bin that can hold hanging files. There is even a 12-volt power outlet in the upper bin.
The 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models have best-in-class interior space, Dodge says, “including the largest, longest cab (143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long); largest interior cargo volume (72.2 cubic feet); largest cargo volume behind the rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); largest second-row legroom (44.2 inches); largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); largest rear-door open angle (85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seatback angle).”
No prices have been announced yet. The new trucks go on sale later this fall. No EPA mileage ratings are published for the heavy-duty pickups; they are exempt from the mileage regulations because of their weight.
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