2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD - First Look

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD
We'd had a chance to try out the newest Ram HDs at their pre-launch media event in Texas, but to be honest, driving the Power Wagon through the off-road course seemed a lot more fun than towing a 10,000-pound trailer. So, with a homeward flight looming in the afternoon and limited drive time, we picked the muddy off-road course to spend most of our time. Can you blame us? However, the new Ram's towing capability wasn't far from our thoughts, and when we had a monumental towing task in mind that involved our 'bagged and custom painted '09 Ram, we knew what the perfect tow vehicle would be. There was one slight hitch in our plan, the trailer we planned on towing was a fifth wheel. (Sorry for the pun). It just so happened that there was a Ram in the press fleet that was already equipped with a Mopar accessory fifth wheel, so with a few phone calls we were good to go.

The plan was for Editor Dan Ward, freelance editor Harley Camilleri, and myself, to tow our trailer to the Tex Mex show in Somerville, Texas, 1,500 miles from our office in Irvine, California, to display our '09 Ram project and set up shop to dispense magazines and sell swag. Loading up on Tuesday, it was apparent that our trailer was never intended to fit a vehicle as wide as a fullsize truck. With just an inch to spare on each side between the trailer's inner wheelwells, the Ram was a tight squeeze. Let's just say that Dan had an interesting time climbing out of the Ram and exiting the trailer once the Ram was securely strapped down.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks

The Ram 2500's tow rating increased on 2011 models from 20,000 to 22,000 lb, when buyers choose the diesel and 4.1 axle ratio, indicating that the rear springs or axle may have been beefed up to handle the extra load.

In addition, both Ram 2500 and 3500 have new optional power folding tow mirrors on some models (with late - February - availability), three new colors (the same ones added to Ram 1500), a standard EVIC (advanced trip computer), standard tire pressure monitoring, and standard trailer brake control on all but ST models.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2

MSRP

$25,305 - $30,180

Invoice

$24,078 - $28,514

The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging... read more from the ST to the LARAMIE.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a carryover from 2009.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Helps Chrysler Celebrate 85 Years

Usually when an automaker hits a big milestone, it sends out press releases and marks the occasion with various events, but coming off one of the most challenging periods in its history, Chrysler is celebrating its 85th year with an assortment of new products including the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Founded on June 6, 1925, the Chrysler Corporation, currently known as Chrysler Group, LLC, is on the verge of launching the first vehicle that it hopes will help spark a turnaround. Building off the success of the redesigned 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks, Chrysler will launch new or updated versions of almost all of its models within the next couple years, including a large number by the end of this year.

In addition to the new Grand Cherokee and Ram Heavy Duty chassis cab trucks, other changes due out by the end of 2010 for Chrysler include major changes to the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Durango, which is likely to be renamed the Dodge Magnum. The redesigned full-size sedans will not only get a new exterior, but they will receive improved power and fuel economy associated with the new Pentastar V-6 engine. This new 3.6-liter engine will replace the PowerTech 3.7-liter V-6 and produce 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque; the biggest benefit will be an improvement of 11 percent in fuel economy. Following the Grand Cherokee and new LX sedans, the Pentastar V-6 will also be used in the Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country.