Ram Truck recently announced a series of upgrades to its Heavy Duty truck lineup that will give it outright class supremacy in trailer towing. Now boasting the ability to pull a segment-leading 22,700-pound maximum trailer weight, the one-ton Ram 3500 Heavy Duty will get a performance boost to its 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine that will increase its torque by 23 percent to 800 lb/ft. and be upfitted with a package of components that will increase its gross combined weight rating (GCWR) to 30,000 pounds.
"A Ram Heavy Duty truck owner's most important concern is towing capability-79 percent of them rate towing as extremely important," said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck Brand president and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC. "Reliability and engine performance are tied for second-named as extremely important by 73 percent of owners. This 800 lb/ft. performance upgrade-combined with Ram Truck's unsurpassed 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and Cummins' proven reputation for reliability-are a direct response to our customers' high expectations. We stand behind our commitment to build great trucks that are best in class."
High-Output Torque
A new powertrain control module (PCM) with revised performance calibration allows the High-Output 6.7-liter, six-cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel to reach peak torque at 1,600 rpm and exceed the previous model's output from 1,200 through 2,800 rpm. While peak horsepower remains unchanged (350 at 3,000 rpm), the engine's new calibration delivers more than 40 additional horsepower at typical highway cruising speeds.
Behind the powerful, High-Output Cummins lies a new higher-rated torque converter. The Ram's new torque converter improves engine/transmission integration for better towing capability on grades and optimizes engine performance.
In addition to the new PCM and torque converter, the 800 lb/ft. High Output Cummins-powered Ram Heavy Duty trucks receive a new crankshaft damper, reducing engine noise and vibration (NVH). Ram Trucks with the uprated 800 lb/ft. Cummins will feature a special "High Output Cummins" badge on their tailgates.
No Diesel Exhaust Fluid Required
Cummins Turbo Diesel-equipped Ram pickups are the only heavy-duty pickups to meet 2010 EPA emissions regulations with an engine and after treatment system that has been proven in more than 250,000 customer trucks since 2007 and without the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).
Maximum Towing
When equipped with the "Max Tow" towing-optimization package, the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty maximum trailer weight is rated up to 22,700 pounds, the highest trailer weight in its class. Since the launch of the new Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty for the 2010 model year, towing capability has been the trucks' strong suit, with a long list of towing features including the most powerful standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides unmatched confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades.
Ram has the largest brakes of any heavy-duty pickup: 14.17-in.x1.54-in. front and 14.09-in.x1.34-in. rear with an integrated anti-lock brake system (ABS) that increases brake life and braking stability.
Tow ratings for the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty meet 100 percent of 2013 model year SAE testing standards.