On September 27, 2012, the Ram Truck brand officially unveiled the 2013 Ram Heavy-Duty and Chassis Cab lineups at the Texas State Fair. In a state where everything is bigger—including the expectation of quality trucks—the biggest, most powerful vehicles in the Ram lineup did not disappoint.
The big news from the event is that Ram now offers the most capable trucks in the heavy-duty pickup and chassis cab segments—both the new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks feature best-in-class towing and best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), and both lineups further solidify their long list of leadership claims by including best-in-class total cost of ownership.
Here’s a closer look at the Ram Heavy Duty lineup, with a look at the Chassis Cab to follow.
2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty
- The new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty features best-in-class torque, more horsepower, B-20 biofuel capability and improved fuel economy with the new 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel powertrain
- Choice of proven Cummins or legendary HEMI®featuring new six-speed automatic and exclusive manual transmissions
- Available 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel produces 370 horsepower (261 kW) at 2,800 rpm and best-in-class 850 lb.-ft. of torque (1151 N•m)
- Standard 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 N•m), and features variable-valve timing for greater efficiency and performance
- Ram 3500 now available with 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
- Ram reduces operating costs via new diesel exhaust after-treatment to deliver best-in-class 15,000-mile oil-change interval and contributes to a 10 percent fuel-economy gain
- Segment-exclusive front-axle disconnect works with new transfer cases to boost fuel economy by up to 1 mpg
- Unsurpassed powertrain warranty—5 year/100,000 mile and best-in-class 15,000-mile oil-change interval on the Cummins diesel engine
- Next-generation Uconnect Access combines a new lineup of smart media centers with a powerful new wireless platform that includes Wi-Fi hotspot capability
- Ram Heavy Duty now available with a premium, cluster-positioned, customizable, full-color 7-inch multiview display
- Addition of new Powernet vehicle electrical architecture allows new content with improved data speeds
- New interior features include standard and premium vehicle information center, steering wheel and controls, instrument panel, door panels, interior colors and premium materials
- New passive entry, Keyless Enter ’n Go, and remote central locking RamBox cargo management system and tailgate combined with door locks
- New lighting, bi-functional halogen projector headlamps and improved quad projection headlamps combine with exclusive LED front turn signals, markers and tail lamps
- New frames feature high-strength 50 KSI steel, eight cross member construction, hydroformed main rails, fully boxed rear rails and optional fifth wheel/gooseneck hitch mounting provisions
- New steering and suspension offer improved handling and drivability with best-in-class payload, frontal load (snowplow) and towing capabilities
- Standard four-channel electronic stability control (ESC) and exclusive for dual-rear-wheel Ram 3500
- Conventional trailer hitch system upgraded to Class 5 with 17,000-lb. load capability, 1,800 pounds of tongue weight for use with 2-inch and 2.5-inch receiver hitch
Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Chassis Cab
- 2013 Ram Chassis Cab goes far beyond competitive capability with best-in-class towing and best-in-class total cost of ownership
- New 2013 Ram Chassis Cab includes significant upgrades to powertrain, frame, suspension, body, electrical architecture and interior
- Legendary diesel power with new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions
- 6.7-liter Cummins available with high output option producing 325 horsepower (242 kW) at 3,000 rpm and best-in-class 750 lb.-ft. of torque (559 N•m)
- 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 delivers 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 N•m), and features variable-valve timing for greater efficiency and performance (Ram 3500 Chassis Cab)
- New Aisin AS69RC six-speed automatic transmission handles higher diesel output and offers enhanced power take-off (PTO) capability
- Exclusive dual-inlet Ram Active Air in diesel models adjusts induction according to driving conditions for optimal performance
- Best-in-class 15,000-mile oil change intervals on Cummins diesel
- Advanced diesel engine cooling system enables 25 percent more heat rejection for harsh duty cycles when compared to previous design
- Next-generation selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system—more efficient energy
- Innovative features combined with excellence in engineering make upfitting easy and less expensive
- Only manufacturer to feature standard electronic stability control (ESC) on all models
- New frame improvements include high-strength 50 KSI steel, eight cross member construction, C-channel rear rails to ensure continued unsurpassed noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), ride and handling characteristics
- Integration of Powernet technology enables expansion of feature content by adding bandwidth to the truck’s electrical architecture
- Best-in-class powertrain warranty—5 years/100,000 miles
- Exterior design changes include new grilles and all-new premium lighting system with bi-functional halogen projector bulbs and LEDs for park/turn and side markers
- New interior features include standard and premium vehicle information center, steering wheel and controls, instrument panel, door panels, interior colors and premium materials
- Next-generation Uconnect Access combines a new lineup of smart media centers with a powerful new wireless platform that includes Wi-Fi hotspot capability
- New configurable premium vehicle information center with 7-inch multiview display available on SLT and standard on Laramie models
- Best-in-class, new vehicle system interface module (VSIM)
- New passive entry, Keyless Enter ’n Go
