The Ram Truck brand today announced weight and towing ratings for the 2013 Heavy Duty pickup and Chassis Cab lineups. We know that many Ram fans have been waiting patiently for the release of these numbers, so let’s cut right to the chase.
The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup will claim a 30,000-pound trailer capacity.
Credit this to several technological advances, including a new class-exclusive 50,000-pounds-per-square-inch, high-strength steel frame, improved transfer case, higher-load transmission, an upgraded 6.7-liter Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine with a best-in-class 850 lb.-ft. of torque and other significant driveline upgrades. Ram’s closest competitor is limited to a 23,100-pound maximum trailer.
“We built the new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty to be the undisputed Heavy Duty ‘King of the Road.’ These new rigs deliver on the number one key attribute most critical to these customers: uncompromising capability,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “Towing capability, reliability and engine performance are ranked first through third, respectively, with HD customers. The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty trucks unequivocally deliver all those things, as well as a very low total cost of ownership.”
The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the Ram 3500 has been raised to 37,600 pounds.
Gross Combined Weight Rating is defined by the maximum combined weight of the truck, payload and trailer. The rating of the 2013 Ram 3500 has been raised to 37,600 pounds — it’s a number worth repeating, and one that far surpasses the closest competitor’s 30,500-pound GCWR.
Ram has increased the capability in its other truck models as well. For 2013, the Ram 2500 will also benefit from increased towing and GCWR. At 18,350 and 25,000, respectively, Ram 2500’s towing and GCW ratings are also best among ¾-ton pickups.
Ram Chassis Cab trucks also boast maximum capability with best-in-class towing and GCWR figures: 29,600 pounds and 37,500 pounds, respectively (5500 model).
Both the Ram Heavy Duty pickup and Chassis Cab lineups deliver a number of exciting features for 2013. Readers interested in learning more about these features should visit this RamZone post: 2013 Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab Lineup Unveiled at the State Fair of Texas. However, please see below for information on several new features worth mentioning here.
For Ram Heavy Duty, new features in 2013 include a factory-integrated fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch mount, a 17,000-pound Class V hitch with 1,800 pounds of tongue weight, class-exclusive electronic stability control (ESC) for dual rear wheels and a new Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) positioned camera for monitoring cargo and to provide a full view of the bed for easier hook-up of fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
For 2013, all Ram Heavy Duty diesels benefit from an all-new cooling system. A high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers and a low-slung charge air cooler afford 25 percent more heat-rejection capacity. Lower operating temperatures deliver improved performance, durability and lower operating costs. Cummins Turbo Diesel-equipped Ram trucks also provide best-in-class 15,000-mile oil change intervals.
Ram is also introducing an industry-exclusive Ram Active Air intake system. When the intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle — a function that also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response in low-oxygen environments. When conditions are wet from snow, ice or water-fording, the system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, clear from snow-packing and water.
Also among the upgrades for 2013, Ram Heavy Duty front drive shafts and U-joints are sized larger to align with the truck’s new Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
To handle the best-in-class towing capability of the new Ram Heavy Duty, a new front and rear suspension system with advanced geometry builds upon the chassis improvements and greatly improves overall roll stiffness. An advanced three-link front suspension on the Ram 3500 is necessary for the vehicle’s higher GVWR and for use with heavy front loads, including snow plows. Additionally, a newly designed Hotchkiss leaf spring rear suspension on the Ram 3500 offers improved ride and handling while delivering higher towing and payload capability.
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