Ram's 3500 is the biggest, burliest, and most capable vehicle in the Ram stable. It's also one of the hardest working trucks in the segment boasting the most available torque from any diesel engine, and a towing capacity that hits the 30,000 lbs mark.
As with its rivals from Ford and GM, the Ram 3500 is available with a plethora of trim, powertrain, and cab/bed configurations. Features such as built-in storage bins in the bed, and a high-mounted reverse camera that overlooks the bed and tailgate improve day-to-day functionality.
Base ST trim vehicles are spartanly equipped but are ready for action. New for 2015, they receive Work Grade vinyl upholstery which is said to be more durable than before. At the other end of the spectrum, the Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited trim features a nicely finished cabin with soft-touch dashboard plastics, wood trim, and glove-soft leather. Chrysler's 8.4-inch infotainment system with UConnect, 115-volt power outlet, proximity key with push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, power front seats, and driver memory are all available.
Ram offers several powertrain options for the 3500. The standard engine is a rather conventional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 which produces 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It comes paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and an automatic transfer case (the exception is the base ST which uses a manual transfer case). From there, buyers can upgrade to a 6.4-litre version of the gas-powered Hemi, which makes 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. Mega Cab models with this engine make less power than the 5.7-litre V8, but torque outputs remain consistent.
Then, there's the diesel, which no heavy duty truck worth its salt would be complete without. Unlike GM, Ford, or Nissan, the Ram's diesel is a six-cylinder instead of a V8. Despite being down on cylinders, it’s as big as Ford’s Power Stroke V8 and is slightly bigger than the Duramax diesel found in the Silverado and Sierra HD. Opt for the diesel and there's a choice of transmission. The segment's only six-speed manual is the standard transmission; here, outputs are limited to 350 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. Opt for the standard six-speed automatic and it jumps to 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the heavy-duty Aisin six-speed automatic and outputs increase to 385 hp and a herculean 865 lb-ft of torque. The diesel also features a standard exhaust brake to improve the truck's stopping power. According to Ram, this Cummins-designed engine is Canada's top-selling heavy-duty diesel engine.
With three different cabs, a number of different bed lengths, and different engines, Ram 3500s span a broad array of capabilities. Here are a couple of key figures to note: 5.7-litre V8 3500s can tow up to 13,910 lbs, 6.4s can tow 16,370 lbs. Diesel 3500s range between 18,510 lbs for the manual, and 30,000 lbs for the Aisin automatic. Moving to payload, the 5.7 can haul up to 4,480 lbs, the 6.4 7,390 lbs, and the diesel between 6,680 and 6,720 lbs.
While the Ram 3500 does not feature the coil spring setup from the 1500 or 2500, its Hotchkiss leaf-style suspension can be upgraded with a class-exclusive rear airbag suspension for greater comfort and a level ride. Redesigned tow mirrors, new for 2015, improve visibility for easier towing.
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