New Ram HD Trucks Made for Towing
Chrysler holds the line on pricing of new 2500 and 3500 HD pick up trucks.
Tim White
Published: Oct 30, 2009
Dodge Ram has introduced a redesigned line of heavy duty pick up trucks for 2010. The new trucks bring a big rig look to the light duty 1500 series introduced last year. With a larger chrome grill and massive bumper, the new line carries a big rig theme. The new line also shows a sleek side with a rear fender that is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal even in the dually versions.
Inside Ram is offering a crew cab for the first time. The normal cab and the mega cab are still available. Rear seating offers ample leg room and front seats are available with heated and ventilated options. The shift arm has been moved to the steering wheel to open up more space in the center well. There are no less than 44 storage compartments in the cab. Hard plastic surfaces have been softened in the dashboard and side panels.
TOW MASTER: Set up to handle the toughest of towing conditions, the 3500 SLT 4X4 crew cab I drove carried a sticker price of $55,910 with a base price of $46,630 and options totaling $8,330.
Dodge is touting the line as the ultimate in towing machines and power is not problem It is available with either the HEMI V-8 gasoline engine delivers 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-torque at 4,000 rpm or the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 horsepower (261 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm.
OFF ROAD: The Ram Power Wagon is equipped with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing
Special towing options include: tow/haul mode transmission switch to enhance the engine’s tow capability; exhaust brake, which is the only standard such feature in the segment and is available on all Ram diesel-equipped models, to reduce brake fade, prolong brake life and provide confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades; optional integrated trailer brake control to provide better driver control in towing situations; and Electronic Range Select located on the shift arm to enable the driver to manually limit the highest available transmission gear, allowing manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed.
EASY HITCH: Equipped with a rear view camera, new hitch and easy, clean electrical connectors, towing is less strain on relationships as well as equipment.
Dodge is not only holding the line on prices compared to last year, they are actually lowering the base price on some of the new heavy duty truck models. The Ram Heavy Duty is available in five trim models — ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $28,165 for regular cab models, $31,415 for crew cab models and $36,865 for Mega Cab models.
Permalink: Click here
|