2010
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks
The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups (Ram 2500 and Ram 3500) will be
produced starting on September 28, 2009. The Dodge Ram Chassis Cabs
will have a short 2010 model year and will all be built within
calendar-year 2009; 2011 models will have the new styling and
interiors, and will be built starting in March 2010. (Dodge Ram Chassis
Cabs have a separate page.)
While the Ram 1500 is aimed at the
primary users of light-duty pickups
— people who do not routinely tow or haul heavy loads, but need the
space or shape for other reasons — the Ram Heavy Duty is aimed at
commercial and fleet users, the primary buyers of serious,
diesel-powered pickups and chassis cabs.
The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty,
available in Fall 2009, will continue to
use the previous generation’s proven chassis and frame, but with more
comfort, higher capabilities, and more body options: Dodge has replaced
the Quad Cab with a crew cab, which joins the regular and (possibly)
the Mega cabs. There are two cargo-box sizes (6-foot-4-inches and 8
feet), in single and dual-rear-wheel configurations. Even the chassis
cabs come in a crew cab version.
The ride was greatly improved through
re-tuned suspension components;
handling under a full load was also beefed up, while the gross vehicle
weight rating increased by 600 lb to 9,600 pounds (Ram 2500 crew and
possibly Mega Cab 4x4 with Cummins diesel). Fluid-filled hydro-mounts
under the cab reduce beaming and bounce over rough surfaces. (What are
fluid-filled hydro-mounts? Here’s what Dodge said: “C-pillar hydro
mounts were added to improve damping through the frame-bending mode
frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The
result is reduced shake and improved ride.”)
The new TRX and TRX4 (2WD and 4x4)
crew cabs are designed to compete
head to head with Ford; they include an anti-spin differential, 4.1:1
axle ratio, 17-inch aluminum wheel with offroad tires, skid plates, and
other features. They will be priced thousands less than the Ford F-250
The 6.7 Cummins turbodiesel will be
essentially unchanged, but with a
new particulate feature that slashes nitrides of oxygen by 90%; in the
pickups, the engine produces 350 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 650 lb-ft of
torque at a stunning 1,500 rpm, just off idle (automatic transmission).
With the G56 manual transmission, the Cummins puts out 350 hp and 610
lb-ft of torque; with the chassis cabs, 305 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque.
The Hemi V8 is available, with 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque,
on Ram 2500 only; the Ram 3500 appears to now require the Cummins
diesel. While the industry mix for this class is 59/41 diesel to gas,
79% of Ram heavy duty trucks sold in 2008 were diesels, and in most
recent years 80%-87% of Ram 2500/3500 trucks were diesels.
Maintenance for the Cummins engine -
which is in 90% of the Heavy Duty
Rams - includes 7,500 mile oil changes and overhauls at 350,000 miles
(100,000 miles more than Ford or GM). It includes an exhaust brake, a
major safety feature and unique in this segment the exhaust brake is a
$3,500 value, according to Dodge, and provides additional savings with
lower brake maintenance. A B20 (biodiesel 20%) version is available for
fleet buyers.
Power-wise, the Cummins engine has the same ratings as the Ford Super
Duty diesel (though peak torque comes in earlier), while the
Silverado’s Isuzu-boosted Duramax diesel has 15 more horsepower and 10
lb-ft more torque. The Cummins has met 2010.5 emissions requirements
since launch, and has no diesel exhaust fluid (e.g. urea) requirement.
Circulated by Antelope valley auto
