The 2019 Ram 2500 was completely redesigned for the new model year. Ram engineers took everything to the next level this year, from a plush driver-pampering interior to a strong, stiffer frame. The focus of the 2019 Ram seems to be “brand new everything,” which is refreshing in a truck market in which “redesigned” sometimes means “just a few changes.” The suspension has been redesigned, the transmission completely replaced, a powerful turbo-diesel engine option added, and an exterior facelift was done that will surely turn heads.
Not only is the 2019 Ram 2500 more capable than ever, but more thought was put into the interior design, as well. With standard features that drivers crave and options that make the interior of the truck feel like home, Ram understands that drivers tend to spend a lot of time in the cabin, and have adjusted features to provide more comfort and accommodate more storage needs. Innovation can be found at every angle, from bed to headlamp. Technology abounds, but not in unnecessary measures. Ram has added features to make working, hauling, trailering, and navigating unfamiliar roads safer and easier for drivers, passengers, and those who share the road. With these features, Ram brings the 2019 2500 to the segment as a serious heavy-duty work truck contender.
The Power to Drive Anywhere
The power behind the 2019 Ram 2500 is the fully re-engineered frame, made of a combination of 98.5% high strength steel and lightweight aluminum, which is a first for the Ram. As a result, Ram loses forty pounds of frame weight while gaining heavy-duty capability to lead its class.
Under the hood, you’ll find a choice of engines that drive the power advantage even further. The standard engine is a 6.4L HEMI V8, a legend in its own right. With variable-cam timing (VCT), this engine gets 410 horsepower and has the capacity to move a lot of cargo. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Ram 2500 drivers can experience a lighter, more responsive drive without sacrificing the necessary power. This engine offers 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum payload capacity of 4,050 pounds and a towing maximum of 17,580 pounds.
The optional 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel I6 engine has been completely updated to improve responsiveness, especially when towing. This engine has been paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which offers less noise, low vibration, and softer, more responsive performance. This engine is the ultimate for towing, with its 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. As a result, this Ram package can handle 3,260 pounds of payload and tow up to 19,780 pounds.
If towing is your main need, the 2019 Ram 2500 has been specifically designed for towing excellence. The turbo-diesel engine option offers best-in-class towing capacity and is paired with a stabilizing rear-axle structural cross member. The optional Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package can be installed to allow for a variety of towing configurations.
For easy hookup and improved maneuverability, consider the 360 degree Surround View Camera with the Trailer Reverse Guidance View option, which provides a display of the entire area surrounding the truck and attached trailer. The Rear Auto-Level Air Suspension optional feature allows for changes in road camber and shifting loads, keeping the hitch parallel throughout these changes and shifts.
A Live-In Cabin
Inside the cabin, Ram has created a haven for drivers. The 2019 Ram 2500 incorporates real wood and metal in the interior, a rarity among heavy-duty truck interiors. Drivers can choose between the 8.4-inch information screen with traditional knobs or a 12-inch touch screen information/entertainment center. Your tunes will sound better than ever in the acoustically-designed cabin, which includes noise-cancellation technology and acoustic glass. The result is a cabin that is nearly ten decibels quieter than previous generations of Ram.
Those who spend a lot of time on the road tend to carry a lot of stuff, and the 2019 Ram 2500 is designed with this principle in mind. There’s an enormous center console, which offers an array of twelve possible reconfigurations to hold everything from important client records to files, and even lunch for the entire crew. A dual glove box handles the smaller things that you don’t want to lose, from gloves to cellphone chargers. Crew Cab models also have two Ram Bins hidden in the floor, perfect for tools and other expensive equipment that needs extra protection.
Speaking of charging, the 2019 Ram 2500 includes up to five USB ports in the center console, including the new USB-C format. Wireless charging is also available. For extra power any time, any place, consider adding up to three 115V three-prong outlets, which can be added in the cab, in the back, and in the Ram Box.
While the base 2500 Tradesman package includes a significant bundle of features, the 2019 Ram 2500 is offered in five trim packages, including the Bighorn, the Laramie- which is only offered in Crew and Mega Cab, the Crew Cab-only Power Wagon, the Laramie Longhorn, and the decked-out 2500 Limited.
The Bighorn includes power-adjustable features throughout, including remote door locks, power rear window, and remote ignition. The Laramie trim adds chrome features to the exterior, front and rear parking sensors, power-adjustable and heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a ten-speaker audio system. The Power Wagon is Ram’s off-road offering, with all-terrain tires, off-road shock-absorbing components, skid plates, electronically rear and front locking differentials, and stability bars. The Laramie Longhorn adds more luxury to the cabin, with front bucket seats, premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats in front and rear, and a navigation system. The Limited sits on 20-inch wheels, with power running boards, bedside storage compartments, an adjustable bed divider, and a signature black leather interior.
Safety In Spades
Safety is critical when operating a large truck, especially when working at some less-organized job sites. Ram has included a superior array of safety technology to ensure drivers, passengers, and ground crew are as safe as can be.
Features like adaptive forward LED lighting can turn up the headlamps by 15 degrees, providing adequate nighttime lighting, while adaptive cruise control ensures you’re never too close to the vehicle in front of you, even when you’re on cruise mode. Blind-spot monitoring uses sensors in the rear lights to sense when other vehicles might be sitting in the one spot you can’t see. Optional sensors in the front and rear bumpers aid in parking this heavy-duty truck, especially helpful in smaller parking spots or at cluttered job sites.
Safety extends to the trailer, as well. The Center High Mount Stop Light or CHMSL Camera can be adjusted to provide additional visibility depending on the cargo you’re hauling. An available auxiliary camera system can be wired to your trailer or even provide views inside the trailer, a benefit when hauling sensitive equipment or livestock. The 2019 Ram 2500 also offers a trailer tire pressure monitoring system, which can read and display live pressure readings for up to twelve tires per trailer, and four trailers total, which can help mitigate a blowout during critical hauling. Another brand-new feature of the 2019 model is the WARN ZEON-12 winch, a synthetic line rated for up to 12,000 pounds. This is a class-exclusive feature, as the only factory-installed winch for a heavy-duty truck.
The 2019 Ram 2500
The 2019 Ram 2500 experienced a full evaluation and redesign for the new model year. With several class-exclusive and class-first features, it remains an exclusive heavy-duty truck experience. From the basic fleet-friendly Tradesman to the elite Limited trim package, this year’s Ram is filled with unexpected luxury features inside and out. With plenty of power and storage for everything you need on a day-to-day basis, this could possibly be one of the most well-engineered, intelligently designed vehicles in its class.