There’s no question that Ram offers exceptional luxury and performance with their lineup of diesel trucks from the Ram 1500 and 2500 to the 3500. Don’t believe it? Visit your Southern California diesel truck dealer to test drive a Ram, and you’ll see just how far Ram is ahead of the competition. So, how does Ram do it?
Ram is known for offering unparalleled luxury and comfort that’s enhanced by the ride quality, performance, and capability of their diesel trucks. This combination of performance and luxury is unmatched in the automotive industry. Let’s look closer at Ram’s diesel powertrains and how they’ve made Ram the go-to brand for heavy-duty workhorses capable of completing any task and traversing any terrain.
Diesel Engines and Performance
3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6
Diesel trucks have a reputation for being noisy to drive and expensive to fill up at the gas station, but that’s not the case with Ram. Ram changed the game with the introduction of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine in 2020. The engine is Ram’s diesel powertrain option on the half-ton Ram 1500 and proves to be the most advanced diesel engine made for a light-duty truck. How so?
Ram pulled out all the stops when they redesigned the EcoDiesel and added a vibration-damping baffle in the oil sump to reduce noise and vibration. That’s why the EcoDiesel is unlike other diesel engines on the road. It’s exceptionally quiet and truly showcases its power by delivering 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque with a maximum towing capacity of 12,560 lbs. This earned the EcoDiesel high praise for offering the highest towing capacity and the best torque rating out of all diesel engines on the road. Of course, the EcoDiesel is also incredibly fuel-efficient and averages 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive.
6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6
The 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 is the most powerful engine available on the Ram 2500 and the Ram 3500. The legendary Cummins design is the latest in the partnership between Ram and Cummins that began over three decades ago in 1989. Today, the 6.7-liter delivers an impressive range of power, performance, and best-in-class towing for both the 2500 and 3500 models.
When paired with the standard automatic transmission, the 6.7-liter Cummins produces 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque on both the Ram 2500 and the 3500. This power yields an impressive towing capacity of up to 19,680 lbs and a maximum payload of 3,160 lbs for the 2500 and boosts those numbers to 22,670 lbs towing and 6,840 lbs payload on the 3500. An upgrade to the high output version on the Ram 3500 sees improved ratings and delivers 400 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. This engine has a slightly lower payload of 6,570 lbs but will give you the maximum potential towing capacity of 37,100 lbs.
Capability and Towing
Ram’s two diesel powertrains provide exceptional performance across Ram’s lineup of trucks. That performance extends to towing and hauling, with the Ram lineup earning several awards for their capability. But what technology does Ram offer that gives drivers more confidence as they haul everything from trailers and boats to campers and beyond?
Towing Technology and Hardware
Ram’s towing technology is designed to give drivers peace of mind whether they’re hauling small trailers for weekend projects or hooking up the fifth wheel to haul a camper or an RV. Ram delivers that peace of mind with the Smart Towing Technology suite. The innovative suite includes a variety of features like Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring, Trailer-Tow Power-Fold Mirrors, a Trailer Light Check, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.
Committed to delivering the latest technology, Ram’s 360-degree Surround View Camera System boosts the truck’s capability thanks to strategically placed cameras around the vehicle. More than just a rearview camera, the Surround View system provides a “stitched-together” view of the truck’s surroundings. The views from the front grille, exterior mirrors, and tailgate give drivers the angles they need to easily hook up to, load, and unload their trailer.
The Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System is designed to give live pressure readings for up to four trailers and up to 12 tires per trailer. The readings are displayed on the Driver Information Digital Cluster Display near the odometer to ensure the driver has all the information needed within immediate view. The Trailer Light Check is a newer feature that eliminates the need for a second person to check the trailer lights as the driver tests the brakes and blinkers from behind the wheel. The light check monitors the trailer’s lights, giving drivers the peace of mind that the trailer is safely operating to the required standards.
The Ram 3500 is capable of hauling up to 37,100 lbs, but not just by the engine power alone. It comes with additional towing hardware designed to haul heavier loads. The 3500 includes a factory-installed rear-axle structural cross member that integrates the towing hardware needed to add a fifth-wheel or gooseneck. The 3500 also features Trailer Reverse Guidance technology that makes hauling those big loads even easier. The reverse guidance view utilizes the 360-degree Surround View camera to provide an adjustable display of both sides of the truck and trailer.
Safe Towing Features
Ram’s towing features extend to its safety suite with standard and available upgrades like Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path and Trailer Detection that takes the guesswork out of changing lanes by scanning the blind spots along the side and rear of the truck and trailer. The suite also features Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Roll Mitigation, which work together by ensuring the vehicle is stable and centered. Hill Start Assist is another feature in the suite and retains the truck’s brake pressure during acceleration on steep grades to prevent the truck and trailer from rolling backward and causing a collision.
Ram’s diesel lineup of trucks also includes smart breaking technology that enhances the truck’s stopping power in a variety of driving conditions. The smart breaking technology is designed to prevent collisions by alerting drivers to potential forward collisions. Another significant upgrade is the Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go technology. Unlike standard cruise control, adaptive cruise control allows drivers to set their speed and the distance they want to maintain from vehicles ahead. If that speed or distance is breached, the truck automatically slows until the threshold is once again reached.
Choosing Ram
With Ram’s reputation for offering the utmost in power and performance, it’s no surprise why so many drivers choose Ram for their towing and hauling needs. Ram’s diesel truck lineup continues to impress, from the two diesel powertrains to the technology suite that’s designed to give drivers more confidence behind the wheel. For the ultimate towing power, there are very few who can come close to the Ram 3500, and the 1500 still provides plenty of power wrapped in an alluring package. This is what makes choosing Ram an easy decision among drivers looking for a workhorse that’s ready, willing, and capable.
