NAIAS Preview: 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty

Dodge's Ram 2500 and 3500 might not be as acclaimed as the their little brother, the 1500 model, but they still managed to get some important awards like Motor Trend’s “2010 Truck of the Year”, Four Wheeler’s “Pickup Truck of the Year” and the Texas Auto Writers (TAWA) “Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas” during the past year.

For 2010, Ram Heavy Duty is available for the first time in a crew-size cab model, and the truck’s coil-spring suspension up front and multi-leaf spring suspension in the back have benefited from an improved set-up.

Ram is convinced that “customers in the heavy-duty segment have a range of needs, and most of them involve high levels of capability. The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:”

• Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4x4 crew cab diesel models to 9,600 pounds from 9,000 pounds
• Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, auto transmission and 4.10 rear axle to 24,500 pounds from 24,000 pounds. With the Max Tow Package, GCWR increases to 25,400 pounds (late availability)
• Increased GCWR on 3500 4x2 models to 24,000 pounds from 23,000 pounds
• Increased front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on several models:
• To 5,500 pounds from 5,200 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups
• To 5,000 pounds from 4,700 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups

In standard, the Heavy Duty gets the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine, which produces 383 hp at 5,600 rpm and 542 Nm at 4,000 rpm. You can also opt for the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 hp at 3,000 rpm and 881 Nm at 1,500 rpm.