3 Reasons to Buy a Used Ram Heavy Duty Truck

If you typed “used trucks near me” into the search engine, there’s always a possibility that you’re looking for a cute little pickup truck to do some minor towing and hauling––but probably not. Many used truck buyers are looking for a strong and capable model that can tackle livestock trailers, large campers, and other heavy items without going into debt. This is where the fourth-generation Ram heavy-duty models come in. More specifically, we recommend the 2013 and later Ram 2500 and 3500 models if you’re looking for strong towing capacity at an affordable price. Caught your attention yet? Let’s take a look at the features that make these Ram trucks perfect for heavy-duty lifting.

Who Needs Heavy Lifting Capacity?

First off, before we dive deeper into this, let’s differentiate general towing capacity from heavy-duty towing. While not every vehicle comes with a tow rating, a majority of models do––even smaller models such as crossovers and small SUVs. All trucks include some towing capacity, but midsize and half-ton trucks tow less than a heavy-duty model will. Midsize models such as the Ford Ranger or the Chevy Colorado are meant more for casual truck driving and off-roading due to their lightweight nature. They can tow and haul, but their capability is minimal. When you’re farming or need to tow and haul large items such as livestock or heavy machinery, you need something more powerful. That’s where the heavy-duty Ram models come in.

#1 – Impressive Suspension Systems

Now that you know what you need in a truck and why, let’s look at the first important feature that the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty offers––suspension. A solid rear suspension is important to have when you’re towing or hauling. Most of towing or hauling weight lies on the Ram’s rear section, meaning that your rear suspension receives a lot more wear and tear than the front does. Many drivers look to upgrade or replace their stock suspension for this reason, but the Ram Heavy Duty includes standard stock systems that keep you from needing to purchase and install aftermarket suspension systems.

The fourth-generation Ram 2500 comes with a class-exclusive five-link coil spring rear suspension system, and the Ram 3500 includes a Hotchkiss leaf spring rear suspension system. The five-link coil spring system is designed to make your ride smooth and comfortable, whether you’re towing 500 lbs or 15,000 lbs. The leaf spring suspension increases payload capability, which is part of what helps the 3500 model tow and haul even more than the Ram 2500, but it does have a slightly rougher ride when unloaded.

Available rear suspension systems include the Auto-Level Rear Suspension System for both the Ram 2500 and 3500 models. This is an available add-on for Ram Heavy Duty trucks that can aid in performance and handling when you’re tackling large loads. You’ll get two modes with this Auto-Level Rear Suspension System: Normal Load-Leveling Mode and Driver Selectable Alternate Ride Height Mode. This class-exclusive system for the fourth-generation Ram adjusts the ride height based on whether you’re hauling or towing. Use Normal Load-Leveling Mode for hauling and Alternate Ride Height Mode for trailers as it lowers the hitch one inch to accommodate your trailer height.

Since you’re looking for used trucks, you can’t add on these available features, so the Ram’s “available” suspension options may or may not be present on your chosen model. Be sure to ask us to see which suspension system option is included in the used trucks you are interested in.

#2 – Great Towing Technology Features

The towing world is changing. Before, you only needed a truck with a powerful engine and great suspension, but now, towing technologies are also important to factor into your purchase. While you may not want fancy luxury features such as heated seats or driver-assist technologies, towing tech is a whole other story. It can help you see better, assist your Ram’s towing performance, and keep you safer when you’ve got a heavy load.

First off, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty truck for towing, you’ll want to get a Ram with Trailer Towing Mirrors. These are huge 7-inch by 11-inch extendable mirrors that help you see around your trailer. Whether you’re towing a large, fifth-wheel camper or a livestock trailer loaded with cattle, these mirrors are essential. These mirrors are also power-folding, so you can retract them when you need more clearance space. Be sure to ask us if we have any used Ram models with Trailer Towing Mirrors.

Speaking of fifth-wheels, the 2017 Ram comes with an optional Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package that works with the Mopar fifth-wheel hitch. While you can always add your own fifth-wheel hitch later, scoring a used Ram with one of these options pre-installed can save you both time and money. Plus, since Mopar is Ram’s official aftermarket part supplier, you can trust the hitch’s quality long-term.

The fourth-generation Ram also includes something called a “Cargo-View Camera,” which allows you to view your truck bed area. Whether you’re hauling cargo or you need to check on your fifth-wheel hitch, this camera view can help. It’s available on both the 2500 and 3500 models.

#3 – Powerful Engine Options

Like most heavy-duty trucks, the Ram Heavy Duty models include more than just one engine option. In fact, you can find used Ram trucks with several different engine configurations. Keep in mind though that there’s a very big difference between the gasoline engine options and the diesel options when it comes to towing capacity.

Don’t get us wrong, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engines can certainly tow, but compared to the diesel engine, they do pale in comparison. A 2017 Ram 2500 with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 can tow up to 13,890 lbs, while the same model with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 can tow up to 16,320 lbs. A dually 2017 Ram 3500 can handle plenty of payload, maxing out at 7,390 lbs, making it a great model option if you’re more focused on payload capacity than hardcore towing. A good example of this type of situation is if you own a truck bed camper and don’t need to tow anything heavier than a fishing boat or speed boat.

If you’re really looking for maximum power, though, for farming or other heavy-duty endeavors, the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel is your best bet. With this engine, a 2017 Ram 2500 model can tow up to 17,980 lbs, and a Ram 3500 can tow as much as 31,210 lbs. This is right up there with brand-new heavy-duty truck models, but you’re getting all that power at a much lower price. Plus, diesel engines are known for their long-lasting capability and are able to handle many more miles than a traditional gasoline engine can.

You’ll get impressive torque no matter which engine you choose; that said, the Ram’s turbo-diesel engine offers roughly the torque that the gasoline engines can offer. As you likely know, torque is incredibly important when you’re towing and hauling, especially when you’re pulling something heavy uphill. It really just depends on how much power you need, but most heavy-duty towers prefer the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel. This engine has roots all the way back to 1919 and is part of what makes the Ram such a desirable heavy-duty truck option.