5 Things to Consider When Upgrading to a Heavy-Duty Ram

If you’re leaning toward a heavy-duty truck for your next purchase, you’re obviously in the market for a powerful pickup. Whether you’re looking for a work truck or a pickup that can handle carrying your family and towing your family’s mobile home during camping season, when you start looking at the Ram 2500 and 3500 models, you’re in for a treat. As your heavy-duty truck dealer, we can tell you that Ram trucks are not only the most durable and capable pickups on the market, but their heavy-duty models take power and intimidation to a whole new level.

Ram trucks are currently in their fifth generation, and it’s the best one we’ve seen yet. Ram trucks have been among the top pickups on the market since they were first introduced, garnering a solid set of fans along the way. So, are you interested? We’ve put together a buyer’s guide with the five most crucial factors you should take into account if you’re considering switching to a Ram 2500 or 3500 heavy-duty truck model.

#1: Capabilities

First off, it’s no secret that Ram trucks are highly capable and powerful beasts. Since we know that’s what matters most; we’ll start our discussion there. Because the fifth-generation heavy-duty Rams, which are the 2019 models on, are the most capable of all of them, we’re going to keep our attention on those models over older generations so we can go more in-depth on what you can find with newer models.

One of the significant changes between generations has been powertrain upgrades. For the 2019 model year, heavy-duty Rams started coming standard with the larger 6.4L HEMI V8 engine, dropping the smaller 5.7L HEMI V8 from the lineup entirely. First introduced as an option in 2014, the powerful 6.4L HEMI gives Ram the most standard horsepower of any truck in the segment.

The optional 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel was also carried over from the previous generation, but it was improved, bringing output to 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque for the normal turbo-diesel variant or 400 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque for the high-output option. The base turbo-diesel gives you the power to tow up to 20,000 lbs with the Ram 2500 or up to 22,670 lbs with the Ram 3500. However, choosing the high-output turbo-diesel will bring that max rating up to 37,100 lbs with the Ram 3500. Max ratings will change depending on model year and configuration.

Besides the off-road-ready Ram 2500 Power Wagon, which comes standard with four-wheel drive, the heavy-duty Ram is fitted with two-wheel drive but can be had with four-wheel drive for even more flexibility with the roads you can travel on. This means after a long week of hard work, you and your Ram truck can take to any of the local trails on the weekend with ease. Journey to Trabuco Canyon or to the 3N16 trail located in San Bernardino National Forest, which will provide you ample pit stops to stretch your legs while venturing down a few of the many hiking trails for some quiet time with nature. Plus, with the option for an adjustable air-ride suspension with both the Ram 2500 and 3500, no matter whether you’re traveling on gravel, rock, or pavement, you can expect a smooth ride in your truck.

#2: Size

As a pickup truck, you’ll have numerous cab and bed configurations to choose from for your Ram 2500 or 3500, no matter which generation you fancy. Regarding the fifth and most recent generation of Ram trucks, the 2500 and 3500 are offered with a two-door Regular Cab with an 8-ft long bed, a four-door Crew Cab with the long bed or the 6-ft 4-in standard bed, and an even larger four-door Mega Cab which is equipped with the smaller bed. If the purpose of your heavy-duty truck is primarily for work, with few, if any, passengers, then you can save yourself a few dollars with the three-seater Regular Cab with the largest bed option for enough space to haul around 74.7 cu.ft. of whatever you need to. However, if you’re looking for a truck that can handle work during the week but accommodate the family after hours, then the spacious Mega Cab, which seats up to six passengers, will do the trick. Although, the five-seater Crew Cab with the longer bed is a great alternative if you don’t need that sixth seat and need more than just the 57.5 cu.ft. of space to use in the cargo bed that you get with the standard bed size.

Besides just the number of seats the Crew and Mega cabs have to offer, the amount of space the back seat passengers have is what differentiates them. The Regular Cab only has the front to worry about with a roomy 40.9 in of legroom, but when you have people in the back, especially youngins, you’re going to want plenty of room for each of them to stay as comfortable as possible for as long as possible so you can enjoy the ride. The Crew Cab, unfortunately for your passengers, offers less rear legroom than the front, with only 40.2 in. While that might not seem bad, especially for a truck, the Mega Cab provides a generous 43.1 in for the rear passengers for a total exterior length of 249.9 in. But don’t worry; there are plenty of assistance features to help maneuver such a massive beast around, even in congested traffic or tight spaces.

#3: Style

You didn’t think the customization ended with powertrain and body configurations, did you? Ram is known for providing plenty of trim packages to choose from so that every driver can drive home a model that’s perfect for them, even in style. While there’s no avoiding the intimidating and bold exterior design the heavy-duty Rams boast, you can tame the beast with premium features by opting for the top-tier Limited model, which includes genuine leather seating and real wood accents. Or exploit its power with the most rugged trim of all, the Power Wagon, which is only available with the Ram 2500. The Tradesman is the most basic of your options, followed by the Big Horn, which includes more standard features than the base model, then there is the mid-level Laramie. For a taste of western luxury, there’s either the Limited Longhorn for the 2021 and newer models or the Laramie Longhorn for models made before 2021. No matter what your budget, style preferences, or feature necessities might be, there’s a heavy-duty Ram truck out there waiting for you to drive it home.

#4: Interior Accommodations

Back in the day, trucks were specifically designed for work which meant their interiors lacked character, style, and amenities. Not anymore. Today, pickups can be just as accommodating and luxurious as a car or an SUV. However, Ram reigns superior in providing high-class amenities with its mainstream trucks, and with numerous trim levels and configurations, drivers can experience a luxurious working truck that they can fit into their budget.

Besides the premium quality materials like genuine leather versus plastic or vinyl like other brands offer, you’ll find in every Ram heavy-duty a variety of high-class features. Some examples include a variety of infotainment systems with varying sizes, functions, and features that vary depending on trim and upgrade availability. There are a few audio systems to choose from, such as the top-of-the-line Harman Kardon audio system with more than a dozen speakers (the number varies depending on the model year). Don’t forget all the connectivity features you could possibly need, such as plug-and-play and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. You’ll even have the option for a panoramic sunroof, multiple seating configurations to utilize the rear seat for cargo instead of passengers or a combination of both, and so much more.

#5: Safety

Although feeling pampered in your truck is definitely a plus, no vehicle should be conservative with safety features. Even when the fifth-generation heavy-duty Rams were introduced in 2019, the Ram 2500 and 3500 offered the most active safety features in the segment, including:

Adaptive Cruise Control to keep your truck at a safe distance from other vehicles while staying with the flow of traffic
Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning to warn you and help you bring your truck to a stop to avoid a frontal collision
Blind Spot Monitoring for the length of a trailer with Rear Cross-Path detection so you know if there is a vehicle around you even when you can’t see it

These are only a few of the Ram 2500 and 3500 safety features. Other active and passive technologies are also included in these trucks to support your driving. The 360-degree surround vision camera with trailer reverse guidance provides a bird’s eye view of the area around your pickup and trailer, and the headlights can be turned up to 15 degrees for a better view in the dark or on uneven terrain. Not to mention trailer tire pressure monitoring and a payload camera for monitoring what is in the truck’s bed.

Is a Heavy-Duty Ram Truck Right for You?

Are you in the market for a truck with best-in-class horsepower and torque that can outperform most in its class when it comes to towing, hauling, and even off-roading? Do you mind driving an enormous monster truck that can swallow approaching traffic, is long enough to carry loads of tools and materials, and is equipped with a variety of assistive technologies to make maneuvering in confined spaces and crowded streets difficult but not impossible? Can you handle a variety of options to choose from regarding the design and style of your truck? Do you prefer premium quality, comfort, convenience, and safety features with even a base model versus outdated and lackluster amenities you’ll get with some trucks? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we think you should check out one of our Ram 2500 or 3500 models because, as a heavy-duty truck dealer, we’re certain the Ram will suit you perfectly.