Segment:
Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck
Target Audience:
Commercial users, fleet owners, individuals requiring significant towing and hauling capability.
Competitors:
Ford F-Series Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD.
Heavy Duty Construction:
Designed for robust performance in demanding applications.
Powerful Engine Options:
Available with potent gasoline and diesel powertrains.
Towing Hauling Capability:
Class-leading towing and payload capacities for its segment.
Engine Systems:
Detailed information on the operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting of all available engine options (e.g., 5.7L HEMI V8, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel).
Transmission Systems:
Coverage of the automatic transmission (e.g., 68RFE for diesel, W5A580 for gasoline) including operation, fluid checks, and basic care.
Braking Systems:
Information on the hydraulic brake system, ABS, and parking brake operation.
Electrical Systems:
Details on the battery, charging system, lighting, fuses, and basic electrical component locations.
Suspension Steering:
Overview of the suspension and steering systems, including tire pressure monitoring and basic adjustments.
HVAC Systems:
Instructions for operating the climate control system, including air conditioning and heating.
Infotainment Controls:
Guidance on using the radio, CD player, and any available navigation or Uconnect systems.
Safety Features:
Explanation of airbags, seat belts, child restraint systems, and other safety equipment.
Instrument Panel:
Detailed explanation of all gauges, warning lights, and indicators.
Towing Hauling:
Essential information on towing capacities, trailer braking, and load balancing.
Routine Maintenance:
Instructions for checking and topping off fluids, checking tire pressure, and inspecting lights.
Fluid Checks:
Guidance on checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
Tire Care:
Information on tire rotation, inflation, and wear inspection.
Fuse Replacement:
Instructions for locating and replacing blown fuses.
Bulb Replacement:
Guidance on replacing common exterior and interior light bulbs.
Keyless Entry Operation:
Instructions for using and maintaining the keyless entry system.
Emergency Procedures:
Information on what to do in case of breakdowns or accidents.
Cleaning Care:
Recommendations for interior and exterior cleaning and care.
Depth:
Owner-level information focusing on operation, basic maintenance, safety, and troubleshooting of common driver-encountered issues. Does not include in-depth repair procedures or diagnostic codes typically found in service manuals.
Gasoline Option 1:
5.7L HEMI V8 (360 hp @ 5600 rpm, 400 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm)
Diesel Option 1:
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 (350 hp @ 3000 rpm, 650 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm)
Torque Emphasis:
Focus on high torque output for towing and hauling, particularly with the Cummins diesel.
Gasoline Fuel System:
Multi-point fuel injection
Diesel Fuel System:
High-pressure common rail direct injection with turbocharging and intercooling
Diesel Cooling:
Includes exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) for emissions control.
Gasoline Transmission:
6-speed automatic (W5A580)
Diesel Transmission:
6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (68RFE)
Transmission Options:
Various transmissions dependent on engine and drivetrain configuration (2WD/4WD).
Tow Haul Mode:
Automatic transmission feature designed to improve performance when towing or hauling heavy loads by adjusting shift points and engine braking.
Wheelbase:
Varies by configuration (e.g., 140.5 inches for Regular Cab 8' box, 160.5 inches for Crew Cab 6.3' box)
Overall Length:
Varies by configuration
Overall Width:
Approx. 79.1 inches (excluding mirrors)
Overall Height:
Approx. 78.1 inches (depending on configuration)
Bed Length Options:
6'3" (short bed) and 8'0" (long bed)
Curb Weight:
Varies significantly based on configuration, typically starting around 6,000 lbs for 2WD models and higher for 4WD diesel variants.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Up to 13,500 lbs (depending on configuration and axle ratio)
Conventional Towing Capacity:
Up to approximately 12,450 lbs (with proper equipment and configuration)
Fifth Wheel Gooseneck Towing Capacity:
Up to approximately 18,450 lbs (with proper equipment and configuration)
Payload Capacity:
Up to approximately 5,000 lbs (depending on configuration)
NHTSA Rollover Resistance:
Typically 3/5 stars for 4WD models (subject to specific configuration and testing)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Traction Control:
Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control.
Airbags:
Front airbags, side curtain airbags (depending on cab configuration).
Seat Belts:
Three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Child Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for child seats.
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input. Optional SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Navigation:
Optional factory-installed navigation system available on higher trim levels.
Rear Park Assist:
Optional rear parking sensors and camera system available.
Uconnect:
Uconnect Voice Command and Bluetooth connectivity available on select trims.
Oil Change Gasoline:
Typically every 3,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, depending on driving conditions and oil type (refer to manual for exact recommendation).
Oil Change Diesel:
Typically every 7,500-15,000 miles or 12 months for the Cummins diesel, with shorter intervals for severe duty (refer to manual for exact recommendation).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Recommended every 30,000-60,000 miles, depending on transmission type and usage (check manual).
Coolant Change:
Typically every 30,000-100,000 miles or 2-5 years, depending on coolant type (refer to manual).
Engine Oil Gasoline:
SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30, API SN certified (consult manual for specific grade).
Engine Oil Diesel:
API CJ-4 or CK-4 certified synthetic diesel engine oil, SAE 15W-40 (consult manual for specific grade).
Transmission Fluid Automatic:
MS-9602 (ATF+4) for gasoline models, specific heavy-duty ATF for diesel models (consult manual).
Coolant Type:
Mopar OAT (Organic Additive Technology) Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant, 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Diesel Egr Soot Buildup:
Common in diesel trucks with EGR systems, can lead to reduced performance and check engine lights. Regular cleaning or modification may be considered.
Transmission Shifting Issues:
Some owners reported occasional rough shifting or delayed engagement, especially with higher mileage units.
Suspension Wear:
As with any heavy-duty truck, suspension components like ball joints and tie rods can experience wear over time, particularly under heavy use.
Dodge Trucks:
Dodge has a long history of producing durable and capable trucks.
Ram Evolution:
The Ram 3500 is part of the Ram truck line, which was historically sold under the Dodge brand. In 2010, it was still designated as a Dodge Ram.
Fourth Generation Introduction:
The fourth generation of the Ram pickup (DS platform) debuted for the 2009 model year, marking a significant redesign.
Assembly Locations:
Saltillo Truck Assembly, Mexico, and Warren Truck Assembly, Michigan, USA.