While this is an evolutionary step for the Ram HD, with its powertrain and platform carryover and new inside/outside facelift, strategically it could position Dodge well against the new Super Duty and Silverado/Sierra HDs around the corner. With all its turbodiesel engine development behind Dodge, ready to meet the stringent 2010.5 federal emissions standards early, the new Ram HD could carry a significant price advantage when the more complicated and maintenance-heavy urea-injection systems make their debut on overhauled turbodiesels from Ford and GM. Pricing hasn't been announced, but if Dodge is looking to get a bigger share of the work truck market, it'll need to price aggressively and hope this economy and construction industry take a strong upward turn.
There's an opportunity here. And the new Ram HD is definitely a truck ready for a fight.
The Biggest Ram HDs: 4500/5500
If you're looking for a bigger and stronger Ram HD, you're in luck. The same changes headed to the new 2500/3500 Rams are also coming to the commercial-grade 3500/4500/5500 chassis cab HDs as well. If you want a Class 3, 4 or 5 work truck, ready for upfitting as a dump truck, tow truck off-loader, or custom project, the new truck offers myriad configurations. Ram HD chassis cabs have a standard exhaust brake, PTO capability, 77-gallon (52 standard + 22 optional) fuel capacity, and a 26,000-pound GCWR - not a bad platform to use when you want to build the ultimate tow rig. All 4500/5500 models are equipped with the Cummins 6.7-liter I-6 and are 50-state emissions legal (with a little help of urea injection), and 3500 (standard with 5.7-liter Hemi) trucks are offered as duallys. Look for pricing to be out later this spring.
| HEAVY-DUTY PLAYERS |
| | 2009 Chevy Silverado HD 3500 | 2010 Dodge Ram HD 3500 | 2009 Ford Super Duty F-350 |
| Diesel supplier | GM (Duramax) | Cummins | Navistar |
| TD engine | 6.6L OHV 32-valve V-8; cast-iron block, alum heads | 6.7L OHV 24-valve I-6; cast-iron block/head | 6.4L OHV 32-valve V-8; cast-iron block/heads |
| Horsepower | 365 hp @ 3200 rpm | 350 hp @ 3000 rpm | 350 hp @ 3000 rpm |
| Torque | 660 hp @ 1600 rpm | 650 hp @ 1500 rpm | 650 hp @ 2000 rpm |
| Max payload | 5300 lb | 5100 lb | 5730 lb |
| Transmission (auto) | 6-speed | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Fifth-wheel max tow | 18,500 lb | 18,500 lb | 18,800 lb |
| Lowest available gear | 3.73:1 | 4.10:1 | 4.30:1 |
| Max GVWR | 11,400 lb | 12,200 lb | 13,000 lb |
| Opt TD pricing | $7,195 | $6200 (est) | $6,895 |