The 2018 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup has received upgrades that put it at the top of its class when it comes to torque and towing capabilities, the company announced. A revamp to the optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine pushes output to a segment-best 930 lb-ft of peak torque, 30 more than in 2017. To fully leverage that extra muscle, Ram Engineering developed a new fifth-wheel tow hitch that allows the 3500 Heavy Duty pull up to a 30,000-pound trailer.
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To get the extra torque, the revised Cummins V8 now has a higher boost limit thanks to a new variable-geometry turbo unit and an increased fuel-flow rate. Ram points out these changes do not impact efficiency or durability. With a 30,000-pound capacity, the new fifth-wheel hitch will permit the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup to haul a trailer that previously could only have been handled by a Class 4 or Class 5 truck. The new hitch costs $1,395 as part of an upfit package. For the record, the 2018 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty has a max tow rating of 20,000 pounds using a conventional hitch or 31,210 pounds with a gooseneck alternative.
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"Ram maintains capability leadership by delivering the highest-ever torque rating for a pickup truck and heaviest fifth-wheel trailer towing capacity," noted Mike Manley, head of Jeep and Ram brands for FCA. "We understand the attributes most important to our customers within the heavy-duty segment; they demand hard-working, long-lasting capability.” The 2018 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup arrives in dealerships this month.
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