Ram has become the first manufacturer to adopt the Society of Automotive Engineers SAE J2807 protocol for determining maximum tow ratings across the entire range of 2015 Ram 1500/2500/3500 pickup trucks. While Toyota has been using this SAE test spec since 2011 on its pickups, Ram is the first brand to include heavy-duty models.
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The SAE J2807 standard employs a battery of objective performance criteria that more closely reflect real-world usage conditions to establish an official tow-rating number. Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, says the firm’s decision to go all-in for 2015 was the result of customer demand for more meaningful — and verifiable — comparative figures. It’s a move that may spark similar adoption from other players in the lucrative pickup game.
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In making this transition, Ram reports that existing max-tow ratings for all models was unchanged or actually increased. Its V6-powered half-ton 1500 pickups trucks — gasoline and turbodiesel – lead the segment in fuel economy and towing capacity, the former with 25-mpg/7,600-pound ratings and the latter with 28-mpg/9,200-pound marks. The three-quarter-ton 2015 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty with its 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel boasts best-in-class tow (17,970 pounds) and payload (3,970) numbers while the one-ton Ram 3500 Heavy Duty with the 6.7-liter Cummins engine tops all of its Ford/GM HD rivals with a 30,000-pound maximum towing capacity.
More full-size Pickups…
Bolder, better and lighter, an all-new 2015 F-150 goes on sale later this year
The 2014 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 pickups have earned NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
The Toyota Tundra gets a comprehensive mid-life revamp for 2014
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