Ram buyers who presently are looking for the ability to haul more than two people in a half-ton truck are likely looking at the 1500 Big Horn Quad Cab or Crew Cab models. However, if more than half-ton capability is needed, fortunately the 1500 has a set of big brothers. These are the Ram 2500 and 3500 three-quarter and one-ton pickups. These big boys are all about extreme towing, extreme hauling, and, unlike most big pickups, extreme comfort. With a new, stronger frame and powerful standard 6.2-liter V-8 engine, these wide and award-winning rigs can handle everything from industrial jobs to family trips. What’s more, both versions offer the best interior in the segment with luxury-car details and an impressive list of tech features. These are not only the quietest, most comfortable heavy-duty pickups Ram has ever made, they’re also the most powerful.
Engines and performance
Three engines are available in the Ram 2500 and 3500. Standard is a 410-hp 6.4-liter V-8, which makes 429 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an excellent eight-speed automatic. This is the only engine and transmission offered in the four-wheel drive Power Wagon. All other models can be obtained with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six with either rear- or four-wheel drive.
Ferman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram explained that two versions of the Cummins diesel are available. The standard version is available in both 2500 and 3500 models and offers 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. The 400-hp HO version, which is only available on the 3500, makes an incredible 1000 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are backed by a six-speed automatic.
Note that at 1060 pounds, the Cummins engine outweighs the V-8 by 490 pounds, so the diesel models aren’t quite as quick, but they can haul and tow significantly more weight.
Towing and Payload Capacity
With the Cummins HO and its 1000 lb-ft of torque, a Ram 3500 has a class-leading towing capacity of 35,100 pounds and a maximum payload of 7680 pounds. When equipped with that engine, the popular 2500 4×4 Crew Cab model offers a max payload of 2380 pounds and max trailer-weight rating of 19,010 pounds. With the 370-hp version of the Cummins, the 2500 4×4 Crew Cab can haul 3240 pounds and pull 16,870. With the standard V-8, the truck can also handle 3240 pounds, and tow 14,370, which is more than enough for most jobs.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Ram’s extensive number of trim levels and cab styles mean its interior materials, passenger space, and number of in-cabin tech features vary widely. Although heavy-duty trucks from Ford, Chevy, and GMC are also large and luxurious inside, the Ram has the best interior in the segment with luxury-car-level detailing and premium materials. The top Longhorn trim even gets striped wood and gold trim on the dash, doors, and gauges along with the Longhorn logo hand-branded into the wood on the truck’s upper glovebox door. Every Ram HD also comes with standard acoustic glass and active noise cancellation tied into the audio system, and the result is a truck that’s luxury-car quiet inside—even the diesel models.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Ram also packs the 2020 2500/3500 with in-cabin tech that rivals some big-buck luxury sedans and SUVs, including the latest infotainment technology. The Ram’s system offers simple menus and responds quickly to user inputs. The standard infotainment screen is 8” but Ram also offers a giant 12.0-inch reconfigurable touchscreen, which is the largest in the class. For your devices, the truck’s interior features five USB ports and up to three 115-volt outlets, which can handle up to 400 watts to run or charge tools quickly.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Ram 2500/3500 also can be equipped with a long list of driver-assistance features. Most trim levels get standard front and rear parking sensors, while an optional Safety Group package includes forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and lane-keeping assist.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
With a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, the 2020 Ram 2500/3500 gets the same standard coverage as every other Ram truck. Its powertrain warranty, however, covers its gas engine for five years or 60,000 miles and the Cummins diesel engines for five years or 100,000 miles.