When you're using a pickup for work, it had better be tough and capable - and in most cases it had better be able to pull its own weight and much, much more from jobsite to jobsite. For 2021, Ram has put the focus on towing power, giving the Heavy Duty truck line plenty of pull for hauling equipment or material.
The 2021 Heavy Duty offers up a maximum towing capacity of 37,100 pounds when equipped with a gooseneck hitch, along with 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque.
"Ram regains capability leadership by delivering the highest ever torque rating for a diesel pickup truck and heaviest gooseneck towing capacity," said Mike Koval Jr., Head of Ram Brand. "We understand the attributes that are most important to our customers within the heavy-duty segment; they demand hardworking, long-lasting capability."
Ram worked with engine manufacturer Cummins to give its 2021 diesel engines higher boost limits through a variable geometry turbo and flow rate increases through the fuel delivery system, enabling the 6.7-litre I-6 to produce an additional 75 lb.-ft. of torque. This improvement ranks the Cummins engine ahead of the competition with 1,075 total lb.-ft. of torque, Ram states, while maintaining the diesel's hallmark durability and efficiency.
To give the new truck the strength needed for pulling, Ram focused on upgrading the rear of the Heavy Duty frame, which includes fully boxed rails and the rear-axle strucutral crossmember with provisions for a fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch. The optional fifth-wheel and gooseneck hardware is fully integrated into the production box floor and includes fifth-wheel pucks, gooseneck bolt plates and gooseneck centre castings. Additionally, the standard 4/7-pin trailer connector at the bumper and an additional 7-pin connector are integrated into the rear of the bed to easily wire a trailer (included in fifth-wheel/gooseneck option).
Another addition for 2021 is the digital rear-view mirror, which displays video in real time from a rear-facing camera - it can be turned off to revert back to a traditional reflective mirror if so desired. The digital rear-view is available on all Heavy Duty models.
Inside Ram Heavy Duty pickups, interiors are refined and use premium materials for added luxury and comfort. Ram's Uconnect 4C NAV with a 12-inch reconfigurable touchscreen features tailor-made graphics for various Ram models and state-of-the-art connectivity. Personalization is made easy with the split screen, allowing two different applications for desired configuration, such as Apple CarPlay and HVAC controls, or one application, such as navigation across the entire 12-inch touchscreen.
An available covered external power source (400W 115-volt, three-prong) is located at the left rear corner of the bed. This plug features a water resistant lid and includes a 400W inverter.
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty maximum gooseneck and conventional hitch maximum trailer weight ratings for 2021 are 37,100 pounds (16,828 kg) and 23,000 pounds (10, 433 kg), respectively.
