By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos FCA US
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty is the most powerful and capable pickup in the segment with a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. and a payload capacity of 7,680 lbs. The new Ram Heavy Duty also sets benchmarks in ride and handling, luxury, innovation and technology extending well past any competitive offerings.
Exterior
For 2019, there will be no mistaking the Ram Heavy Duty with its light-duty counterpart. Sharing no exterior sheet metal and with a new barrel-chested profile and monolithic grille, the 2019 Heavy Duty creates a bold and unique appearance that customers can call their own. Interlocked with the new, lighter aluminum hood, a much larger and more aggressive front grille opening leads with confidence and strength. A prominent straight brow design across the top of the truck establishes a strong road presence.
The Ram Heavy Duty is available in six different grille styles with a complete departure from the historic crosshairs. The new front bumper is cut with larger openings, providing greater airflow to the largest turbo intercooler Ram has ever adapted to its halo pickups. More than 20 sensors surrounding the new Ram Heavy Duty are seamlessly integrated to make them less visible. On certain trim levels, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty incorporates a sensor on average every three feet. Fog lamps are pushed to the corners and larger tow-hook openings allow easy access when the truck needs to work. Below the bumper, a removable air dam is one-inch lower than the predecessor to reduce wind resistance on the underbody.
Above the lamps resides a new raised aluminum hood. The result, a more upright, lifted chest and shoulders appearance that builds on the Ram’s big-rig stance. The elevated hood also better directs air away from the wiper area improving overall aerodynamics and reducing wind noise.
The side of the truck flows with trademark Ram style. A drawn body-side character line ties together the front fender and cab doors. A creased line at the rocker serves as the two-tone paint border and is styled to accent new wheel flares and body-side molding. An all-new interlocking side-step design incorporates deep tread patterns and a R-A-M logo.
A full-width stamped-steel rear bumper underlines the rear of the truck. The improved design integrates a larger stepping pad on the corners and creates a lower step-in height on the center of the bumper for easy access to the bed. The new hidden lower-bumper valence cleverly hides park sensors away from the chrome bumper, matching efforts in the front bumper.
Interior
For 2019, all-new features, technology and premium materials help the redesigned Ram Heavy Duty continue its interior leadership with quality, technology and luxury. Each trim level is uniquely characterized to reflect individual identity.
The new instrument panel combines a strong, structurally interlocking appearance covered in softer forms, pushing the central controls up and toward the driver within the cabin, improving overall reachability of system controls. As a centerpiece, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features the Uconnect 4C NAV on a 12-inch fully configurable touchscreen with tailor-made graphics for various Ram models. The touchscreen can display one application, such as the navigation map, across the whole 12-inch screen, or can be divided in half, operating two different applications at once. Redundant HVAC controls are located on both sides of the display and a new enhanced-ergonomic switch bank now offers toggle buttons with up to six auxiliary switches for improved feedback and appearance.
Additional center stack designs include the standard 5-inch display or 8.4-inch display. All-new rotary knob HVAC controls complement the multifunction screen with improved usability and design. Above either system is a larger upper-dash storage tray designed to hold sunglasses or a smartphone and includes a 12-volt-powered outlet. A second sunglass-storage location exists in the new overhead console.
Across all trim levels, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty features push-button start and a redesigned rotary e-shifter dial HEMI V8 models only. The new shifter area also intelligently groups new feature buttons, including Hill Descent Control, axle lock and transfer case controls, when equipped. Diesel-equipped Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a chrome-accented column shifter with available leather wrap. The new steering wheels relocate gear-limit shift controls for easy access with right thumb.
With up to 258 liters of interior storage volume on the exclusive Mega Cab including two bins behind the rear seats, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty offers more than 120-percent additional storage capacity versus the closest competitor. A reimagined center console is a usable, complex piece of art with more than 12 different storage combinations. Up from 19.7 to 22.6 liters, the console includes a wider docking area with optional wireless charging, which can hold a small tablet or smartphone. A three-position sliding cup-holder tray can be stowed under the center armrest to reveal a deep storage tub designed to hold a 15-inch laptop. Lifting the lid of the center armrest also reveals an additional lined storage compartment sized to fit a tablet and/or hang full-size files. At the rear of the console, there are two additional cup holders, which include a tablet holder for rear passengers.
Powertrain
Buyers of the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty pickup have a choice between the proven and robust 6.4-liter HEMI V8 gasoline engine, or the high output versions of the new 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6, offering unparalleled flexibility.
The standard engine in the 2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty is upgraded to the proven and potent 6.4-liter HEMI V8, delivering 410 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm to handle the payload and towing requirements of the heavy-duty truck user. Mated to the electronically controlled TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 employs variable cam timing technology to deliver the optimal blend of power and comfort regardless of the load and terrain.
Fuel Saver Technology deactivates four of the engine’s cylinders during light acceleration and cruising to optimize fuel economy, yet quickly reverts to full eight-cylinder operation when power is demanded. Fuel use is further optimized with interactive Deceleration Fuel Shut Off, which stops fuel flow to the cylinders when decelerating.
The Cummins 6.7-liter inline-6 Turbo Diesel in the new 2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty is offered in two variants, the standard output 370 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm/850 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,700 rpm and high output 400 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm/1,000 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,800 rpm.
Changes begin at the core, with a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron. Using compacted graphite iron instead of grey cast iron produces a cylinder block that is stronger and better able to dampen vibrations yet weighs less. Overall, the new Cummins Turbo Diesel weighs more than 60 lbs. less than the previous generation engine yet delivers more power and torque.
An all-new exhaust manifold is the mounting point for an improved variable-geometry turbocharger with laminated heat shields, delivering boost pressure up to 33 psi. The new fuel-delivery system includes a new 29,000 psi fuel pump and fuel rail. The Cummins Turbo Diesel uses ultra-low sulfur-diesel fuel and a new Selective Catalytic Reduction emission treatment system.
Summary
The Ram Heavy Duty pickup is the first to break the 1,000 ft.-lb. barrier and tow more than 35,000 lbs. But comfort does not take a back seat to capability in new Ram Heavy Duty pickups. Ram has improved the towing and hauling experience by focusing on confidence-inspiring features and class-exclusive vehicle safety.
For 2019, the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty truck was designed from the outset to deliver the segment’s highest levels of capability without compromising comfort. With 35 all-new and 21 class-exclusive features, Ram combines benchmark performance with strength, luxury and technology.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $50,650.00, the one I drove the 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X2 Long Box, included the Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat Exterior Paint ($100.00), Leather Trim Bucket Seats ($545.00), Towing Technology Group ($1,095.00), Safety Group ($795.00), Sport Appearance Package ($895.00), 5th Wheel / Gooseneck Towing Prep Group ($445.00), Laramie Level 2 Equipment Group ($3,995.00), Tri-fold Tonneau Cover ($695.00), 4.1 Axle Ratio ($145.00), Power Sunroof ($1,095.00), LED Bed Lighting ($165.00), Uconnect 4C NAV with 12 Inch Display ($1,995.00), Dual Rear Wheels / 17 Inch x 6-Inch Wheels ($1,295.00), Spray-in Bedliner ($565.00), and it came in at $66,170.00 including destination charge $1,695.00.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
