2021 Ram 3500 Retakes Torque and Gooseneck Towing Crowns (for Now, Anyway)
Ram announced updates for its 2021 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck that allow it to be the current winner in the ongoing game of musical chairs among Ram, Ford and GM for which heavy-duty truck has the torquiest engine. With help from diesel engine manufacturer Cummins, Ram tweaked the optional high-output turbo-diesel 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder to have a higher boost limit and increased fuel flow, adding 75 pounds-feet of torque to the existing 1,000 for a total of 1,075 pounds-feet. That bests the Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke’s 1,050 pounds-feet and the 910 pounds-feet produced by GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax.
Related: When Should You Upgrade to a Ram 2500?
Best-in-Class Towing
Ram also bests Ford by a narrow margin when it comes to gooseneck towing capacity, with the Ram 3500’s new maximum rating of 37,100 pounds topping the Ford Super Duty’s 37,000, while the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 3500s both max out at a still incredibly high 36,000 pounds. To get that 37,100-pound rating, you’ll have to have a 3500 Tradesman regular cab with dual rear wheels and the 4.10 axle ratio in 4×2 configuration.
Additional Updates
Beyond the tweaks to the Cummins diesel, Ram is making a digital rearview camera mirror available on all Ram HD trucks, providing buyers with the option of either a reflective rearview mirror or a display from a rear-facing camera, useful if the reflective view is obscured by passengers or cargo. A new, limited Night Edition appearance package with black 20-inch wheels, a black grille and blackout trim is also available.
On-Sale Date
The 2021 Ram HD lineup arrives at dealerships this month. Who knows how long Ford and GM will let Ram hold onto its titles before the next round of musical chairs.
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