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www.arborage.com ARBOR AGE OCTOBER 2014 45 TRUCKS RAM 2015 HEAVY DUTY MODELS Ram takes heavy-duty towing and hauling seriously. Ram 3500 models will offer increased torque ratings of 865 lb.-ft. and an increased payload of 7,390 pounds, while maintaining a class-leading maximum tow rating of 30,000 pounds. "Ram maintains leadership throughout its pickup line by offering best-in-class fuel efficiency with our Ram 1500 EcoDiesel at 28 MPG, best-in-class towing at 30,000 pounds, best-in-class power at 865 lb.-ft. and best-in- class payload at 7,390 pounds with our Ram 3500," said Bob Hegbloom, head of Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Ram owns best- in-class attributes in the areas that are most important to truck customers." Working closely with Cummins, a more aggressive fuel delivery and turbo boost calibration to the 6.7-liter I-6 produces an additional 15 lb.-ft. of torque. This improvement places the coveted engine ahead of the competition with 865 lb.-ft. of torque, while maintaining performance and EPA compliance. The Ram 3500 continues towing leadership at 30,000 pounds and adds a new notch in its belt with a chart-topping payload of 7,390 pounds. The payload claim was made possible by challenging the Ram 3500 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 pickup with an increase in GVWR of 100 pounds, now 13,800 pounds GVWR. "Ram has driven innovation in the heavy- duty segments and intelligently engineered a better truck than our competitors, including a 30,000-pound towing monster," said Mike Cairns, director — Ram Truck Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. "Our 2015 Ram Heavy Duty trucks own all three relevant titles in the segment: towing, payload and power, while delivering an impressive level of comfort and features unavailable elsewhere in the market." Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature frames built with high-strength 50,000-psi steel, including eight separate cross-members, hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails for optimal strength and mass efficiency. Chassis controls on the Ram Heavy Duty ensure reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) measurements and improved ride and handling characteristics. Standard electronic stability control (ESC) on single and dual rear-wheel equipped trucks, and body-to-frame hydro-mounts provide improved ride quality. Heavy-duty trucks generally have suspension equipped for constant, heavy payloads. This leads to a harsher ride when unloaded. The Ram 2500 takes lessons learned from the Ram 1500 with a segment- exclusive five-link coil rear suspension system. Loaded or unloaded, the five-link coil system provides best-in-class ride and handling. The five-link coil design incorporates support at all major points of force. The design of the five-link coil system functionally resists unwanted axle rotation. Additionally, the Ram 2500 offers a rear air suspension system for automatic load leveling and greater versatility. The Ram 3500 continues to feature the rear Hotchkiss leaf spring system, but offers a supplemental air suspension system (late availability). By adding supplemental air bags to the rear suspension, Ram engineers were able to soften the leaf springs, allowing for more unladed suspension movement — even with a best-in-class 30,000-lb. trailer. In the front, the Ram Heavy Duty line features an advanced three-link front suspension to ensure roll stiffness. Greater roll stiffness, also known as body roll, is an important characteristic in taller vehicles and especially trucks with heavy payloads. Roll stiffness is measured by the amount the truck's body tips side-to-side, independently of the wheels, during cornering. The Ram Heavy Duty comes equipped with robust engine, transmission and body mounts, including pioneering hydro-mounts at C-pillar positions for class-leading NVH characteristics despite the truck's aptitude for higher payloads and towing. Ram Heavy Duty customers can enjoy the convenience of an exclusive cargo camera, power folding mirrors and a combination, power rear-sliding window with defrost. Also, central locking includes the RamBox cargo management system and tailgate power locks, creating a convenient solution for locking all exterior doors and storage with one push of a button. Auto rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam headlamps also are available, adding to a truckload of content offered in Ram Heavy Duty.