Chrysler announces incredible 30,000lb towing max for 2013 Ram 3500

The 2013 Ram 1500 has been busy over the past few months scoring awards from all sorts of automotive authority but today, the Chrysler Group announced a new towing capacity for the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty that makes the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 the most capable trucks on the market today – with a maximum towing capacity of 30,000 pounds.

The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty lineup for the non-commercial segment is comprised of the Ram 2500 and the Ram 3500 – both of which have been beefed up for the 2013 model year to make them the most capable vehicles in their respective segment. Both the 2500 and 3500 Ram pickups are powered by the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine that has been upgraded for the new model year with the result being an impressive torque output of 850lb-ft. This figure makes the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty the most powerful truck in the class compared to Ford’s Power Stroke with 800lb-ft and GM’s Duramax at 765lb-ft but more importantly – this ultra powerful Cummins engine makes the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 the most powerful trucks in the segments.

First off, the big news is that the 2013 Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel can tow an incredible 30,000 pounds with the optional 5th wheel bed-mounted hitch assembly. This accounts for a substantial increase from the 22,750 pound maximum towing capacity of the 2012 Ram 3500 but far more importantly – this 30,000 pound max towing capacity of the 2013 Ram completely blows away the competition. The 2013 Ford F350 can tow a maximum of 22,800 pounds while the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD can pull 23,100 pounds (numbers taken from Ford, Chevrolet websites). In a segment where a few hundred pounds can make the difference between someone buying a Ford or buying a Chevy, the 2013 Ram has an advantage of almost 7,000 pounds over the two cross town competitors. The 2013 Ram 3500 towing capacity of 30,000 pounds is also more than the capacity of the 2013 Ford F450, which can tow “only” 24,700 pounds.

The Chrysler Group engineers have achieved this astonishing towing capacity with a new high strength steel frame, a beefier transfer case, a retuned transmission that will handle the additional load and the upgraded Cummins Turbo Diesel. The Cummins powered Ram Heavy Duty lineup also benefits from a new cooling system that includes a high efficiency cooling fan, dual radiators, twin transmission coolers and a new intercooler that helps to greatly reduce the engine intake air temperature.

"We built the new 2013 Ram Heavy Duty to be the undisputed Heavy Duty 'King of the Road.' These new rigs deliver on the number one key attribute most critical to these customers: uncompromising capability,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “Towing capability, reliability and engine performance are ranked first through third, respectively, with HD customers. The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty trucks unequivocally deliver all those things, as well as a very low total cost of ownership.”

In addition to the 30,000 pound towing capacity that makes the 2013 Ram 3500 far and beyond the best in class, the new Ram HD also offers the best Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 37,600 pounds. This number is the combined weight of the truck, the trailer, the contents of the trailer and the contents of the vehicle – both in the bed and in the cabin. The GCWR of the 2013 Ford F350 is 30,000 pounds while the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 offers a GCWR of 30,500 to the new Ram Heavy Duty is 7,100 pounds better than the closest competition.

While a 30k max towing capacity makes the Ram 3500 the top dog in the non-commercial trucking world, the 2013 Ram 2500 also benefits from these new features to make it the most capable truck in the ¾ ton segment. The new Ram 2500 equipped with the revised 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine can tow 18,350 pounds while offering a GCWR of 25,000 pounds. The Ford F250 offers a maximum towing capacity of 16,800 pounds with a GCWR of 23,500 pounds while the Chevy Silverado 2500HD can tow 17,800 pounds with a GCWR of 24,500 pounds.

Finally, helping the 2013 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 to handle all of this weight, all of the new Ram Heavy Duty trucks are fitted with stronger front axle shafts, the Ram Active Air Intake system and a fully revised front and rear suspension setup featuring new leaf springs from Hotchkiss. Oh, and the super powerful 2013 Cummins Turbo Diesel has an oiling system that only requires an oil change every 15,000 miles.

The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty will make its grand debut next week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.