FCA just launched a new salvo in the ongoing heavy-duty truck war, announcing that the latest 2021 Ram HD boasts the highest tow rating in its class with an available gooseneck towing capacity of 37,100 pounds.
By comparison, the latest 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD posts a max trailering (fifth wheel / gooseneck) rating of 36,000 pounds, while the 2020 Ford Super Duty is rated at 37,000 pounds.
Making the higher tow ratings possible on the 2021 Ram HD are a number of updates, including changes to the 6.7L I6 Cummins diesel engine. The diesel engine now include higher boost limits from a variable geometry turbocharger, and flow rate increases in the fuel delivery system as well. The net result of these changes is an additional 75 pound-feet of torque, placing peak output at 1,075 pound-feet.
The new 2021 Ram HD also comes with upgrades to the underlying supports. “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 center castings,” FCA sates.
The Ram HD is equipped with fully boxed rails and a structural rear-axle crossmember to help it handle the high towing capacity. The pickup also comes with a standard 4/7-pin trailer connector in the bumper and an additional 7-pin connector in the rear of the bed for easier wiring options.
“The 37,100-pound tow uprating is made possible by an in-house hitch design from Ram Engineering,” FCA states. “The upgraded capability allows the Ram 3500 to haul the heaviest travel trailers in the industry.”
With a conventional rear-mounted hitch, the 2021 Ram HD can pull 23,000 pounds, while max payload is rated at 7,680 pounds.
Further updates offered by the latest 2021 Ram HD include a digital rearview mirror, which will display realtime video captured by a rear-facing camera to make backward maneuvers easier with a less-obstructed view. The camera can be turned off to provide a traditional reflective rear-facing mirror, if desired.
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Comments
That’s great, but you still need to stop!
When I was selling at the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge store back in 2004/2005, I recall Dodge having a very detailed form that had to be filled out and signed by the customer (no signed paper, no deal). It went over the concepts of towing and the customer had to confirm how much they would be towing and kind of promise they would not tow more. Of course, this was just another type of liability waiver to protect Dodge and the selling dealers. Anyhow, that along with growing up on a farm taught me a lot about proper towing and the biggest take-away for me is that you must also stop and not just tow.
Now working at the Volvo/Mazda store, I just laugh when people ask about installing a hitch on ANY vehicle we sell. My standard answer is to ask them what they plan to tow. If they say anything more than just for putting a bike carrier on, I point blank tell them they should not tow with the vehicle. I don’t care what Volvo or Mazda claims the “towing capacity” is, there isn’t a single vehicle in my dealership that is correctly set up to tow. Everything is front drive and 4 cyl based and without the proper brake or cooling upgrades.
My, what a big peepee we have!
I drive a lot and see lots of wanna be big boys towing big trailers with 1/2 tons and suvs that the mirrors won’t let them see around the trailer, flipped over or upside down because the tow vehicle is too light duty. This is something that there needs to be laws against and enforced.
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First you don’t want to rely on your truck brakes to stop you when towing. Any vehicle made can tow to a point and that is noted by the manufacturer how much rolling and carrying and you don’t want to exceed those limits. Towing limits don’t just apply to commercial either if you get stopped and you have exceeded your length or weight they can fine an individual just as well as commercial. Some states even make it if you are towing you have to pull into the DOT check stations.