2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 First Look | Can Lightning Strike Twice? | Edmunds

We get a first look at the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 ahead of this year's Detroit Auto Show. Towing, engines, tech, and cab choices are all discussed.

Last year's Detroit Auto Show release of the 2019 Ram 1500 "half-ton" pickup was a real eye-opener. We later bought one for the Edmunds long-term test fleet, and it has proven itself to be a new standard for its segment. This time it's the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 that have been fully redesigned, and our expectations are quite high. Could lightning possibly strike twice? Dan Edmunds, our director of vehicle testing, looks them over to find out.


Q: What engines are available in the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500?
A: Last year's base 5.7-liter gasoline engine is out. The new base engine is the 6.4-liter gasoline V8. It makes 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, and it has an eight-speed automatic instead of last year's six-speed. The 2500 offers one optional engine: a 6.7-liter straight-six Cummins turbodiesel that makes 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. The 3500 offers that same engine as an option, too, but it also can be fitted with an upgraded Cummins turbodiesel that makes 400 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Both diesels come with six-speed automatics.

Q: How much can the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 tow?
A: There is no single answer because it depends on which chassis, engine and axle ratio you buy. That said, the absolute maximum tow rating is 35,100 pounds, which is almost 4,000 pounds higher than it was last year. To get that, you'll need to buy a 4x2 3500 with dual rear wheels and the top-level diesel engine, among other things. The maximum for a 3500 with single rear wheels is 26,990 pounds. Those are gooseneck-style hitch ratings, of course. The 2500 truck's maximum rating is 19,780 pounds. Those are all diesel 4x2 regular-cab ratings. Crew-cab and 4x4 ratings are lower.

Q: What are the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 cab and bed combinations?
A: Three cabs are available: regular cab, crew cab and Mega Cab. The Heavy Duty crew cab is not the same as the Ram 1500's crew cab, though. It doesn't have the 4-inch extension and extra legroom that goes with it. Why? Because the 2500 and the 3500 have a Mega Cab option that accomplishes the same thing. As for the beds, there are two: short (6 feet 4 inches) and long (8 feet). They also offer a "box delete" option for fleet customers who want to fit their own custom equipment.

Q: Is the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 still available as a Power Wagon?
A: Yes, the Ram Power Wagon version of the 2500 is still available but only as a crew cab 4x4. And the sole powertrain is the 6.4-liter gasoline Hemi V8 with this year's new eight-speed automatic transmission. Power Wagon equipment includes a lifted heavy-duty off-road suspension, knobby tires, front and rear locking rear differentials, a disconnecting front stabilizer bar and a factory-installed 12,000-pound winch — this year with synthetic rope instead of steel cable. Why no diesel option? The Cummins straight-six is too long to allow the fitment of the disconnecting stabilizer bar and the hidden winch. It's also not necessary when rock crawling because of the torque multiplication effect of low range and low gear.

Read more about the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 here:
https://www.edmunds.com/ram/2500/2019/

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