Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A white 2022 Ram 3500 is shown towing heavy machinery and wood beams.

Ram Brings Down the Hammer With the Ram 3500

It seems like only yesterday that Motortrend was bestowing “Truck of the Year” on the 2020 Ram 3500. Receiving this unique honor isn’t something easily obtained and doesn’t get handed out without hard work, perseverance, and being the best. We’re two years removed from the Ram 3500 receiving this unique distinction, and the world is a much different place. Covid restrictions have been lifted, and people are beginning to get out and live their lives to the fullest once again, and for some, there’s no better life than one that includes tackling the hardest jobs and the most arduous of tasks. If this is the life you lead, then the 2022 Ram 3500 is the truck for you.

A grey 2022 Ram 3500 Limited is shown from the rear parked in an empty lot.

That’s One Spicy HEMI!

As expected, an extraordinary truck like the Ram 3500 needs an engine that’s anything but ordinary. Not to worry, just as they’ve done in the past, Ram equips their vehicles with horsepower and unrivaled toughness in the form of the HEMI V8. Mopar motors have been the driving force behind many of the blur collar workhorses of the past, and the Ram 3500 is no different.

For some, size matters, and the Ram 3500 comes standard with a 6.4L V8. This is one workhorse with plenty of ponies and pull to tackle whatever life happens to throw your way. 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque are enough to move mountains and make the earth grovel before you. While being one of the hardest workers you’ll ever come across, this HEMI lacks for nothing when it comes to the performance that’s become synonymous with the engine. And all of this power is available at just the base engine, and it gets even better from there.

If you’re looking for a throwback that will throw away the competition this year, then you might consider equipping yourself with the 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. While diesel engines have seen a renaissance in the past few years, this is better used for knocking down castle walls than painting the Sistine chapel. The base diesel engine gives you 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque, but there is a more robust, high-output version of this engine too. The heaviest weapon in Ram’s arsenal commands 420 horsepower and an unbelievable 1,075 lb-ft of clean diesel torque. If you have a job that others call impossible, it’s time to put that word to the test.

Towing Capabilities

For so many people in the working world, what a truck carries underneath the hood is nowhere near as important as what it can accomplish in terms of towing and payload. Luckily, both of those attributes exceed any and all expectations with the Ram 3500. More than once, the Ram has been hailed by many as the best towing vehicle in its class. Upon closer examination of the towing and payload capabilities, we can safely assume that 2022 will be no different.

It was a few short years ago where the Ram stunned the world with a towing capacity of 31,000 lbs. Understandably, that outranks the competition by a decent margin and would make the hardest job look rather easy. A new year means new expectations and new levels to strive for. Ram has no interest in being complicit with their achievements, and this year the maximum towing capacity has been raised to over 37,000 lbs with the high-output diesel engine under the hood. We know that’s a lot to take in, so we’ll give you a few moments to collect your thoughts.

As far as payload is concerned, Ram is still delivering the goods and allowing you to do the same. On the low end of the spectrum, your payload is still impressive, with the high-output diesel model maxing out at 6,570 lbs. However, if you’re someone who does the really big jobs that require great strength, the HEMI engine model will surely suffice with up to 7,680 lbs of payload capacity.

If you’re a 5th wheel owner or an avid camper, trust the Ram 3500 to get to your location safely, on time, and with load-carrying ability to spare. An available rear air suspension makes hooking up the big toys easier than they’ve ever been before. Factory-installed integrated towing hardware means hookups will be easy and efficient. An available 360-degree trailer monitoring camera will allow you to keep an extra close eye on whatever you’re hauling.

The grey and black interior of a 2022 Ram 3500 Limited shows the front seating.

Safety and Comfort

Having a safe ride should always be at the forefront when it comes to searching for the ideal vehicle. While a good choice should always be practical with your basic necessities being met, there’s something special about having some comfortable amenities that make your commute easier, especially when the going gets rough.

The interior of the Ram 3500 is spacious, with over 40 inches of legroom on every trim. This means that whether your passengers are tall, short, or somewhere in the middle, they’ll be comfortable on those long trips. An available 900-watt sound system with 17 speakers will transform your truck cab into a concert hall, with no fancy dress code to keep you out. Even if you’re heading to the great outdoors, the fresh air will begin long before you reach the lake with a soothing air filtration system to breathe easier and filter 95% of dust particles from your personal space.

While you’ll be comfortable on the road ahead, you’ll also be safe with a wide variety of standard safety features. Because not everyone is experienced when it comes to handling a truck like the 3500, Ram has outfitted this workhorse with driver assistance technology that will be a great asset when you’re on the road. Some of our favorite features include:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop: Tailgating on the road can be dangerous, especially in poor weather conditions, and sometimes you might find yourself getting too close to the vehicle in front of you when utilizing regular cruise control. Adaptive Cruise Control will allow you to maintain a safe distance on those long trips down the expansive highways and can stop if necessary.
  • Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking: Life can change at a moment’s notice, and being prepared makes all the difference in the world. These two features working together will spot when a collision is imminent and will apply brakes to lessen the impact. This also works when a trailer is attached so as not to damage you or the cargo you’re carrying.
  • LaneSense Lane Departure Warning: This warning system will help ensure you and what you’re towing stay in your lane. If you start drifting from your lane, this system will send out an alert to catch your attention and can gently guide you back into your designated travel space.

You Need the 2022 Ram 3500

With an improved towing capacity and earth-moving engines, the Ram Ram 3500 once again establishes itself as the ideal vehicle for towing, trailering, and all-around adventuring. As we get back to a state of relative normalcy and take to the road, expect Ram to be the one carrying the weight of the working class on its shoulders. This truck is built to handle whatever you can throw at it, so whether you need to tow your large trailers to a show, are bringing the boat to the lake, have a load of gravel to complete your landscaping project, or just like a vehicle that is large and in charge, the 2022 Ram 3500 is the vehicle for you.