When you think of heavy-duty trucks, what model immediately comes to mind? The 2020 Ram 3500 holds a coveted place among the top-performing heavy-duty trucks on the road, and for good reason. The Ram 3500 is one of the most powerful pickup trucks in its segment because of the impressive Cummins I-6 turbo diesel engine under the hood. With a towing capacity of up to 35,100 lbs, as well as its interior comfort, technology, and safety features, it’s easy to see why the Ram 3500 is a top pick among drivers.
Five Trims
One of the biggest selling factors of the 2020 Ram 3500 is that it comes in five trim options to meet every need and budget. The Tradesman, which is the entry-level trim, starts at $35,345 and is followed by the Big Horn that starts at $39,445. The Laramie is next in the lineup and includes a variety of features that reflect its higher starting MSRP of $50,900. From there, the Laramie Longhorn starts at $58,300, followed by the Limited, which starts at $63,000. You can get this truck as basic or as feature packed as you want it to be with any of these trim options.
Extra Special Edition
For drivers looking for something beyond the standard trim packages, Ram answered the call with the 2020 Ram Heavy-Duty Limited Black Edition. This blacked-out edition is everything you can imagine, from its black front grille to its 17-in or 20-in painted black wheels. The interior screams luxury with its detailed black trim and plush seats. On the exterior, Ram enhanced the look with black accents, including matte black tailgate badges and black tow hooks that blend seamlessly with the truck’s overall design. If you are a fan of blending in with the night, this is the trim for you.
A Look Under the Hood: Performance
Ram recognizes that not every truck is equal, and that’s why they offer three powertrain options to meet various driving, hauling, and towing needs. The first option is the 6.7-liter high-output Cummins turbo diesel I-6 engine that pairs exceptionally well with the Aisin six-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers outstanding power with over 1,000 lb-ft of torque and 400 horsepower. It also offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 35,100 lbs and a maximum payload of 6,570 lbs.
The second powertrain option delivers less power and is the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 engine. So, how much does the standard Cummins lag behind the high-output Cummins? The standard Cummins produces 850 lb-ft of torque and 370 horsepower, which reduces the maximum towing capacity to 22,670 lbs. However, the standard Cummins boosts the maximum payload capacity by nearly 300 lbs to offer up to 6,840 lbs of hauling ability.
The third powertrain option is the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. While this engine might be the least powerful of the three, it performs exceptionally well for a base engine, delivering 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. It offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 18,210 lbs with an impressive payload of up to 7,680 lbs, which is the most of all three powertrain options.
Ram Delivers on Technology
While it’s easy to think that a heavy-duty truck like the Ram 3500 will produce a lot of interior noise, especially with a Cummins engine, that isn’t the case with the 2020 model. The 3500 features active noise cancellation that minimizes vibration and noise to enhance the experience for the driver and passengers. But that’s only the beginning of the impressive technology in the Ram 3500.
The 2020 Ram 3500 also offers an available 12-in touchscreen, which is the focal point of the front dash and makes connectivity seamless in the heavy-duty truck. As the hub of technology, the touchscreen features a customizable home screen as well as a split-screen capability for enhanced viewing. For drivers who prefer physical buttons and controls to the touch screen, Ram included buttons along the base of the screen for quick access.
With the touchscreen as the hub of connectivity, drivers can seamlessly connect their smartphones to the truck using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These features enable drivers to make calls, play music, and send text messages at the touch of a button. Other technology features include access to SiriusXM, which sounds phenomenal from the 17-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Audio System.
Not only does the Ram 3500 contain outstanding technology, but it also helps you contain your technology during your commute. The reconfigurable center console will allow you to store your laptop with ease when going from one site to another. There is even a smartphone and tablet docking area to place and wirelessly charge your device while you drive. As a bonus, you will also find a three-position sliding cup holder tray that you can remove and stow under the center armrest when you want the space for something else.
Peace of Mind Behind the Wheel: Safety
As one of the most luxurious trucks on the road, the Ram 3500’s luxury doesn’t end with its interior and extends to its advanced safety features that offer drivers peace of mind. At the core of these features are a variety of alerts and driver assist features that make driving a breeze. From bumper-to-bumper, the Ram 3500 is ready to protect you and your passengers.
Starting at the front, the Adaptive Forward Lighting System ensures high visibility for drivers in low-visibility conditions. The LED lighting system features innovative technology that automatically increases the brightness of the lighting by 15 degrees during evening hours. You won’t have to worry about driving at night or in bad weather with these lights to guide your way.
The 2020 Ram 3500 also features Forward Collision Warning and Active Braking to help drivers avoid potential collisions by applying emergency braking or enhancing the driver’s braking. Adaptive Cruise Control makes long drives easier by allowing drivers to maintain a determined distance from vehicles ahead. The truck automatically detects when the distance you set decreases and adjusts the truck’s speed to maintain a safe distance.
New for 2020 is Ram’s LaneSense technology, which features a lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. This feature alerts drivers when the truck drifts into another lane without the use of a turn signal. Additional safety features include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, and ParkSense Front and Rear Park Assist, the latter of which enables drivers to park and maneuver the oversized truck in small spaces easily.
Loyal Customers, Loyal Brand
The 2020 Ram 3500 is praised as one of the best heavy-duty trucks on the road. This goes hand-in-hand with Ram’s reputation for putting the highest percentage of pickup trucks on the road over the last three decades. So, how does Ram do it? By giving customers exactly what they want in a truck, Ram has built one of the highest owner loyalty ratings of any truck brand. This means that Ram 3500 owners continue to turn to Ram for their truck needs because Ram delivers performance, comfort, power, agility, and luxury time and time again.
The Heavy-Duty 2020 Ram 3500
If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty truck capable of hauling heavy loads while still providing exceptional power and performance, look no further than the 2020 Ram 3500. The newest heavy-duty Ram offers five trim packages as well as a Limited Black Edition that appeal to every need and budget. The various powertrain options, as well as the enhanced safety and technology features, make the Ram 3500 a solid choice for those looking for a reliable truck that’s no stranger to hard work and pulling its weight on the road.
