2011 Dodge Ram Chassis Cab Preview

The 2011 Ram Chassis cab is a leader in the heavy duty truck segment, the versatility of the Ram Chassis Cab is unsurpassed. The Ram Heavy Duty is aimed at commercial and fleet users, and buyers of serious, diesel-powered chassis cabs; upfitter friendliness and low maintenance costs are best in class. The 2011 Dodge Ram chassis cabs will continue to use the previous generation's proven chassis and frame, but with more comfort, higher capabilities, and more body options, including a crew cab.  The Dodge Ram Chassis Cabs 2011 models will have the new styling and interiors, building of the trucks began in April 2010, and they will arriving in dealerships in the second quarter of 2011. The 2011 Ram 3500 will have best in class 26,000 pound GCWR and 13,000 pound GVWR; upfit capability remains the same despite the new styling. In chassis-cab service, the engine meets 2010.5 emissions standards in 50 states, thanks to diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection based on urea injection Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology.

Heavy Duty Ram Power

The 2011 Ram 3500 will have a choice of Hemi or Cummins diesel, with a base weight of 5,913 - 7,474 lb. Diesel adds around 700 lb to base models, and 4x4 adds 200 lb; increasing capability and the crew cab account for the rest of the spread. Ram 4500 and 5500 have a standard diesel. Thanks partly to a new six-speed transmission, chassis cab gas mileage has been best in Class 4 and Class 5 - 14% better than Ford F-550 and 23% better than GMC C5500. Still, the 2011 Dodge Ram will have the largest standard fuel tank (52 gallons). Power-wise, the Cummins engine has the same ratings as the Ford Super Duty diesel. The standard diesel has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, the best in its class. The base alternator increased from 136 to 180 amps. Ram Chassis Cabs come with a proven six-speed Aisin automatic transmission (with 3-year/180,000-mile warranty) or a six-speed manual transmission.

Ram HD Handling

For lower maintenance and better stopping power, the Ram 4500/5500 has the largest front brake rotors (390 mm) and calipers (66 mm), and a standard diesel exhaust brake. The standard diesel 24,000 lb. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and optional 26,000 lb. GCWR package are both best-in-class on 3500. The ride was greatly improved through re-tuned suspension components; handling under a full load was also beefed up. Fluid-filled hydro-mounts under the cab reduce beaming and bounce over rough surfaces. The 6.7 Cummins turbodiesel will be essentially unchanged, but with a new particulate feature that slashes nitrides of oxygen by 90%; in the pickups, the engine produces 350 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 650 lb-ft of torque at a stunning 1,500 rpm. With the G56 manual transmission, the Cummins puts out 350 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque; with the chassis cabs, 305 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. With more control, the six-speed manual transmission achieves a high-ratio sixth gear for longer highway cruising. The Aisin torque converter now locks up in PTO mode for better fuel economy and speed control while using aerial lifts and air compressors; customers also have the ability to program a precise engine RPM that is activated immediately when the PTO is engaged.

2011 Dodge Ram Chassis Cab Design

Engineered to deliver precise feel and response for better handling, the Dodge Ram Chassis Cab's steering and suspension system boast superb strength with a focus on improved load capacity, increased durability and refined handling. Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models feature a recirculating ball system that provides precise response and an on-center steering feel through lower internal friction. Maintaining its common architecture for commercial applications, the one-piece C-channel rear-frame rail's riveted crossmembers provide more durability than traditional welds or bolts. In addition, rivets allow for easy removal and/or replacement of components during upfits and modifications; and using the industry standard 34-inch spacing without the "gotchas" of raised surfaces allows for easy adaptation of add-ons designed for other trucks. All chassis components are below the frame surface. The tailgate is sculpted for better air flow, incorporating a spoiler in the upper part of the sheet metal. This tailgate also accommodates an available back-up camera for convenient trailer hook-ups and includes a lift-assist feature that makes raising and lowering a one-hand operation. Standard bedrail protection is included with both the 6-foot-4-inch. and 8-foot cargo boxes. The boxes now feature bedrail caps that protect sheet metal from dents and scratching. External mirrors are sculpted to produce a more useable area, with aerodynamic benefit and less noise. Mirrors are equipped with turn-signal indicators, memory function, puddle lamps and adjustable convex mirrors. Depending on trim level, mirrors are finished in black, or black and chrome. The larger 7-in. x 11-in. mirror for trailer towing is standard on 3500 models and available on 2500 pickups. These mirrors flip up and out into a vertical configuration for trailer-tow use. Front fenders and headlamps of the new 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are shared with light-duty pickup models.

Inside the Ram HD Chassis Cab

The cabin of the 2011 HD Ram is upgraded, with optional heated/ventilated front seats; heated rear-seats and steering wheel; automatic temperature control; two-tone upholstery; memory seats, radio and mirrors; navigation; adjustable pedals and numerous infotainment options including Backseat TV(tm) with three channels of programming, uconnect tunes with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and a first-in-segment 10-speaker surround-sound system. Numerous storage options include in-floor storage.  The 2011 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs now feature four all-new upfitter switches integrated on the instrument panel; each is linked to an auxiliary Power Distribution Center (PDC) under the hood which includes one fused 20-amp battery feed and one 20-amp fused relay controlled by the ignition. Two switches are ignition-fed and the remaining two are either battery or ignition. Switch outputs are under the hood. A seven-circuit trailer harness and a special upfitter jumper cable - a wiring harness for ancillary power needs -- are both standard.

Conclusions

The 2011 Ram Chassis Cab is greatly improved from the previous year. This truck is the ultimate in upfitter capability. Fuel and brake lines are routed together on the frame's driver side to make better use of space along the frame. Both standard and optional fuel tanks feature a through-the-frame fuel filler (external on the mid-ship tank) allowing virtually any upfit without the need for additional modification. The new urea system is placed in unused space, out of the way and under the cab for added upfitter convenience. It handles extremely well for its size, and, relatively speaking, gets excellent mileage. The new truck will be available in the later part of 2010. Visit the official 2011 Ram Chassis Cab site for the latest updates on this truck.