Work Truck Magazine names Ram Chassis Cab Medium Truck of the Year

Work Truck magazine today named the Class 4 and 5 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab truck its 2011 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year.
By: Waldorf Dodge
 
March 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Nineteen vehicles were included in an online ballot and voted on by professional fleet managers, who were asked to consider which medium-duty truck model best fit their fleet requirements, including application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance, and lifecycle costs.

"The commercial truck segment is all about total cost of ownership," said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck President and CEO and Head of U.S. Sales - Chrysler Group LLC. "When you account for fuel economy, brake wear, tire wear and the best powertrain warranty in the business, Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the lowest cost of ownership."

The May/June issue of Work Truck magazine will feature a complete article on the Medium-Duty Truck of the Year award.

30,000-lb. GCWR and Max Tow

The new Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab GCWR upgrade is part of an optional “Max Tow” package, and is available on both regular and crew cab models and in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

The Ram Max Tow package includes a new transfer case gear set and chain and sprocket upgrades, recalibrated transmission software and an enhanced collection of thermal management devices.

Max Tow is available on Ram Chassis Cab trucks equipped with the optional, commercial-grade Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and 4.88 rear-axle ratio. A 4.44 axle is standard on 4500 models and not available with the Max Tow package. A class-exclusive six-speed manual transmission is standard on Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab models.

The 30,000-lb. GCWR gives the Ram Chassis Cab a 4,000-lb. increase in trailer-towing capabilities, up to a maximum of 22,300 lbs. on a Ram 4500 or 5500 Chassis Cab equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and unsurpassed GCWR on Class 4 Chassis Cab trucks.

Ram also offers a Class 3 Chassis Cab truck. Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks are powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 and will add a new six-speed automatic transmission in 2012 that will increase GCWR to 20,000 lbs. – a 3,000-lb. increase -- as well as provide an increase in fuel economy. With a standard 383 horsepower, 400 lb.-ft. of torque 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the Ram 3500 Chassis Cab delivers best-in-class horsepower and torque. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is available an option on Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks.

Designed for Towing

Ram Chassis Cab trucks are specifically designed for towing, with features such as the strongest exhaust brake in the industry – 49 percent stronger than the nearest competitor -- and the largest brake rotors and pads in their class. Ram has also upgraded the trailer brake controller on Chassis Cab trucks to include electric over hydraulic capability, to further enhance its towing ability.

“Customers are always focused on towing more,” added Diaz. “It’s a simple matter of economics. More towing and payload means fewer loads. And fewer loads mean lower fuel bills. For commercial customers, cost of ownership is a primary consideration.”

Among Ram’s best-in-class features:

• Best-in-class standard Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 19,500 lbs.
• Ram Chassis Cab brakes last twice as long as the competition under severe use
• Ram Chassis Cab trucks have 160 percent less brake fade than the competition
• Ram Chassis cab trucks stop in less distance in both wet and dry conditions when carrying a heavy payload
• The Ram Chassis Cab’s diesel exhaust brake is more effective than the competition’s
• Ram Chassis Cab offers a better turning radius – by 10 feet – than competitors
• Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the largest standard fuel tank – 52 gallons for superior operational range
• Ram Chassis Cabs offer the lowest cost of ownership in the segment, based on significant owner expenses, including fuel economy, brake wear and tire wear
• Ram Chassis Cab trucks come with the best powertrain warranty in the business: five years / 100,000 miles

Upfitter Friendly

Improving upfitter-friendliness, 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature four all-new upfitter switches integrated on the instrument panel. Each of these four upfitter switches are linked to an auxiliary Power Distribution Center (PDC) located under the hood which includes one fused 20 amp battery feed and one fused relay-controlled 20 amp ignition. In addition to these feeds, the PDC supports four new customizable switches. Two switches are ignition-fed and the remaining two are either battery or ignition. Switch outputs are found under the hood in a connector for further ease of upfit. A seven-circuit trailer harness and a special upfitter jumper cable – a wiring harness for ancillary power needs -- are both standard.

Electrical connections are user-friendly thanks to one fused battery feed and one fused ignition feed routed into the cab and to the rear of the chassis. Upfitter wire circuits and electrical schematics are identified in the Body Builder Guide. With built-in tandem PTO capability, all models feature a heavy-duty cooling system in order to meet additional heat loads that are often generated from PTO upfits and/or extreme hauling.

Ram Chassis Cab also employs an intelligently engineered, Cummins commercial-grade DEF system that is placed out of the way of upfit zones, saving time and money in the upfit process.

Special Paint Colors Available

Based on customer demand, the Ram Truck brand has added a number of special, low-volume paint colors, including “National Fire Safety Lime Yellow” to its commercial truck palette.

Ram Truck manufacturing operations can fulfill special paint orders with a minimum batch size of 10 trucks, although any one customer may order as few as a single vehicle.

Programmable Features

For 2012, the Ram Chassis Cab has a customer-selectable maximum speed. Ram Chassis Cabs can be ordered from the factory with or programmed by a Ram Truck dealer at no charge with either 55, 60, 65, 70 or 75 mph speed limits. Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks have a best-in-class standard 87 mph top speed, an important feature for fire, ambulance and other safety and rescue roles.

A five-minute shutdown timer is also available.

About the Ram Truck brand

With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.

The Ram Truck brand is further enhancing its commercial vehicle presence with a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

Business Link

With a network of more than 480 dealers, Ram Truck BusinessLink features dedicated commercial account managers and sales teams, priority next-bay service and maintenance, extended hours, free loaner vehicles and inventories with a higher mix of work trucks and commercial vehicles.

On The Job

The Ram Truck commercial vehicle program provides incentives and discounts to assist customers in purchasing, servicing and customizing their Ram Trucks. Small businesses can save big with On The Job allowances on all Ram Truck models:

• Up to $1,000 commercial equipment upfit allowance
• Up to $1,000 Chrysler Service Contract allowance
• Up to $1,000 Mopar certificate allowance

Waldorf Dodge Ram, under present ownership since 1995, is one of the largest Dodge and Ram dealers in the Mid Atlantic, continuing to grow by providing great customer service to  local Dodge and Ram owners.  Waldorf Dodge Ram is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, MD and online at http://www.waldorfdodge.com.

Additional information and news from Chrysler is available at http://www.media.chrysler.com.
End
Source:Waldorf Dodge
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Location:Waldorf - Maryland - United States
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