The 2011 Ram Heavy Duty models, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, are comfortable and highly capable, ready for serious towing or heavy-duty hauling. Thoroughly revised for 2010, the 2011 Rams boast proven technology while benefiting from some minor updates. A new Ram Outdoorsman model expands the 2011 Ram 2500 and 2011 Ram 3500 lineup.

Ram Heavy Duty models received a major overhaul for the 2010 model year along with refinements throughout. The Crew Cab got larger, giving Ram a unique cab lineup in the segment. The Ram Heavy Duty was restyled for 2010 to go with the new 2009 Ram 1500 light-duty. The Ram Heavy Duty is not identical to the light-duty trucks, but many interior and some sheetmetal parts are the same. The regular and crew cab interiors are also very similar.
For 2011, the biggest change is the introduction of the new Outdoorsman, a Ram packaged for use by hunters, fisherman, campers, and boaters. The Ram Outdoorsman replaces the TRX and is available in many Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 configurations.

Most of the parts and technology on the 2011 models have been proven in earlier Rams. The cabin was launched in the 2009 Ram 1500, and the engines, transmissions and brakes are evolutionary versions of the 2009 heavy-duty models. The gasoline engine that comes standard is the most powerful base engine in big pickups. The optional Cummins turbodiesel met current emissions requirements years ago. The diesel engines from both Ford and GM are new, and both of them require a fuel additive the Ram diesel pickup does not. Only the Ram offers a choice of transmissions with the diesel. With Ford and GM you get the automatic. Some drivers who pull heavy trailers say you get better reliability on steep hills with a manual. We prefer the automatic, however.

Much attention has been devoted to ride comfort and quiet on the 2011 Ram HD, and it is noticeable. The feature lists, both standard and available continue to grow, as pickups become ever-more car-like inside: heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, Sirius Backseat TV and so on. But don’t confuse this with a car because it is substantially larger and will not ride softly even if you load it up. That said, we found a 2011 Ram 3500 rode very nicely while towing a 6,000-pound trailer.

Officially, Chrysler no longer refers to its full-size pickup as the Dodge Ram. It’s now just the Ram. We may still refer to the Ram as a Dodge because we haven’t figured out how to change a model name to a brand name, but Chrysler does not.

A new 2011 Ram Chassis Cab is coming in the Fall.  The 2011 Ram Heavy Duty Chasis Cab is arriving soon, and it is specifically aimed at commercial and fleet users, buyers of serious, diesel-powered chassis cabs; upfitter friendliness and low maintenance costs are best in class. These trucks 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. 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. 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, just off idle (automatic transmission). 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.

The interior was naturally 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.