What is it? The three-quarter ton and greater versions of the Dodges new full-sized Ram pickups have the largest towing capacity in the industry: 18,000 lbs. for the 3500 and comes in regular, extended, and for the first time crew-cab configurations. Like the new half-ton Ram 1500, the new heavy-duty models have much better fit and finish, and they are said to have much better handling than the old Ram. The new cabin offers such niceties as adjustable pedals with a memory setting, a heated steering wheel, and Chryslers Vconnect Internet connectivity system, which turns the truck into a mobile WiFi hot spot.
What is new or notable: The crew cab has three inches more room than the abbreviated version on the previous Ram 1500. Most work trucks these days have a center console big enough for a laptop computer. The Rams can house a laptop lying flat in the upper compartment, and store hanging files in the lower half.
CR's take: We like the new half-ton Ram 1500 we just finished testing, and the new heavy-duty version has many of the same improvements (though not the coil rear springs that help the 1500s ride).
