Towing with the 3500

2019 Ram 3500: the inline 6-cylinder

When we decided to travel full-time we had an idea of what truck to buy. My husband is a trained mechanic and grew up working on vehicles like a religion. He knows his shit. So, let me share how we landed on the 2019 Ram 3500.

First and foremost, we went with the 3500 given our plans to travel full-time. The truck needed to pull like spreading butter, and it does. We hardly know it’s behind us (other than obsessively checking in the mirror). The engine and transmission are built for high combustion, high temperature environments, because it’s a diesel. Pulling up a mountain pass with 3,000 foot elevation? With grace. No overheating, not blow gaskets or seals, just a smooth ride. Oh wait, it’s a 3500 with leaf springs.

Okay, the ride isn’t smooth at all. For goodness sakes I can’t even put my lipstick on while moving. But that’s because of the stiff leaf spring system designed to handle lots of weight. Our towing capacity is a whooping 21,450lbs. No problem for our 30ft travel trailer and family of fours crap!

But it gets better. This is no ordinary Ram. It’s the turbo i6. Inline 6. The torque will knock grandma’s socks off and rocket your truck and trailer to the moon. Merging with an idiot? No problem, make that turbo spool.

Going downhill and burning your brake pads? Not us with an automatic Jake-brake.

But the crème de la crème… it’s an IRON block. Chevy, ford, and GMC have aluminum. I’m not sure who sat back and said, “let’s use aluminum foil for something that requires so much heat and pressure.” (Okay obviously it’s not foil, but for god sakes, and aluminum block??)

Let’s talk about the cons. While this is the second generation in terms of emissions, slightly more advanced than the first gen, but still a system we wish we didn’t have. Did anyone say def? Make sure to pencil that into your budget.

Really, other than budget, there is no reason not to buy a diesel Ram 3500. It’s truly the perfect towing vehicle.

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