2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty; third photo by Howard Elmer. Click image to enlarge

Sidebar: 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Standard Features Manufacturer’s web site Dodge Canada Join the official CanadianDriver Facebook group

By Howard Elmer; photos courtesy Chrysler

Find this vehicle in CanadianDriver’s Classified Ads

Photo Gallery:
2010 Dodge Ram heavy duty

Toronto, Ontario – Following the introduction of the all-new 1500-series Ram truck for 2009 comes the revamp of the Heavy Duty series pick-ups. This new HD has picked up many of the new half-ton’s generational styling cues – not the least of which is the vastly improved interior design and materials. But, in general, the heavy trucks keep more of the iconic “Big Rig” look and if anything add capacity in every area – payload, towing and people moving.

One further addition to this new-gen Dodge update is the fact that the company is also moving its HD trucks into a larger market, namely the medium-duty Chassis Cab segment that services the specialty and vocational trades. This news is good for that user group but it also bestows certain advantages on the most popular 2500 and 3500 trucks (that are used by recreational haulers and trades people) – design features which might otherwise not have made it into production.

Dodge chose the Toronto International Auto Show to introduce this new truck – with its chief designer on hand to point out several new body cues, including the one-piece stamped fenders for the new 3500-series dually pickup box. The mid-size 2500/3500/5500 chassis cab models with clean-back-of-cab design will be of great interest to vocations such as ambulance and fire departments – right through delivery and service vehicle builders. Dodge made sure that this market is aware that it has already added a much needed feature to this 2010 Dodge – a new full-size four-door crew-size cab – offered for the first time. Strange, but true: Dodge, has traditionally offered regular, Quad cab and the over-size Mega Cab but not a true Crew. Being that in the HD segment crew cabs are ordered more than 50 per cent of the time, it’s a feature that was overdue for Dodge.

In 2006, Dodge introduced its Mega Cab, which added 50 cm (20 in.) to its then-largest Quad Cab offering. Today the Mega Cab remains, but the Quad Cab has been dumped in favour of the new Crew that sits squarely between the regular and Mega Cab mimicking the most popular four-door cabs offered by GM and Ford. These three Dodge cab offerings can also be matched to two cargo-box sizes (6’4” or 8-foot). As for trim – there are five distinct levels – ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie and Power Wagon.

Pages: 1 2

next >> View full article on one page Share |