drittal wrote:
His DRW truck has 10,500 GVWR. Over class IIb, no where near class IV. So how can anybody say it's GVWR is for tax reasons???
Even though his RAWR is ~3,000lbs greater than the SRW variant the GVWR only went up 400lbs.
Then in 2013 Ram upgrades the frame and suddenly GVWR jumps?
How can anybody argue that this truck with a GVWR of 10,500lbs was given that rating to stay in its class III rating when it's closer to IIB than IV?
Ram upgraded frame, upgraded front and rear suspension...GVWR went from 12,300# to 14,000#...all perfectly legal..why the surprise..entire frame was strengthened .
Information put out on 2013 3500 Dually...has gotten even better since.
"Ram's 2013 heavy duty pickups, the Ram 2500 and 3500, have upgraded powertrains, lighting, creature comforts, utility, and electronics. The Ram 3500 shot past Ford and Chevy pickups’ maximum tow rating of 23,100 pounds to a stunning 30,000 pounds, enabled by a new 50,000 pounds-per-square-inch, high-strength steel frame, a stronger transfer case, a higher-load transmission (Aisin AS69RC), larger front drive shafts and U-joints, an upgraded Cummins diesel engine, and other upgrades."
"The 6.7 liter Cummins straight-six turbodiesel has been upgraded, and comes in three different power levels, matched to the transmission. All of them have a substantial torque boost from 2012’s maximum of 600 lb-ft.
All 2013 Ram Heavy Duty diesels benefit from a new cooling system, which uses a high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers, and a low-slung charge air cooler to raise heat-rejection capacity by 25%, delivering higher performance and durability.
The Ram Active Air intake system, triggered by the computer, draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle when it senses extreme heat; it also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response. When conditions are wet, the system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, dry and clear of snow packing.
The 2013 Ram Heavy Duty has a higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) than before, continuing the capacity race with GM and Ford. To support the greater weight, the Ram Heavy Duty's front drive shafts and U-joints are larger, and the Ram 3500 has a 11.8-inch rear axle matched with the high-output diesel engine. This axle boasts a 300-mm hypoid gear set, a 4-pinion helical differential, and a finned aluminum cover for thermal management.
A segment-exclusive front axle disconnecting system disconnects select drivetrain components when possible, allowing a gas mileage increase of up to 1 mile per gallon.
Ram has two new Borg-Warner part-time transfer cases, both of which have a low-range ratio of 2.64 and use a locking differential from front to rear.
The BW 44-46 is an electric shifting part-time transfer case with 2WD, 4WD High, 4WD Low, and Neutral.
The BW 44-47 is a manual shifting transfer case with 2WD, 4WD High, 4WD Low, and Neutral.
Ram 3500 dual-rear-wheel setups are the first in their class to get electronic stability control (ESC).
For 2013, Ram Heavy Duty trucks are using new frames, built with high-strength 50 KSI steel, to increase stiffness, improving noise reduction, ride, and handling. These frames have eight separate cross-members, hydroformed main rails, and fully boxed rear rails.
Wider front frame rails (around one inch per side) allow the front springs to be moved slightly out, to create more positive roll stiffness. The front suspension cross-member is now a two-piece welded component, essentially vacuum formed between the front axle and oil pan. The plated structure's interface to the frame has a weld surface that's twice as large as the previous model. This creates a stiffer, more robust front section, and eliminates the need for reinforcements.
Center frame rail sections are roll-formed, for maintaining strength in less complex longitudinal sections. In the rear portion of the frame, there are fully boxed rear rails and a factory-installed rear axle cross member with provisions for 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches.
The trailer hitch system was upgraded to Class 5 with a 17,000-lb. load capability and 1,800 pounds of tongue weight for use with 2-inch or 2.5-inch receivers.
New front and rear suspensions aid handling and ride. An advanced three-link front suspension on Ram 3500 ensures roll stiffness, contributes to the higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and aids use with heavy front loads, including snow plows. A newly designed Hotchkiss leaf spring rear suspension on the Ram 3500 has better ride, handling, towing, and payload. The hydro-filled cab mounts at the C pillars are 30% larger to cut noise and vibration.
The new reciprocating ball steering gear gives greater durability and control with redesigned steering knuckles, ball joints, and more robust steering linkages delivering an enhanced and precise feel despite the vehicles higher towing and payload capacities.
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all 2013 Ram Truck models with dual-piston calipers all around. Front rotors measure 14.17 inches in diameter, while rear rotors are 14.09.
hope all this helped you to understand a little better,
Jim
