by Chrysler Canada
Beginning with the 2015 model year, Ram – Canada’s Longest-Lasting Pickups, will become the first automaker to adopt the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2807 standardized tow rating practices across all three full-size pickup truck segments, including the ½-ton Ram 1500, ¾-ton Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and one-ton “King of the Hill” Ram 3500 Heavy Duty.
Ram beats the competition in the two most sought-after titles in the pickup truck market, fuel economy and SAE towing capacity, offering the most capable and most fuel efficient trucks available.
“Because our customers asked for it, every single 2015 model year pickup truck Ram sells will come with a trailer-tow rating achieved using SAE’s J2807 testing protocols,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand. “No other automaker can make that claim.”
On the heels of finalized SAE towing specifications that now include trucks up to 6,350 kg (14,000 lb.) GVWR, Ram has validated its full pickup line with the SAE J2807 Towing Standard – the only truck maker to adopt the standard in all three pickup truck weight classes.
“Ram Truck has been preparing for integration of the SAE towing standard over the past few years and adding heavier ¾ and 1-ton trucks to the criteria gives it more teeth,” said Mike Cairns, Director- Ram Truck Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. “For too long, an uneven playing field existed and towing capacities went unchecked. We’re happy to be the only pickup truck manufacturer to align with the SAE J2807 towing standard across our pickup truck line up.”
The SAE J2807 towing standard outlines dynamic and performance criteria as it relates to a given vehicle. Examples within the standard include a number of tests while towing: 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) time allowance, tackling the notorious Davis Dam Grade while maintaining no less than 60 km/h (40 mph) for single-rear-wheel trucks and 56 km/h (35 mph) for dual-rear-wheel trucks, a constant radius understeer test while increasing speed and a sway manoeuvre using aggressive steering input. The purpose is to put all trucks through the schedule of tests in which operators will likely see in the real world. SAE standards have existed in a number of other areas including engine torque and horsepower. Ram Truck is the first to adopt the official towing standard for ½-ton, ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks.
2015 Ram SAE J2807 towing capacities:
Ram 1500 V6 with 3.6-litre gasoline Pentastar™ – Unsurpassed 3,447 kg (7,600 lb.)
Ram 1500 V6 with 3.0-litre EcoDiesel – Best-in-class 4,173 kg (9,200 lb.)
Ram 1500 V8 with 5.7-litre gasoline HEMI – 4,831 kg (10,650 lb.)
Ram 2500 V8 with 6.4-litre gasoline HEMI – 7,394 kg (16,300 lb.)
Ram 2500 with 6.7-litre Cummins diesel – Best-in-class 8,151 kg (17,970 lb.)
Ram 3500 V8 with 6.4-litre gasoline HEMI – 7,448 kg (16,420 lb.)
Ram 3500 with 6.7-litre Cummins diesel – Best-in-class 13,608 kg (30,000 lb.)