A grey 2020 Ram 3500 is driving down a two lane road after leaving a used Ram dealership.

The Ram 3500: Toughness and Technology Through the Years

No vehicle that is on the highways today can hold onto its value forever, but some depreciate at a slower rate than others. If you are in the market for a heavy-duty truck, then one of the best places out there to look for great deals is at a used Ram dealership. Heavy-duty pickups like the Ram 3500 do even better when holding their value through the years. In fact, if these heavy-duty pickups were in their own category rather than lumped in with smaller pickups in the Ram lineup, Ram’s rankings for their used vehicles would be even more impressive.

A used Ram 3500 can be one of the best buys at any used Ram dealership, with high-value pricing and excellent trade-in value. This ensures that buyers get a great deal whether they are buying or selling. The Ram 3500 is known as the powerhouse in the Ram lineup with strong V8 gasoline engines and the legendary Cummins turbo-diesel. High towing capacity, high torque, and high payload are sure to please anyone who needs to haul large loads or pull heavy trailers. Meanwhile, the advanced infotainment system ensures plenty of driver assistance and fun features on any trip. For anyone seeking power and comfort, a used Ram 3500 is one of the best value buys that can be made from a used Ram dealer.

Under the Hood: Powertrain and Fuel Economy

Most used Ram dealers carry trucks from many different model years, some newer than others, giving buyers a lot of options to choose from. Still, even with model adjustments and upgrades, there are some base facts about the Ram 3500 that remain consistent in recent years. These trucks have been powered by V8 engines since their introduction in 1994. Interestingly, the Ram 3500 was the last heavy-duty truck to offer a manual transmission, and you can find used models with a six-speed up through the 2018 model year. Unfortunately, this option was lost with the 2019 model year redesign, but it is still worth considering for traditionalists.

The most recent model years have some truly incredible capabilities, thanks to their V8 and turbo-diesel engine options. Picking up a Ram 3500 at a used Ram dealership will lead to the ownership of a very powerful pickup. The towing and payload capacities of many of these vehicles are rated near the top of their class, and the trusty Cummins high-output engines have consistently offered best-in-class torque output. The 2015 model, for example, has 865 lb-ft of torque, 7,390 pounds of maximum payload, and 30,000 pounds of maximum trailering capacity. These numbers increased steadily over the years, and in 2019 the Ram 3500 became the first pickup to offer 1,000 lb-ft of torque. These unstoppable capabilities are just some of the biggest selling points for the Ram 3500.

The interior of a 2020 Ram 3500 shows the steering wheel and infotainment screen.

Design and Features

While other brands might be content offering plenty of power with high towing and payload ratings, Ram goes further to make working with your truck even easier. For instance, the Rambox Cargo Management System, which was introduced back in 2011, gives you lockable weatherproof storage compartments built into the bed walls of your truck. The Mega Cab is even older, dating back to 2006, and gives your back seat passengers even more room to stretch out than a regular Crew Cab. In fact, it even has reclining seats!

Buying your next heavy-duty truck from a used Ram dealer is a guarantee for high safety ratings as well as impressive amounts of power under the hood. Front and side airbags are standard in all recent model years, with side curtain airbags for backseat passengers as well. Rearview camera and rear parking sensors are other common features that make maneuvering a large Ram 3500 easier than you might expect. Many of these trucks even include automatic braking as well as an electronic trailer brake controller. All of these safety features have helped the Ram 3500 maintain a reputation as one of the safest one-ton trucks on the road.

The driver assistance systems for the Dodge Ram 3500 include features such as 360-degree camera systems, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning. These pickups also have tools specifically to ensure trailer safety, such as the electronic trailer brake controllers. The backup cameras offer good trailer views as well as cross traffic alerts. The Ram 3500 is designed to keep drivers safe and comfortable, with plenty of interior space in addition to the cargo space available in the bed. Between extended cab options and longer bed options both available, drivers looking for a used Ram 3500 can always find the exact configuration they need.

Infotainment: Ram’s Claim to Fame

Whether new or used, Ram trucks are well known for having excellent infotainment systems and driver-assist technology. Many used Ram dealers highlight these features to draw in more buyers. A high-quality sound system and good driver-assist technologies have become larger priorities for buyers over the years, making manufacturers and dealers alike focus on these features for every new iteration of their vehicles. With each year, the Ram 3500 gains more and more of these features. These constant improvements have kept Ram as a household name in the minds of truck buyers, whether they go to a used or new Ram dealer.

The Uconnect infotainment system is a constant presence on the Ram 3500 since its introduction in 2013. This easy-to-use system comes with an intuitive touchscreen and conversational voice recognition on most models. The 2019 model introduced the largest Uconnect touchscreen to date, measuring in at 12 inches and offering split-screen functionality. These different features have served to place the Ram as solidly reliable and cutting edge in the infotainment sector, so much so that the company is known for having such fantastic systems. Ram also supplements the screens with equally high-quality sound systems for a truly immersive experience.

A driver information digital cluster display is positioned behind the steering wheel for more recent models. This can show plenty of important information, from speed to gas levels to tire pressure and plenty more besides. These displays are backlit well, as with the touchscreen infotainment systems, making them easy to read in all circumstances. In addition to Uconnect access, all modern years of the Ram 3500 include cell phone integration, as well as USB ports, with most also featuring a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. All of these features ensure that the Ram 3500 can keep its passengers comfortable and arm the driver with all the information he needs.

A blue 2020 Ram 3500 is towing a closed trailer down a dirt road.

Fantastic Whether Used or New

Used Ram dealers strive to make sure their products will meet the needs of every buyer. They offer the best deals for vehicles with high resale value and little depreciation. The Ram 3500 is one of the toughest one-ton trucks on the market, with towing capacities that place it at the top of its class when compared to competitors. These vehicles are made with towing and hauling in mind, offering astounding capacities. There is a reason why Ram has been the fastest-growing truck brand on the market in recent years, rapidly closing the gap on Ford, the long-time market leader.