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Need to tow heavy stuff? 2021 Ram HD rating increases to 37,100 lbs!

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The one-upmanship continues in the truck towing wars as Ram announces that the 2021 HD increases its tow rating, topping all the competitors in its class.

We previously saw the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD increase to 36,000, claiming it had best-in-class towing before Ford said, nope. And claimed its F-450 held the honor (even though the F-350 is a more comparable vehicle) at 37,000 pounds.

Now, Ram says: Hold my beer.

The 2021 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty has a tow capacity of 37,100 pounds with a gooseneck hitch and the 6.7-liter high-output turbocharged diesel. This is an increase of 2,000 pounds!

How is this possible?

Through improvements to the Cummins diesel engine, which include higher limits for boost from a turbocharger and flow rate increases in the fuel delivery system. Thus, the engine gets a torque increase of 75 pound-feet, for a total of 1,075 pound-feet.

This is an update from the press kit released on Sept. 1, which states the tow rating is up to 35,100 pounds and the engine delivers 1,000 pound-feet.

2021 Ram HD tow rating

2021 Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 6.7-liter I-6 badge (Image courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)

Ram made additional improvements to the rear-axle crossmember, with provisions for a fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch, to accommodate the increased towing capacity. Ram Engineering also upgraded the in-house hitch design for this same purpose.

Other than the increased tow rating, the other big change for 2021 is the availability of a rear camera mirror, which displays rear-facing video in the rearview mirror instead of the reflection. This provides an unobstructed view out the back of the vehicle, if people or cargo might be blocking your visibility.

The high-output turbo diesel will be available in all seven trims of the 2021 Ram HD – including the base Tradesman, which will have a starting price of $49,435.

The 2021 Ram 3500 HD trucks will be in dealers by the end of the year.

The bottom line on the 2021 Ram HD tow rating

With this announcement, Ram is definitely the undisputed heavy-weight champ.

And we are definitely in favor of the competitive spirit we see in the towing wars. Higher ratings mean more capability for those who need it. Plus, the constant improvement in features and parts will hopefully translate to better reliability down the road.

All right, Ford: Back to you.

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The 3 big changes on the 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD

How reliable are the 2020 heavy-duty trucks?

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Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is the Managing Editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as well as a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on car stuff for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY).

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