Ram's Chassis Cab lineup is ideal for vocational fleet applications.  
 -  Photo: Ram Trucks

Ram's Chassis Cab lineup is ideal for vocational fleet applications. 

Photo: Ram Trucks

Ram Truck is celebrating a decade as a stand-alone brand with a full lineup of trucks and commercial vehicles.

"Since becoming a distinct brand 10 years ago, Ram has had the benefit of being able to focus solely on trucks and commercial vehicles, allowing us to build the best vehicles possible for our customers,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand. “We expect Ram’s momentum to continue, and we feel optimistic that we’re making the right moves, at the right time, to attract buyers.”

Ram Truck has quickly developed a laundry list of exclusive features, including SiriusXM 360L with Personalized Stations by Pandora, reclining rear seats, multi-link coil spring rear suspension, active-level four-corner air suspension, active air dam, mild-hybrid eTorque engine options, thermal axle technology, RamBox cargo management system, and multifunction tailgate, to name a few.

Over the past decade, Ram has built on its brand. A few milestones include: 

In 2009, Ram Truck introduced a feature that would become a stalwart in the brand’s portfolio: the RamBox cargo management system. RamBox’s side bins create storage along each side of the pickup bed, space previously left untouched because of wheel-well intrusion. RamBox bins fit the length of the pickup bed and incorporate the space over each wheel well to secure cargo within a lit, lockable and drainable container. Lids include swing hinges with intermediate and full-open positions that lift the lid 90 degrees perpendicular to each side.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks provided customers with first-time innovations and features. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks were available for the first time as a crew cab model. The Ram 1500 Outdoorsman also joined the lineup as a new trim that was designed for outdoor enthusiasts.

Making its debut at the State Fair of Texas for the 2011 model-year, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn was unveiled as the most luxurious truck ever produced by Ram. Ram also began offering a chassis cab for the 2011 model-year and brought best-in-class standard horsepower and torque, brake life, standard gross vehicle weight rating, powertrain warranty, and a class-exclusive manual transmission along with it. By working with truck body suppliers, Ram Truck engineers gave the 2011 Ram Chassis Cab an upfitter-friendly design.

A new Tradesman Heavy Duty joined the lineup for the 2012 model-year. The Tradesman, which is aimed at one of the pickup truck segment’s largest traditional customer. A new 6-speed automatic transmission, available on the 4.7L and 5.7L HEMI V-8 engines, and new steering wheel with cruise control buttons also debuted for 2012.

The 2013 Ram 1500 featured new exterior design cues, including an all-new grille and front fascia, improved quad projection headlamps and LED front turn signals and taillamps. Best-in-class fuel economy was achieved with the addition of the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine and TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. The 5.7L HEMI V-8 was also available with the TorqueFlite 8-speed transmission for the first time. Also new for 2013 was the remote central locking RamBox cargo management system and tailgate combined with door locks. Rain-sensing wipers, SmartBeam headlamps, power-folding mirrors and power-sliding rear window with defrost also joined the lineup as available options in 2013.

In 2014, Ram debuted the 3.0L. The EcoDiesel-powered 2014 Ram 1500 earned a 28-mpg rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the best highway-cycle test result ever achieved by a 1/2-ton, full-size pickup, according to Ram. It also exceeded the EPA highway rating for the top-ranked mid-size pickup.This 28-mpg rating opened the flood gates when dealers opened for orders – more than 8,000 trucks equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engine were sold in the first 72 hours of availability. 

In 2014, Ram Truck also launched a new division to focus on commercial truck development, sales, and support in a growing market - Ram Commercial. The 2014 Ram ProMaster joined the lineup. The unique van created additional opportunity in Ram’s work truck lineup.

The 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel introduced a one-of-a-kind design that brought robust off-road capability, enabling the brand to reach even more consumers. The “RAM” stamped tailgate with blacked-out lettering also debuted on 1500 Rebel.

In 2016, the Ram Rebel TRX concept debuted at the State Fair of Texas. The rapidly beating heart of the Ram Rebel TRX concept is a powertrain juggernaut. A 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 with 575 hp, the Ram Rebel TRX is the most powerful Ram 1500 the Ram ever built, according to the company.

For 2017, the 1500 received new standard features, including remote start and security alarm. Other standard features include the Uconnect 8.4 and media hub, automatic dual-zone temperature control, anti-spin differential, premium gauge cluster, rear backup camera and Rear Park Assist. Ram also introduced a special-edition 1500 Night package. The Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport also bowed in 2017 and tied the monochromatic exterior theme together with a body-color front fascia, rear bumper, side mirrors, and door handles.

A few special-edition trucks joined the lineup for 2018, including the Harvest lineup, 1500 Limited Tungsten, Laramie Longhorn Southfork, and Heavy Duty Lone Star Silver editions.

The fifth-generation Ram 1500 burst onto the scene in 2019. A host of segment disruptors came along with it, including the new Uconnect 4C with a massive 12-inch touchscreen that leads the pickup world with technology featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L. Active safety and security systems joined the technology onslaught with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, Blind-spot Monitoring and ready alert braking.

The upgraded eTorque version of the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 debuted for the 2019 model-year and continues to be the standard engine in most trim levels, specifically tuned for truck duty and rated at 305 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The 5.7L HEMI V-8 combines 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque with performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technologies that include variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. Ram Truck continued to strengthen its position as the industry’s cargo management and storage leader with the addition of the multifunction tailgate.

The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty is the latest in a long line of Ram trucks that are most comfortable when at work. With a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. and a payload capacity of 7,680 lbs., the latest iteration of Ram’s heavy-duty offering brings a never-before-seen torque rating of 1000 lb.-ft. from the Cummins I-6 Turbo Diesel engine.

The 2020 Ram 1500 is America’s most powerful half-ton diesel pickup, with 480 lb.-ft. of torque, and most capable light-duty diesel, with towing capability up to 12,560 pounds. An all-new third-generation 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel was launched. The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is available in all models and configurations, including a first-time offering in the Ram Rebel.

Finally, the Ram 1500 is the first full-size pickup truck to be named a Top Safety Pick+, the highest rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Originally posted on Work Truck Online

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