Choose the used Ram 3500, Ram's brawniest heavy-duty truck, to move the kind of weight that makes lesser trucks balk. This pickup also provides best-in-class interior style and ride comfort. Your used Ram doubles as a trusty workhorse and a luxurious ride around town. So, what do you need to know before you test-drive yours? Our used buying guide will catch you up.
First Generation: 2011-2018
Why choose the first-generation used Ram 3500?
This is Ram's most capable heavy-duty pickup - the truck you go to when the full-size 1500 and the heavy-duty 2500 just won't cut it. Properly equipped, these used Rams can tow upwards of 30,000 pounds. If you've got a massive toy hauler or machinery that needs lugging, the 3500 is at your service. These heavy-duty trucks are also known for their refinement. As you cruise around, the cabin remains comfortable and quiet. The interior also offers best-in-class fit and finish, giving you a taste of the finer things on your way to the jobsite. You can shop three main trim levels - the base ST, mid-grade SLT, and upscale Laramie - that range from sturdy workhorse to leather-clad luxury.
What's under the hood?
These heavy-duty trucks are available with either gas or diesel power. The standard engine is a 6.4-liter V8, which helps you move heavy-duty loads with 410 horses and 429 pound-feet of torque. To tow and haul extra weight, however, you need a used truck with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6. With the six-speed manual transmission, this engine delivers 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. If your used Ram features the diesel engine with the automatic transmission, the powertrain provides an incredible 800 pound-feet of torque to tow max loads.
What are the used Ram 3500 configurations?
As you shop the used lot, you'll find a lot of variation between body styles and trim levels. You'll be able to choose from three cabin options: regular, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab. Regular cabins feature one row of seating, with either a bench seat or two captain's chairs. The Crew Cab features two full-size rows of seating and four forward-opening doors. The Mega Cab is essentially a giant crew cab; it's an excellent choice for drivers who travel both frequently and in packs. You won't find anything roomier in the heavy-duty truck segment, that's for sure.
The Ram's regular cabin comes with the long bed only. The Mega Cab comes with the short bed only. But, with the Crew Cab, you should be able to find a used Ram 3500 with either the short or long bed. Choose from three used Ram 3500 trim levels: the base ST, mid-range SLT, and upscale Lariat. Unless your truck features a Crew Cabin and the short bed, you can expect these heavy-duty trucks to come standard with a dual-rear-wheel axle for maximum pulling power.
What do shoppers need to know about this generation of used Ram 3500 trucks?
The diesel-powered model with the automatic transmission didn't get a bump in torque - up to 800 pound-feet - until halfway through the model year. If you find yourself test-driving a truck from 2011, make sure its engine output and capabilities meet your towing and hauling requirements.
A Note on the Previous Ram 3500
If it feels like these used trucks have been around long before 2011, that's because they have. The 2011 Ram 3500 was the first heavy-duty truck to appear under the new Ram brand name. However, this seemingly new model was actually a continuation of the heavy-duty truck formerly known as the Dodge Ram 3500. Before Ram broke off from the Dodge label, the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 was part of the model's fourth generation.