Diesel Injector Fuel Injector 0445120238 Bosch for Dodge RAM 5.9 D, 2500, 3500, Pickup, 4× 4

Performance and Fuel Economy

The smaller of Ram's heavy-duty pickups can be ordered with a gas V-8 or a diesel-fueled inline-six. Gas variants employ a 6.4-liter naturally aspirated V-8 developing 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The gas V-8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive power to the rear wheels. The EPA doesn't evaluate fuel economy for heavy-duty trucks but when our RealMPG team tested a Ram 2500HD Power Wagon with 4WD and the Crew Cab body style, it returned 10.2/15.3 mpg city/highway.

If you need maximum performance out of your heavy-duty Ram, go for the diesel. It's a pricey option ($9,300 on the 2020 model) but the performance gains are worth it. Shelling out for the diesel swaps the gas V-8 and eight-speed auto for a 6.7-liter turbo I-6 and a beefed up six-speed automatic. The oil-burner makes 370 hp and a stump-pulling 850 lb-ft of torque. We didn't have a chance to RealMPG test a diesel 2500 but a 3500 Crew Cab model with 4WD and a high-output version of the I-6 achieved 13.2/18.0 mpg.

All Ram 2500s are offered with standard RWD and available 4WD except the Power Wagon, which is only available with 4WD.

Towing and Payload Capacities

The strongest argument for a heavy-duty truck is that it can accomplish more work than a more plebeian half-ton pickup. Rear-drive regular cab diesels achieve the highest towing capacity; these trucks can tug as much as 19,680 pounds. Similarly configured 2500s with the gas V-8 pull 17,350 pounds.

If you're after maximum payload capacity, it makes more sense to opt for the gas engine. Regular cab RWD gas trucks can carry up to 4,380 pounds while equivalent diesel-powered examples are rated for 3,060 pounds.