2012 Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab
OVERVIEW

Chrysler Canada: 
2012 RAM CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS GET INCREASED CAPABILITIES

•	Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) increased to 13,608kg (30,000 lb.)
•	Ram Chassis Cab trucks designed for towing
•	Ram Trucks provide lower cost of ownership

2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 medium-duty (Class 4 and 5) Chassis Cab commercial trucks are available with an optional 13,608kg (30,000-lb.) gross combined weight rating (GCWR), an increase from 11,793kg (26,000 lb.)

“Our Ram Chassis Cab provides a maximum of 10,070 kg of towing capability which makes it a superior work truck for many applications,” said Ed Broadbear, Vice President Marketing, Chrysler Canada. “It’s powered by the proven Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and in 2012, a new six-speed automatic transmission.”

13,608 kg (30,000-lb.) GCWR and Max Tow
The new Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab GCWR upgrade is part of an optional “Max Tow” package, and is available on both regular and crew cab models and in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. 

The Ram Max Tow package includes a new transfer case gear set and chain and sprocket upgrades, recalibrated transmission software and an enhanced collection of thermal management devices.

Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks come equipped with the proven, commercial-grade 305 horsepower @ 2,900 rpm and 610 lb.-ft. @ 1,600 rpm 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.

Max Tow is available on Ram Chassis Cab trucks equipped with the optional, commercial-grade Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and 4.88 rear-axle ratio. A 4.44 axle is standard on 4500 models and not available with the Max Tow package. A class-exclusive six-speed manual transmission is standard on Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab models.

The 13,608kg (30,000-lb.) GCWR gives the Ram Chassis Cab a 1,814 kg (4,000-lb.) increase in trailer-towing capabilities, up to a maximum of 10,070 kg (22,200 lb.) on a Ram 4500 or 5500 Chassis Cab equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and unsurpassed GCWR on Class 4 Chassis Cab trucks.

Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks are powered by the 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 and will add a new six-speed automatic transmission in 2012 that helps to increase GCWR to 9,071kg (20,000 lb.) – a 1,361 (3,000-lb.) increase – as well as provide an increase in fuel economy. With a standard 383 horsepower, 400 lb.-ft. of torque 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine, the Ram 3500 Chassis Cab delivers best-in-class standard horsepower and torque. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is available as an option on Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks.

Designed for Towing
Ram Chassis Cab trucks are specifically designed for towing, with features such as the strongest diesel exhaust brake in the industry – 49 per cent stronger than the nearest competitor – and the largest brake rotors and pads in their class. Ram has also upgraded the trailer brake controller on Chassis Cab trucks to include electric-over-hydraulic capability, to further enhance its towing ability.

Ram Chassis Cab Trucks Deliver Best-in-Class Performance
Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer exceptional performance in many key areas, including a phenomenal combination of brake pad wear, brake fade resistance and exhaust brake performance. They also deliver great fuel economy. In a recent head-to-head comparison, the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab was 10 per cent more fuel efficient than its direct competitor – and that can add up to thousands of dollars a year in owner savings.

Among Ram’s best-in-class features: 
•	Ram Chassis Cab brakes last twice as long as the competition under severe use
•	Ram Chassis Cab trucks have 160 per cent less brake fade than the competition
•	Ram Chassis cab trucks stop in less distance in both wet and dry conditions when carrying 
a heavy payload 
•	The Ram Chassis Cab’s diesel exhaust brake is more effective than the competition’s
•	Ram Chassis Cab offers a better turning radius – by 3 metres (10 feet)  – than competitors
•	Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the largest standard fuel tank – 197 litres (43.3 Imp. Gal) for superior operational range

Cummins Turbo Diesel 
The Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, with its proven inline-six architecture and cast iron block and head, has been providing decades of reliable service in everything from agriculture and construction equipment to over-the-road heavy trucks. 

Ram Trucks powered by Cummins diesel engines have been the benchmark of power, durability, reliability and fuel economy since 1989, the first model year that Ram offered the Cummins engine. This partnership is defined by more than two decades of long-lasting, hard-working history.

Cummins has produced over 1.7 million Cummins Turbo Diesel engines for Ram Trucks. Today, over 80 per cent of Ram Heavy Duty truck customers purchase their truck with the legendary Cummins Turbo Diesel. 

Upfitter Friendly
Maximum upfit-friendliness is achieved with industry-standard 864 millimetres (34-inch) frame rail spacing and flat, clean frame rails on a proven one-piece C-channel rear-frame rail boasting a best-in-class 50,000-psi steel strength. All chassis components are below the frame surface allowing easy adaptability and versatility for virtually any upfit application.

Further improving upfitter-friendliness, 2012 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature four all-new upfitter switches integrated on the instrument panel. Each of these four upfitter switches are linked to an auxiliary Power Distribution Centre (PDC) located under the hood which includes one fused 20 amp battery feed and one fused relay-controlled 20 amp ignition.  In addition to these feeds, the PDC supports four new customizable switches. Two switches are ignition-fed and the remaining two are either battery or ignition.  Switch outputs are found under the hood in a connector for further ease of upfit.  A seven-circuit trailer harness and a special upfitter jumper cable – a wiring harness for ancillary power needs -- are both standard.

Electrical connections are user-friendly thanks to one fused battery feed and one fused ignition feed routed into the cab and to the rear of the chassis. Upfitter wire circuits and electrical schematics are identified in the Body Builder Guide. With built-in tandem PTO capability, all models feature a heavy-duty cooling system in order to meet additional heat loads that are often generated from PTO upfits and/or extreme hauling.

A special capped auxiliary fuel line on the fuel tank makes upfitting even easier, facilitating the use of auxiliary equipment running on fuel.  The fuel filler is routed through the frame and an optional 83 litres (18.3 Imp. Gal) mid-ship fuel tank frees up more space behind the rear axle for special upfit applications.  Fuel and brake lines are routed together on the frame’s driver side to make better use of space along the frame, which also provides clearance for rear exhaust routing.

Ram Chassis Cab also employs an intelligently engineered, Cummins commercial-grade DEF system that is placed out of the way of upfit zones, saving time and money in the upfit process. 

Special Paint Colours Available
Based on customer demand, the Ram Truck brand has added a number of special, low-volume paint colours, including “National Fire Safety Lime Yellow” to its commercial truck palette.
 
Ram Truck manufacturing operations can fulfill special paint orders with a minimum batch size of 10 trucks, although any one customer may order as few as a single vehicle. 

Ram Truck offers the following special low-volume paint colour options for 2500 through 5500 models: Black, Bright Red, Dark Brown, Detonator Yellow, Light Cream, Light Green, Omaha Orange, School Bus Yellow, Timberline Green Pearl, Yellow and National Fire Safety Lime Yellow, Case IH Red, Case Construction Power Tan, New Holland Agriculture Blue, New Holland Construction Yellow, D.T. Green, Green Angel, S.R. Green and Robin Egg Blue.

Programmable Features
For 2012, the Ram Chassis Cab has a customer-selectable maximum speed. Ram Chassis Cabs can be ordered from the factory with or programmed by a Ram Truck dealer at no charge with either 89, 97, 105, 113, km/h speed limits. Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks have an impressive standard   140km/h top speed, an important feature for fire, ambulance and other safety and rescue roles.

A five-minute shutdown timer is also available.  

The 2012 Ram Chassis Cab with Max Tow will reach dealerships in the third quarter of 2011. 

About Chrysler Canada 
Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, Chrysler Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 86th anniversary in 2011. Chrysler Canada's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep® Wrangler, Chrysler 300 and Ram trucks. 

Chrysler Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, one of the world's leading automotive companies. Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, SRT, FIAT® and Mopar® vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. 

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