This fall’s continued slowdown in truck sales already has started to bring year-end savings, offering work-truck buyers an opportunity to look for deals. And while it may seem silly to find a decent price on a massive pickup, such as the fully loaded, dual-rear-wheel Ram 3500 we recently test-drove, it is not impossible.
A big cost of a truck this size is what it can do for users that need to tow, haul and move. Our 2016 Ram 3500 arrived with a base price of $56,825, which included a crew cab, long box and four-wheel drive. With a window sticker of $76,090, including delivery, this giant pickup also came with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel ($8,995) and, with that engine, a heavy-duty Aisin six-speed automatic transmission ($2,595). The dual rear tires added $1,200.
Rigged up this way, the Ram 3500 provides a large range of power: The diesel engine sports up to 385 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque, while the payload capacity of 7,390 lb and tow rating of 31,210 lb offer plenty to the imagination.
Off the road, this vehicle moves around without difficulty, though, naturally, its long wheelbase needs some space to effect tight turns. Even with very little towing or hauling, the Ram proved to be a very capable highway truck, as well, with interior comfort and technology that rival most passenger vehicles on the road.
In terms of fuel economy, manufacturers are not required to estimate consumption for a truck this large. However, during our week-long test drive, we calculated 16.1 miles per gallon across a 1,168-mile trip of mostly highway travel.
A basic model of this truck—part of Ram’s Tradesman series—starts at $32,285, with dealers offering up to 12% off list price on many 3500s. If this one-ton workhorse appeals to your company’s stable, look for such incentives, as they are likely to stick around this year.