New Dodge Ram can Tow 15 Ton !!!

[csv8]

Dodge Ram has announced that its 2013 3500 HD pickup will come with the highest tow rating in the class…ever. And by a long shot.

Ram says the redesigned hauler can pull up to 30,010 pounds. Its closest competitors, the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD and Ford F-350 max out at 23,100 and 22,800 pounds, respectively. That’s like pitting the Hulk against Bruce Banner.

The new Ram pulls this off with an updated 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine that pumps out a class leading 850 lb-ft of torque, a transmission designed for increased loads, high strength steel frame, heavy duty suspension and improved cooling systems for every drivetrain component.

One unique feature is the Ram Active Air intake system, which can draw cool air from a vent in the front of the vehicle when temperatures rise, or shut that off and use warm air from under the hood in cold conditions. It can also use both to breathe in high altitude environments where more oxygen is needed for combustion.

Pricing for the new 3500 HD has not been announced, but production is set to begin later this month.

[Yellow_Festiva]

When rigs get that big do they have a higher class of license over say a regular car or pickup?

[1TUFFUTE]

yes but is it efficient....reliable....comfy and easy to live with and ergonomic inside????????????

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

When rigs get that big do they have a higher class of license over say a regular car or pickup?

yep!.....cant have that weight with a car licence!.........

I want one.......

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

When rigs get that big do they have a higher class of license over say a regular car or pickup?

in a long answer yes they do in Georgia anyhow see bold and boxed sections

Driver's License Classes




A Georgia Driver's License is classified according to the type and weight of vehicles that may be operated by the person to whom they are issued.

Regular & Non-Commercial Driver's Licenses & Permits



Regular and Non-Commercial Classifications



Class C

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance.



Class CP

Applicant must be at least 15 years old and be able to pass the vision and knowledge test. When driving, there must be a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front seat with him or her at all times. The permit is valid for 24 months. Parental consent is required for applicants under 18 years of age.



Class D


Provisional driver’s license for Class C vehicles. May not operate between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Passenger restrictions:
1.For the initial six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D driver’s license, only immediate family may be passengers in the vehicle.
2.During the second six-month period immediately following issuance of a Class D driver’s license, only one non-family member under the age of 21 may be a passenger in the vehicle.
3.After the second six-month period, no more than three non-family members under the age of 21 may be passengers in the vehicle.

Parental consent is required for applicants under 18 years of age.



Class E (formerly Non-Commercial Class A)**


Truck trailer or tractor-semi trailer combination in which the combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.

Applicants for a Driver’s License in Classes E or F (non-commercial) must submit a Form DDS-36 (Affidavit showing minimum driving experience of 3 months and/or 3,000 miles in type of vehicle for class of driver’s license being applied for.)



Class F (formerly Non-Commercial Class B)**


Single vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds; and the unit being towed is less than 10,000 pounds; and motor vehicles included within Class C. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license prior to obtaining a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.

Applicants for a Driver’s License in Classes E or F (non-commercial) must submit a Form DDS-36 (Affidavit showing minimum driving experience of 3 months and/or 3,000 miles in type of vehicle for class of driver’s license being applied for.)



Class EP & FP


Non-Commercial Instructional Permit.



Class M


Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles are included in this class. An applicant must be at least 17 years of age in order to get a Class M driver’s license, but is not required to possess a Class C driver’s license before applying for this license.



Class MP


All applicants must pass an eye test and an examination of motorcycle knowledge. A Class MP instructional permit is valid for 6 months. It is not mandatory for a Class M driver’s license applicant to obtain a Class MP instructional permit before taking the Class M examination, although road test reservations are available only to those applicants who hold a Class MP instructional permit.

Restrictions for a Class MP instructional permit are as follows:
1.Must be at least 16 years old and have parental consent if under 18.
2.Must complete Driver Education Training to obtain a Class MP at age 16.
3.Motorcycle operation in daylight hours only.
4.No passengers allowed.
5.No limited access roadways.
6.Safety equipment as prescribed by law.


View Driver License Restrictions Codes.

Commercial Driver's Licenses & Permits



Commercial Classifications



Class A

Truck trailer or tractor-semi trailer combination in which the combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. Class A driver may operate vehicles in Class B and C with required endorsements. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license before obtaining a Class A and be at least 18 years of age.

A single driver’s license, with a combination of classifications, will be issued to qualified persons who wish to drive various types of vehicles.

Class AP


Class A Commercial Instructional Permit



Class B


Single vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds and the unit being towed is less than 10,000 pounds. A class B driver may operate motor vehicles included within Class C.

Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license prior to obtaining a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.



Class BP


Class B Commercial Instructional Permit



Class C


Class ‘C’ Commercial Driver’s Licenses are issued only if the vehicle is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers (including the driver), or utilized to transport hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding.








Commercial Class Endorsements



P

Passenger Vehicles (sixteen or more, including driver)

H

Hazardous Materials Haulers



T

Double/Triple-Trailers

S

School Bus (not qualified for Permits)



X

Tanker and Hazardous (not qualified for Permits)

N

Tank Vehicles


View Driver's License Restrictions Codes.

** Effective 3/28/2011, DDS has changed the Class Codes for Non-Commercial Driver's License Class A and B, the new Codes, E and F, are indicated above. For drivers holding Non-Commercial Class A or B driver's licenses, the new codes will be converted when the driver renews, replaces or updates their driver’s license.

Other Vehicles

Mopeds

A Moped is any motor-driven cycle with an engine not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters (3.05 cubic inches) that can propel the cycle at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (MPH) and does not require clutching or shifting.

Mopeds are exempt from the provisions relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles.

Rules to operate mopeds on Georgia roads and highways:
1.Must be 15 years of age and have in their possession a valid driver's license, instructional permit or limited permit.
2.Must wear protective headgear (motorcycle helmet).
3.No tag is required.
4.Every person operating a moped upon a roadway must obey the same traffic laws governing drivers of motor vehicles.
5.May not use limited access highways or other roadways where the minimum speed limit is above 35 mph.

Low Speed Vehicles

A Low Speed Vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and in effect on January 1, 2001.

Rules to operate Low Speed Vehicles on Georgia roads and highways:
Drivers of low-speed vehicles are subject to the Uniform Rules of the Road except with regard to provisions that cannot apply to such vehicles by virtue of their nature.
1.All low-speed vehicles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any low-speed vehicle of the full use of a lane.
2.The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
3.No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
4.Low-speed vehicles shall not be operated two or more abreast in a single lane.
5.Low-speed vehicles shall be operated only on any highway where the posted speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.
6.The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not operate such vehicle on any highway where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Thanks for that Jason,

Now that I have seen that on a computer screen, do I assume correct that a regular car license is the Class C one? With a max limit of 26,000 pounds? What's that, a little more than 11.5 tons?

[2011G6E]

I'm always a bit annoyed about manufacturers waffling on with higher and higher tow weights like it's a competition (which it is).

The figures they often quote cannot be safely towed...simple as that. You could take your six cylinder Falcon and, given a strong enough rope and a flat enough road, tow a semi weighing twenty tons...for a few feet until something broke. Doesn't mean they should give it a "tow weight" of whatever a vehicle can drag a short distance on flat ground.

This only leads to what we see with grey nomads, massive, simply massive, caravans trundling along behind groaning four wheel drives. I shudder to think what would happen if they had to stop in a hurry...scratch that, I've seen the results out here on the side of the road...smashed vans, overturned fourbies and wagons, with a puzzled owner standing beside it.

Bring into that the fact that if you wanted to drive any other vehicle with a gross mass of the weight of your car plus the "maximum towing weight" that you'd need a special licence, and it all becomes a joke.

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

When rigs get that big do they have a higher class of license over say a regular car or pickup?

It ain’t no rig, it’s an over sized ute.

The amusing thing is that it will be well and truly north of $160,000 if any ever land here.

If you really need to pull 15 tonne around, You could buy a second hand Kenworth for less than that and do a proper job.

[Bossxr8]

If you need to haul that much weight just buy a damn semi FFS

[smoo]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

yes but is it efficient....reliable....comfy and easy to live with and ergonomic inside????????????

Considering what else is on offer, these uncomfortable, unsafe, gutless, expensive to repair, and now with all the emmissions crap not as reliable jappas I'd take a yank pick up anyday.

[greenfoam]

Nearly everyone in Louisiana owns one of those double rear wheel rams. that's what they use to pull their trailer homes around. The z71? Chev with the 454 was really common too when I was there in the early 2000s. Plenty of trailer homes are the same length as a trailer off a semi so I imagine there's some weight in them. Anyway the truck of choice was the Ram. Saw some F350s but yeah. Mostly the Rams.

[Ben73]

Mostly just a ****ing comp.
Im sure 99% of owners would never pull 3 tons let alone 15.

Good on the Dodge for making a ute that can do it.
Im sure it will be able to do it safely. I doubt they just stuck a massive engine in it and said "she'll be right mate"

[csv8]

www.ramtrucks.com

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Mostly just a ****ing comp.
Im sure 99% of owners would never pull 3 tons let alone 15.

Good on the Dodge for making a ute that can do it.
Im sure it will be able to do it safely. I doubt they just stuck a massive engine in it and said "she'll be right mate"

I just don't want to be sharing the roads with the majority of owners who will indeed try and tow truly big stuff with it (hey, the company says it can, so it must be easy and safe!") and who have no idea how to safely drive such weights...as I said, I've seen enough caravans come to grief out here after getting slightly out of shape in, for example, a corner or gravel patch...

[XP6]

Have any of you guys seen a show called "shipping wars"?
There is a niche market for these type vehicles.

[aussie muscle]

Yeah, i seen that. what a bunch of amateurs!

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I just don't want to be sharing the roads with the majority of owners who will indeed try and tow truly big stuff with it (hey, the company says it can, so it must be easy and safe!") and who have no idea how to safely drive such weights...as I said, I've seen enough caravans come to grief out here after getting slightly out of shape in, for example, a corner or gravel patch...

What is the heaviest caravan around? I doubt its anywhere near 15 tons.
Most big caravans could be towed with a Patrol, Landcruiser or even a Ranger.

I'm sure people who have no idea about towing will hook up a 3.5 ton caravan to a Landcrusier then drive around the country. 3.5tons in the wrong hands is very dangerous.
I don't see how Dodge has done anything wrong.
It's up to local road departments to set rules and competency tests for certain vehicles.
Also individuals should be responsible for towing safely.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I'm sure people who have no idea about towing will hook up a 3.5 ton caravan to a Landcrusier then drive around the country. 3.5tons in the wrong hands is very dangerous.

Also individuals should be responsible for towing safely.

Youd be surprised how many people have never towed more than a 6 x 4 trailer and think a 26 foot van isnt any harder ....
Most of the grey nomads , although more years of driving experience have never towed a van or anything that size or weight

Common sence sometimes out trumps knowledge or experience
I use a 4.2 L petrol nissan patrol for towing, even with sometimes 3 tonne or more of the back, it keeps to any posted speed limit,be that straights or hills
Theres alot of so called more powerfull higher tow rated out there, but go round them on the hills ....

[chevypower]

It's not the weight of a caravan that's hard to control, it's probably the lack of weight mixed with the crappy aerodynamics. Try holding up a big sheet of cardboard in the wind, it's not that heavy, so it should be easy, right? The weight of the Ram with its long wheelbase helps make it a good tow vehicle.