2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Overview

The new Cummins "600" only costs a trifle more than the outgoing high-output diesel, however. It gets the 6-speed

To make the Cummins' pulling power more obvious, Dodge loaded up a gooseneck trailer with two full-size competitors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

manual, a fairly easy unit to row through the gears, or optionally the 4-speed automatic with overdrive.

I was impressed with the 2003 H.O. Cummins, which put out a respectable 305-hp at 2,900 rpm and 555 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm. To make the truck's pulling power more obvious, Dodge loaded up a gooseneck trailer with two full-size competitors, a Ford F-350 and a Chevy Silverado 3500. It walked away with its rivals on its back without pulling a sweat, making a great photo op in the process.

Of course a better photo op has the new "600" towing a Caterpillar 777D

The 2004.5 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins "600" is seen here towing a Caterpillar 777D Mining Truck with a gross vehicle weight of 155,684 pounds. Just a bit larger than the Ram, the Cat stands 10.1 meters (33.1 feet) tall and 6.1 meters (20 feet) wide. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

Mining Truck with a gross vehicle weight of 155,684 pounds. Just a bit larger than the Ram, the Cat stands 10.1 meters (33.1 feet) tall and 6.1 meters (20 feet) wide.

That stunt was to show the world that the Cummins "600" equipped Ram delivers a best-in-class towing capability. While towing Cats isn't recommended, anything up to the truck's 7,439 kg (16,400 lb) rating is. Incidentally that's 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) more than the Ford F-350 PowerStroke's towing capacity. The top-tier Ram also boasts a payload of 2,277 kg (5,020 lbs), a best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 10,433 kg (23,000 lbs) and a category-leading Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs).