2021 Ram 2500
The 2021 Ram 2500 truck continues to stay the course set by its predecessor. This fifth-gen heavy duty pickup gets a new Limited Night Edition package added and an option for a digital rearview mirror, but other than these two items, remains the same as before. When selected, the Limited Night Edition comprises of blacked out 20" wheel and tire package, monochromatic exterior badging and front grille. The digital rearview mirror can display a feed from a rear mounted camera. Towing for this three-quarter ton beast maxes out at 19,010 lbs when equipped with the diesel engine and at 16,870 with the gas V8. Despite these huge tow numbers, the 2021 Ram 2500 rides akin to a luxury vehicle, making use of active noise cancellation, acoustic glance and a 5-link coil suspension to keep road noise and bumps isolated from the cab.
Plug-and-Play Tuning
If the 6.4L Hemi (410 HP/429 TQ) or 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel (370 HP/850 TQ) don't make enough power for you, the good news is that it is easy to get more out of these motors without having to open them up. A 2021 Ram 2500 pickup engine tuner is a device that plugs into the OBD2 port of the vehicle and communicates directly with the factory Power Control Module (PCM). Unlike a basic code reader, which can only read data off the PCM, a proper 2021 Ram 2500 tuner can both read and write. With this ability, owners can easily transfer over new tunes that have been optimized for the type of driving they want. Performance tunes can net an easy 20 horsepower out of the Hemi gasoline motor, whereas Cummins equipped trucks will see even larger gains. With multiple pre-configured tunes loaded on the device, owners can generally choose between a performance, towing or fuel economy setting. On top of this, performance tuners can alter throttle sensitivity, calibrate the PCM for a different tire or gear ratio and provide check engine light diagnostics.
Ultimate Trailer Control
The 2021 Ram 2500 does pack a lot of tech features relating to vehicle stability and trailer control. The factory Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is an electronic system meant to reign sway in if detected while underway. However, for the best towing conditions, it is highly recommended to make use of a mechanical weight distribution and sway control system.
- Reduce tongue weight
- Eliminate trailer sway
- More comfortable ride
These systems transform the single mount point of the trailer and hitch receiver into three. Secondary lateral bars attach to the tongue of the trailer and to the side of the weight distributing tow bar. This mechanical system is meant to better distribute the tongue weight back over the truck's rear axle and the trailer's own axle. The lateral sway control bars act much like the sway bars that are part of the front and rear suspension, using opposing leverage to counteract sway. If the trailer attempts to sway to the left, through chain reaction the opposite side sway control bar will oppose the motion and keep the trailer in check. The electronic TSC is a reactionary system, whereas a proper weight distributing receiver is meant to stop sway before it even happens. This means easier towing and a smoother ride! (Note that a weight distributing hitch does not increase tow capacity, it just makes it easier and more comfortable to pull big trailers at max weight)