2019 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab Tradesman 4x4 6.7 Diesel Gin Pole Flat Bed Max Tow on 2040-cars

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Should heavy-duty pickup trucks have window stickers with fuel mileage estimates?

If you were to stroll into your nearest Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Nissan, or Ram dealership, you'd find a bunch of pickup trucks. Most of those would have proper window stickers labeled with things like base prices, options prices, location of manufacture, and, crucially, fuel economy estimates. But you'd also run across a number of heavy-duty trucks with no such fuel mileage data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA doesn't require automakers to publish the valuable miles-per-gallon measurement for vehicles with gross weight ratings that exceed 8,500 pounds. That makes it difficult for consumers to compare behemoths powered by turbocharged diesel engines – between one another, and between smaller, gasoline-fueled trucks. Consumer Reports doesn't think it should be this way, and it's spearheading an effort (PDF link) to get the government to require manufacturers to publish fuel economy estimates. In its own testing, CR found that heavy-duty pickups powered by Ford's Power Stroke, GM's Duramax, and FCA's Cummins diesel engines (which doesn't include the Ram's EcoDiesel) get worse fuel mileage than their lighter-duty gas-powered siblings. We're not so sure HD-truck buyers are unaware of this fact – big diesels don't really come into their own until big loads are placed in their beds or attached to their trailer hitches. Under heavy workloads, the diesel trucks will almost certainly return greater efficiency than a similar gas-powered truck. What's more, HD trucks with lumbering diesels in general make the driver feel more confident while towing due to greater torque at low engine RPM than gas trucks. They also offer greater max-weight limits. Still, we agree EPA fuel mileage estimates should be offered for heavy-duty pickups. And we think the comparisons provided by Consumer Reports might be interesting to potential buyers. Click here to see the results of CR's tests, and let us know what you think using the poll below. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty: First Drive View 22 Photos News Source: Consumer Reports Government/Legal Green Read This Chevrolet Ford GMC Nissan RAM Fuel Efficiency Truck Commercial Vehicles Diesel Vehicles poll gmc sierra hd chevy silverado hd

2019 Ram Rebel 12 is luxurious off-road truck named for ... its touchscreen

When Ram came out with the totally redone 1500 pickup this year, the off-road-leaning Rebel didn't have Ram's giant 12-inch touchscreen as an option. Ram is remedying that omission with a new model called the Rebel 12. Yeah, it's pretty weird to name the car after the size of the infotainment screen, but that's what Ram came up with. The new model is more than just a screen, though. Ram is using it to throw in a few different tech and luxury options that we don't see in the more barebones Rebel. For one, it gets a 19-speaker, 900-watt Harman Kardon sound system with metal speaker grilles. You'll also get leather seats all around, and they're heated up front. So what will all this cost you? The Rebel 12 starts at $48,685, including destination charges — about $3,000 more than the base Rebel. That price gets you everything mentioned above and all the cool Rebel stuff including a lift kit, locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks, 33-inch tires and the tough-looking appearance features. Keep in mind that this base price is still only the V6 with rear-wheel drive. You can send it far higher when you start tacking on desirable options like the Hemi V8 and four-wheel drive. Ram says the luxurious Rebel 12 will be available in the fourth quarter of 2018. View 5 Photos Featured video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Ram RAM Technology Infotainment Truck Luxury Off-Road Vehicles ram rebel

FCA plants skipping summer shutdown to keep up with demand

Hopefully, some FCA US factory employees don't have big plans for the usual summer shutdown, because the automaker is keeping several plants running this year. Demand is so high that the company wants to keep models rolling off the assembly lines. Four FCA US assembly plants, all the engine factories, and some locations that build transmissions are staying open throughout the summer, according to the Detroit Free Press. Usually, these sites would see a two-week shutdown for the company to retool and perform repairs. This year, factories are staying open for FCA to support its strong sales. The lines that remaining humming through the summer show an inclination toward the automaker's popular SUV's and crossovers. They include the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Michigan that builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango; Saltillo Van Assembly in Mexico that constructs the Ram ProMaster; Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio that produces the Cherokee and Wrangler; and Toluca Assembly in Mexico that makes the Dodge Journey and Fiat 500. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit Free PressImage Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM FCA dodge journey fca us ram promaster Jefferson North Assembly Plant