Topic: First Drive: 2019 Ram Heavy Duty Trucks

[AutoTrader.ca]

Ram’s new big rig shatters the 1,000 lb-ft torque barrier.
Read more...

[Great_Big_Abyss]

We are actually starting to reach semi-truck levels of power and capability.  Seriously, 35 000 max-tow isn't too far off what most semis you see on the road are pulling (40 000lbs).

Now, granted, the axles, tires, suspension, frame, transmission, and even the frame are no where near as heavy duty as a semi-truck.  Semi trucks routinely go multiples of millions of kms over their service life pulling 40 000lbs+, and I doubt you'd ever see a light duty truck make it over 300 000kms pulling 35 000lbs every single day. 

But still, pretty impressive numbers from a light duty truck. 

[Gurgie]

That's a serious HD line-up! Always had a soft spot for the Power Wagon 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

That's a serious HD line-up! Always had a soft spot for the Power Wagon 

Yes.   The PowerWagon is still on my wish list.  Only reason I didn't go for one this time was its large MSRP compared to my Tundra. 

I couldn't see fuel economy on a Power Wagon being any worse than my Tundra. 

[Gurgie]

That's a serious HD line-up! Always had a soft spot for the Power Wagon 

Yes.   The PowerWagon is still on my wish list.  Only reason I didn't go for one this time was its large MSRP compared to my Tundra. 

I couldn't see fuel economy on a Power Wagon being any worse than my Tundra.

Not sure, that 6.4 Hemi would be really thirsty! Though the lower output Cummins might not do too bad. Not sure how reliable those new Cummins' are though? The old 12valve it so sought after, said to be a million mile engine... not sure if these new ones will reach that mileage.

[dkaz]

No more manual transmission, no care,

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

[tpl]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

One  might think that a DSG type transmission ( except it would need 3 clutch packs ) could do all that under computer control.  Maybe they wouldn't all be clutches. If the computer is doing the work then you only need one to start from rest.  But again, replace the main clutch with a torque converter and use a few fewer gears.  Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

[dkaz]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

One  might think that a DSG type transmission ( except it would need 3 clutch packs ) could do all that under computer control.  Maybe they wouldn't all be clutches. If the computer is doing the work then you only need one to start from rest.  But again, replace the main clutch with a torque converter and use a few fewer gears.  Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

Manually operated clutch or bust.

[warp]

We are actually starting to reach semi-truck levels of power and capability.  Seriously, 35 000 max-tow isn't too far off what most semis you see on the road are pulling (40 000lbs).

Now, granted, the axles, tires, suspension, frame, transmission, and even the frame are no where near as heavy duty as a semi-truck.  Semi trucks routinely go multiples of millions of kms over their service life pulling 40 000lbs+, and I doubt you'd ever see a light duty truck make it over 300 000kms pulling 35 000lbs every single day. 

But still, pretty impressive numbers from a light duty truck.

Actually the tractor part of the semi weighs in the 17500lb-20000 lb range. Gross weight for the combination is a normal 80,000. So the tractor pulls  60000-62500 lbs, of which normally about 42000-44000 is the payload/freight. So heavy duty pickups such as the  Ram HD have ways to go before it can pull 60,000-62500 lbs.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So I built a 2018 PowerWagon (still the old interior, not the nice new one) and it came out to about $20k more than my Tundra, comparably equipped (convenience package, sunroof, etc.).  There's probably some negotiating room at the dealer in there, though.

Yes, you're getting a whole lot more truck and a whole lot more capability, but at this time, it just wouldn't have been feasible. 

Still on my wishlist, and it may very well be my next truck. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

One  might think that a DSG type transmission ( except it would need 3 clutch packs ) could do all that under computer control.  Maybe they wouldn't all be clutches. If the computer is doing the work then you only need one to start from rest.  But again, replace the main clutch with a torque converter and use a few fewer gears.  Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

More and more new heavy trucks are being ordered with automated manuals.

“Being able to get a driver and get them into a truck and trained and up and running as fast as possible becomes very valuable to a lot of companies,” said Wesley Slavin, on-highway marketing manager for Peterbilt, which now produces nearly 90 percent of its trucks with an automated transmission.

http://www.startribune.com/last-bastion-of-stick-shifts-semis-are-going-automated/492556851/

https://freightliner.com/demand-detroit/detroit-dt12-transmission/

[Fobroader]

We are actually starting to reach semi-truck levels of power and capability.  Seriously, 35 000 max-tow isn't too far off what most semis you see on the road are pulling (40 000lbs).

Now, granted, the axles, tires, suspension, frame, transmission, and even the frame are no where near as heavy duty as a semi-truck.  Semi trucks routinely go multiples of millions of kms over their service life pulling 40 000lbs+, and I doubt you'd ever see a light duty truck make it over 300 000kms pulling 35 000lbs every single day. 

But still, pretty impressive numbers from a light duty truck.

Actually the tractor part of the semi weighs in the 17500lb-20000 lb range. Gross weight for the combination is a normal 80,000. So the tractor pulls  60000-62500 lbs, of which normally about 42000-44000 is the payload/freight. So heavy duty pickups such as the  Ram HD have ways to go before it can pull 60,000-62500 lbs.

I wouldn't want to be pulling 20,000lbs+ through the rockies with only 6 small braked tires and a light little truck.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

We are actually starting to reach semi-truck levels of power and capability.  Seriously, 35 000 max-tow isn't too far off what most semis you see on the road are pulling (40 000lbs).

Now, granted, the axles, tires, suspension, frame, transmission, and even the frame are no where near as heavy duty as a semi-truck.  Semi trucks routinely go multiples of millions of kms over their service life pulling 40 000lbs+, and I doubt you'd ever see a light duty truck make it over 300 000kms pulling 35 000lbs every single day. 

But still, pretty impressive numbers from a light duty truck.

Actually the tractor part of the semi weighs in the 17500lb-20000 lb range. Gross weight for the combination is a normal 80,000. So the tractor pulls  60000-62500 lbs, of which normally about 42000-44000 is the payload/freight. So heavy duty pickups such as the  Ram HD have ways to go before it can pull 60,000-62500 lbs.

I wouldn't want to be pulling 20,000lbs+ through the rockies with only 6 small braked tires and a light little truck.

I dunno,  the truck has pretty beefy brakes, and the trailer will have accordingly sized brakes, too.

Plus, all the reviewers are mentioning that the Jake Brake along with the transmission's grade logic does a really great job of managing the truck's speeds on descents. 

[revalations]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

One  might think that a DSG type transmission ( except it would need 3 clutch packs ) could do all that under computer control.  Maybe they wouldn't all be clutches. If the computer is doing the work then you only need one to start from rest.  But again, replace the main clutch with a torque converter and use a few fewer gears.  Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

More and more new heavy trucks are being ordered with automated manuals.

“Being able to get a driver and get them into a truck and trained and up and running as fast as possible becomes very valuable to a lot of companies,” said Wesley Slavin, on-highway marketing manager for Peterbilt, which now produces nearly 90 percent of its trucks with an automated transmission.

http://www.startribune.com/last-bastion-of-stick-shifts-semis-are-going-automated/492556851/

https://freightliner.com/demand-detroit/detroit-dt12-transmission/

Almost 80% of new highway trucks are now ordered with automated transmissions. I've driven a few and they are fabulous. If I made a living driving a truck I'd want one for sure. Also, they are proving to be reliable and have lower maintenance costs than a full manual. Eaton even has automated 18 speeds for severe duty use.

[Fobroader]

^ Agreed.

Needed one of these too:

One  might think that a DSG type transmission ( except it would need 3 clutch packs ) could do all that under computer control.  Maybe they wouldn't all be clutches. If the computer is doing the work then you only need one to start from rest.  But again, replace the main clutch with a torque converter and use a few fewer gears.  Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

More and more new heavy trucks are being ordered with automated manuals.

“Being able to get a driver and get them into a truck and trained and up and running as fast as possible becomes very valuable to a lot of companies,” said Wesley Slavin, on-highway marketing manager for Peterbilt, which now produces nearly 90 percent of its trucks with an automated transmission.

http://www.startribune.com/last-bastion-of-stick-shifts-semis-are-going-automated/492556851/

https://freightliner.com/demand-detroit/detroit-dt12-transmission/

Almost 80% of new highway trucks are now ordered with automated transmissions. I've driven a few and they are fabulous. If I made a living driving a truck I'd want one for sure. Also, they are proving to be reliable and have lower maintenance costs than a full manual. Eaton even has automated 18 speeds for severe duty use.

I think for highway tractors they are fine, for ones used offroad, I doubt they will be that popular. Have a truck driver buddy, in his 30s, and he says hes not a fan of the auto trucks. He regularly hauls dual trailers all over Alberta and BC.

[bye]

Presumably when Tesla or other make electric trucks they will just  a  couple of ratios behind each of the electric motors.

Semi is just like any other Tesla.

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-semi-four-motor-drivetrain-gearbox/

The Tesla Semi has a single gear and uses four electric motors that operate independently to power its rear wheels. “It's smooth. It's just like driving a Tesla.”