2008 Dodge Ram 3500

When heavy hauling is required, call on the Dodge Ram 3500 to flex its muscle.

Its supreme capabilities include a payload rating of 12,200 pounds and a tow rating of 16,350 pounds. That's a lot of stuff that the 3500 can haul around.

There are many options to consider when shopping for a Ram 3500, including a choice of two- or four-wheel drive and three different cab sizes (regular, quad and mega).

The quad cab can accommodate six people and has a total of 143.3 cubic feet of volume. The rear seats can be folded up for a large flat load floor.

The mega cab offers 15 inches more length than an average crew cab, reclining rear seats, built-in trays and a large load floor with the rear seats folded down. Also available are a DVD entertainment system and power sunroof.

Regular and quad cabs can be equipped with either a 6.4-foot box or eight-foot cargo box.

Two engines are offered on the Ram 3500, a Hemi V8 or Cummins diesel inline-six.

The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 pumps out 345 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. The Multiple-Displacement System (MDS) allows four cylinders to automatically shut off under light load conditions for better fuel efficiency.

The torque-rich 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel inline six-cylinder engine generates 350 horsepower and an incredible 650 pound-feet of torque. Variable geometry turbocharging has the turbocharger mounted on the side of the engine to simplify the design and alleviate heat build-up under the hood.

Five-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions are available, with a beefy six-speed manual transmission coming standard on Heavy Duty models.

The front suspension is of the double-wishbone independent variety and helps smooth out both on-road and off-road imperfections. The Hotchkiss-sourced rear suspension consists of a solid axle and leaf springs.

Interior comfort and convenience features available include satellite radio, a navigation system, dual-zone climate control, power adjustable pedals, power sunroof and remote start.