2026 Ram 3500: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.
car
Updated 2026-06-04·/
Quick Answer
The 2026 Ram 3500 continues as Ram's one-ton heavy-duty pickup, in Single-Rear-Wheel (SRW) and Dual-Rear-Wheel (DRW / dually) configurations. Standard 6.4L HEMI V8 (405 hp) and optional 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel I6 in standard (370 hp / 850 lb-ft) or high-output (430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft) tune. Properly equipped with the HO Cummins and DRW, fifth-wheel tow climbs to 36,610 lb and payload to 7,590 lb. Trims span Tradesman through Limited Longhorn and Limited. EPA does not publish fuel economy for trucks above 8,500 lb GVWR.
Ram 3500 Gallery2 photos
TradesmanDiamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat
Big HornBright White Clearcoat
Highlights of the 2026 RAM 3500
7 highlights
6.4L HEMI V8 standard (405 hp); 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel I6 optional in standard (370 hp / 850 lb-ft) or HO (430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft) tune
Up to 36,610 lb fifth-wheel tow rating with HO Cummins and DRW (properly equipped)
Up to 7,590 lb payload — leading the one-ton diesel pickup class in select configurations
SRW and Dual-Rear-Wheel (dually) configurations available across the trim range
Coil or available air rear suspension on most configurations for HD ride comfort
Trim ladder spans Tradesman work-truck through Limited / Limited Longhorn flagship
Factory gooseneck and fifth-wheel prep, integrated trailer brake controller, available 360-degree camera with trailer reverse guidance
Trim-Level Breakdown and Availability at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Compare available trim levels to find the right RAM 3500 for you. Pricing reflects current in-stock inventory.
Compare trimsTrim2 trims · 2 in stock
Tradesman1 in stock
Big Horn1 in stock
Pricing
Starting price
$63,249
$74,749
Top price
$63,249
$74,749
Powertrain
Drivetrain
4WD
4WD; Dual Rear Wheels
Fuel options
Diesel
Diesel
Engine
6 Cyl, 6.7L
6 Cyl, 6.7L
Standard equipment — safety & driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control
Forward collision-avoidance
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Front & rear parking sensors
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Rear occupant alert
Standard equipment — technology & infotainment
Built-in navigation
—
In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
Push-button start with proximity key
SiriusXM
—
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Standard equipment — comfort & convenience
Dual-zone climate control
—
Heated front seats
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Heated steering wheel
—
Memory driver seat & mirrors
Power-folding heated mirrors
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Remote engine start
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Standard equipment — interior & exterior
Front fog lamps
Integrated trailer brake controller
Spray-in bedliner
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Inside the RAM 3500
What the 2025 Ram 3500 is
The Ram 3500 is the heaviest Ram pickup — the one-ton, max-capability platform aimed at fifth-wheel haulers, large gooseneck loads, commercial fleets, and ranchers. It comes in Single-Rear-Wheel (SRW) and Dual-Rear-Wheel (DRW, or dually) configurations; the dually is what unlocks the highest payload and tow ratings. Powertrains mirror the 2500 — standard 6.4L HEMI V8 with 405 hp, optional 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel I6 in standard (370 hp / 850 lb-ft) or high-output (430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft) form. The HO Cummins paired with DRW and the right axle ratio is what produces Ram's headline 36,610 lb fifth-wheel tow figure.
Tow, payload, and choosing SRW vs DRW
If you're routinely pulling a heavy gooseneck or fifth-wheel — large RV, livestock trailer, equipment hauler — the dually 3500 with the HO Cummins is the right tool. SRW 3500s are the right pick for buyers who want one-ton payload and frame strength but don't need maximum tow ratings, or who park in places where the wider rear track of a dually is a hassle. Conventional (bumper-pull) tow ratings are lower than the gooseneck/5th-wheel figures because the limit becomes hitch capacity rather than truck capability — read the door-jamb sticker on a specific truck for its certified ratings.
Work and commercial use, plus the trim spread
Tradesman is the work spec — vinyl floors, plain cloth, the powertrain-and-frame pieces but minimal cabin frills. Big Horn and Laramie step up the comfort. Limited Longhorn and Limited are the flagships, with leather, heated and ventilated seats, large screens, and refined materials that genuinely feel premium for an HD platform. Ram also offers chassis-cab versions of the 3500 for upfitters, with factory PTO prep available on Cummins builds. Like the 2500, the 3500 has GVWR above 8,500 lb and is therefore not EPA fuel-economy tested.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Class-leading max fifth-wheel tow rating with the HO Cummins and DRW
Both SRW and DRW configurations across the lineup
Coil or air rear suspension is unusual at this duty rating and improves ride
Cummins inline-six is a long-life, well-regarded heavy-duty diesel
Available luxury trims (Limited, Limited Longhorn) on a one-ton platform
Factory gooseneck and fifth-wheel prep packages save aftermarket work
Integrated trailer brake controller and trailer-camera tech are well-developed
Cons
Dually width and turning circle are limiting in tight spaces
HO Cummins option adds substantial cost on top of an already expensive truck
DEF, fuel filters, and diesel maintenance intervals add operating cost
EPA does not publish fuel economy — budget for real-world consumption
Lower trims have utilitarian interiors compared to similarly priced 1500s
Why this matters around Elizabethtown
Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown, KY stocks 2026 Ram 3500 trucks for the Hardin County agricultural community, Radcliff and Fort Knox commercial operators, and Louisville-area fifth-wheel and gooseneck haulers — with Mopar diesel service on site for ongoing Cummins maintenance.
New 2026 RAM 3500 Inventory at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep RamLive
Current in-stock units at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.
Quick Order Package 24Z Big HornNight EditionBig Horn Level 1 Plus Equipment Group: Google Android AutoSiriusXM Radio Service
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 RAM 3500
Properly equipped with the 6.7L Cummins High Output diesel and a dual-rear-wheel chassis, the 2026 Ram 3500 tows up to 36,610 lbs gooseneck and approximately 23,000 lbs conventional. SRW configurations and the 6.4L HEMI V8 reduce maximum tow ratings — actual capacity depends on cab, bed, axle ratio, and equipment. Always confirm the door-jamb tow sticker for the specific truck.
The standard 6.7L Cummins makes 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque and is paired with the 68RFE six-speed automatic. The High Output Cummins makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft and is paired exclusively with the heavy-duty Aisin AS69RC six-speed automatic. The HO is required for the highest tow ratings and is the right call for operators who tow at or near maximum capacity regularly.
SRW 3500s drive and park more easily and still carry 4,000+ lbs of payload — good for hot-shot, large gooseneck travel trailers, or buyers who want HD running gear without dually width. DRW is the right answer when payload exceeds 5,000 lbs (heavy slide-in campers, big fifth-wheel pin weights) or when you're towing near the 36,000+ lb maximum. Match the configuration to the actual load.
No. Like all Class 3 trucks with a GVWR over 8,500 lbs, the Ram 3500 is exempt from EPA fuel economy testing and labeling. Real-world Cummins fuel economy varies widely with load and grade — empty highway figures in the high teens to low 20s mpg are common, with mid-to-high single digits when towing at maximum capacity.
Tradesman (work truck), Big Horn / Lone Star (popular volume trim), Laramie (leather and tech), Limited (full luxury with 12-inch Uconnect and ventilated leather), and Limited Longhorn (Western-themed top trim). Power Wagon configuration is not offered on the 3500 — that's a 2500-only package.
Both. The standard engine is the 6.4L HEMI V8 (405 hp / 429 lb-ft) with the 8-speed automatic — a strong gas option for buyers who don't want diesel maintenance. The 6.7L Cummins inline-six diesel is optional in standard (370 hp / 850 lb-ft) or High Output (430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft) tunes. Choose gas for lower up-front cost and simpler service; choose Cummins for towing-heavy duty cycles and higher resale.
Properly equipped Ram 3500 DRW configurations carry up to approximately 7,500 lbs of payload. SRW 3500s typically carry 4,000–5,000 lbs depending on cab, bed, and equipment. Payload is the right spec to focus on for slide-in truck campers and heavy fifth-wheel pin weights — always check the door-jamb sticker on the specific truck.
Yes. The factory gooseneck/fifth-wheel prep package includes the in-bed wiring, the puck system in the bed floor for ball or fifth-wheel hitch installation, and the heavy-duty trailer wiring harness. It's standard on most trims and significantly cheaper than aftermarket installation. Confirm the specific truck has the package before purchase if you plan to tow gooseneck or fifth-wheel.
The 6.7L Cummins inline-six is engineered for commercial duty cycles and routinely sees 300,000–500,000 miles with proper maintenance — fluid changes on schedule, DEF kept topped, and clean fuel. Many owner-operators run them past 500,000 miles. The diesel earns its premium over gas when the duty cycle is heavy towing or high annual mileage; for light-duty use, the 6.4L HEMI is often the better economic choice.
Yes — the 3500 is the workhorse of the lineup. Tradesman trim with the Cummins, DRW chassis, and a long bed is the configuration of choice for hot-shot, towing services, construction, and agricultural operators. The chassis cab variant (separate from the pickup) is also available for upfit with service bodies, dump beds, or flatbeds.
Yes. Our Mopar service department has diesel-trained technicians and the equipment for routine and warranty Cummins work — oil and filter service, DEF system service, fuel system diagnostics, and emissions work. Local Hardin County and Radcliff customers don't need to drive to Louisville for diesel service.
Yes. Heavy-duty trucks are commonly factory-ordered to spec because the configuration matrix (cab, bed, engine, axle ratio, DRW vs SRW, trim) is large and most buyers have specific requirements. We can walk through the order guide and lock in pricing before the truck is built. Order-to-delivery on HD Rams typically runs 8–12 weeks.
Yes. We appraise commercial trucks, work trucks, and older HD diesels regularly. Bring the truck in or send photos and the VIN and we'll work up a number. Diesel HD trucks tend to hold value well, especially Cummins-equipped trucks with documented service history.
For most multi-horse or multi-head livestock trailers, the Ram 2500 is plenty of truck. Step up to the 3500 (typically SRW with the Cummins) when the trailer is a large gooseneck, when you're hauling regularly at maximum capacity, or when you also want the payload margin for tack, feed, and equipment. We can size the truck to the trailer if you bring the trailer specs.
We sell pickup-bed Ram 3500s out of dealer stock. Chassis-cab Ram 3500s for upfitting (service bodies, dump beds, flatbeds, utility bodies) are typically factory-ordered and paired with a Mopar-approved upfitter. Talk to our commercial sales team and we'll coordinate the order and the upfit.
