Blog

Heavy Duty | Graham, TX The weight numbers, hitch choices and heat habits that matter when a Ram 3500 pulls a big trailer. Pulling a big trailer from Graham to Abilene in July is a different job from pulling it in April. The load is the same, but the heat, the grades and the hours behind the wheel change what the truck has to do. A Ram 3500 is built for that work, and Holiday Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram sells it in Graham. This post explains the numbers that matter, the hitch choices and the simple habits that keep a heavy rig calm in summer. Quick answer: Match the trailer to the truck using three numbers: the trailer's loaded weight, the truck's tow rating and the weight on the hitch. Pick a gooseneck or fifth wheel for heavy trailers, use the factory tow settings and watch temperatures on long grades. Check every rating on the exact truck. At a glance Numbers Loaded weight, tow rating, hitch weight Hitch Gooseneck or fifth wheel for heavy loads Summer Watch temperature on long grades In this post Which numbers matter when you tow with a Ram 3500? Gooseneck, fifth wheel or bumper pull? How does a diesel Ram help under load? What does summer heat change? Questions to ask before you buy for towing Which numbers matter when you tow with a Ram 3500? Three, and they're easy to mix up. The first is the trailer's real loaded weight, which you get from a scale and not from the sales sheet. The second is the truck's tow rating. The third is the weight the trailer puts on the hitch, which counts against the truck's payload. Payload is where many people get surprised. Passengers, tools in the bed and the hitch itself all eat into it before the trailer is counted. A truck can hit its payload limit before it hits its tow limit. Common mistake: reading the tow rating and forgetting payload. Common mistake: using an empty trailer weight instead of a loaded one. Gooseneck, fifth wheel or bumper pull? Heavy trailers usually ride on a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch in the bed, which puts the load over the rear axle and gives steadier handling. Bumper pull hitches work for lighter trailers but get twitchy as weight climbs. A fifth wheel hitch uses a plate and a kingpin, and a gooseneck uses a ball in the bed. Both need a truck with the right prep and a bed that can accept them, so ask the sales team what the Ram 3500 you like already has. Trailer brakes matter at any weight. Confirm the controller works and the connection is secure before every trip. A gooseneck fits you if You haul livestock or equipment trailers, want a simple ball setup and care about a clean bed when the hitch is out. A fifth wheel fits you if You tow a large camper or toy hauler and want the smooth feel of a kingpin connection. How does a diesel Ram help under load? The Cummins Turbo Diesel makes strong torque at low engine speeds, which keeps the truck from working hard on a grade. Diesels in Ram HD trucks also offer an exhaust brake that helps control speed on long downhills, which saves your service brakes. A gas engine can still do the job on lighter trailers. The right answer depends on trailer weight and miles per year. A truck can hit its payload limit before it hits its tow limit. What does summer heat change? Everything runs hotter. Engine coolant, transmission fluid and brakes all see more heat when a heavy trailer is behind you at 100 degrees. Leave earlier, stop for fuel before the tank gets low and watch the gauges on every long grade. A pre trip service check helps. The Holiday CDJR service department can look at coolant, belts, hoses, brakes and tires. The Express Lane lists coolant and fluid level checks, which is a quick way to start. 1 Before. Check tires, hitch, lights, coolant and brakes. 2 During. Watch temperatures and ease off if they climb. 3 After. Look at the tires and hitch for wear before the next trip. Questions to ask before you buy for towing Ask for the tow and payload numbers on the exact truck, ask what hitch prep it has and ask whether the engine and axle fit your trailer. Bring your trailer's weight and your hitch type to the conversation. Ask about service as well. A truck that tows a lot needs fluids and filters on time, and the shop that knows it matters. Browse the Ram inventory page to see what's on the lot. Schedule a test drive See the Ram 2500 specials Heavy Duty | Graham, TX Order the exact truck Axle ratio, cab and engine all affect towing. If the Ram 3500 you need isn't on the lot, start a preorder and a sales specialist will follow up. Start a preorder Weight and ratings How do I find the tow rating on my truck? + Check the owner's manual and the door jamb stickers. Ratings change by engine, axle ratio and cab. What is hitch weight? + It's the weight the trailer puts on the hitch. It counts against the truck's payload. How do I know my trailer's real weight? + Take it loaded to a public scale. That number beats any estimate. Hitches and brakes What is the difference between a gooseneck and a fifth wheel? + A gooseneck uses a ball in the bed. A fifth wheel uses a plate and kingpin. Both mount over the rear axle. Do I need a trailer brake controller? + If your trailer has electric brakes, yes. Ask the parts department what fits. What is an exhaust brake? + It's a diesel feature that helps slow the truck on downhill grades by adding engine braking. Heat and maintenance Does summer heat hurt towing performance? + It makes cooling harder. Watch your gauges and service coolant on schedule. How often should I service a truck that tows a lot? + Follow the severe service schedule in the manual, and ask the shop about fluids and filters. Can the Express Lane check my fluids before a trip? + It lists coolant and fluid level checks along with a multipoint checkup. Trucks and trade Does Holiday CDJR sell Ram 3500 trucks? + Yes. Check the Ram inventory page to see what's on the lot. Can I finance a heavy duty truck? + The finance department can walk you through options, and you can start online. Can I trade a smaller truck toward a Ram 3500? + Yes. Use the Value Your Trade form and bring it in for a look. Service and contact Who services a Ram 3500 in Graham? + The Holiday CDJR service department works on Ram trucks. Where can I look at a Ram 3500 in person? + At Holiday Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1609 US Highway 380 in Graham, Texas 76450. Who do I call with towing questions? + Call the store at (940) 532-6403 and ask for sales or the service team. Meet the service team See the work the Graham shop does on heavy duty trucks. Service department Check your trade Find out what your current truck could be worth. Value your trade

Heavy Duty | Graham, TX Pickup, dually or chassis cab: how a Ram 3500 gets matched to ranch loads in Young County. Hay season in North Texas starts as a plan and ends as a lot of bales. By the time a rancher counts the trips to the field, the truck on the ranch isn't the one that gets pushed. It's the one that runs the work every day. The Ram 3500 is Ram's heaviest pickup, and Holiday Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram stocks it in Graham. This post sorts out the body styles, what separates a 3500 from a 2500 and what to check before you sign for one. Quick answer: The Ram 3500 is for owners whose loads regularly outgrow a 2500. It comes as a pickup, with dual rear wheels in some builds, and as a chassis cab for custom bodies like flatbeds and hay beds. Check payload, axle and tow ratings on the exact truck. At a glance Truck Ram 3500 heavy duty Body styles Pickup and chassis cab Uses Hay, cattle, equipment, work bodies In this post What makes a Ram 3500 different from a 2500? Pickup or chassis cab: which body fits the work? How does a Ram 3500 handle hay and cattle? Is the Cummins diesel the only way to go? Questions to settle before you sign What makes a Ram 3500 different from a 2500? Capacity is the short answer. The 3500 is built to carry and pull more, and some builds add dual rear wheels for stability under a heavy load. If your 2500 sits low in the rear with a full bed, or you're always near its limits, that's the sign. Don't buy a 3500 for bragging rights. It rides firmer when empty, costs more to run and is longer to park. If your heaviest day is a 3,000 pound load, a 2500 may serve you better. Graham tip: Weigh your real loads. A trip to the scale with a full trailer is worth more than any brochure, and it tells you whether a 2500 or a 3500 is the honest answer. Pickup or chassis cab: which body fits the work? A pickup keeps the bed, the crew cab and the daily driver comfort. It's the choice for a ranch owner who uses the truck as a personal vehicle too. A chassis cab leaves the back open for a custom body. A hay bed, a flatbed or a service body bolts on, and the truck becomes a tool built around one job. The Holiday CDJR commercial department handles work vehicles, so ask there if a body is part of the plan. Think about resale too. A pickup is easier to sell later, and a specialized body narrows the buyers. A pickup fits you if The truck is also your family vehicle, you want a bed you can leave stock and you tow with a gooseneck or fifth wheel. A chassis cab fits you if The truck is a work tool, you plan a flatbed or hay bed and resale matters less than function. How does a Ram 3500 handle hay and cattle? Round bales and square bales are heavy and awkward. A flatbed or a hay spike on a chassis cab keeps the loading simple, and the truck's frame and brakes are designed for the weight. For cattle, the trailer does the hauling and the truck does the pulling. A gooseneck is common in this part of Texas because the hitch sits over the rear axle, and a heavy duty truck handles the tongue weight better. Ask your tech about brakes and tires before the season, since both work harder under a load. Don't guess: payload and tow ratings change with cab, axle ratio and engine. Read the sticker on the truck you're buying. Is the Cummins diesel the only way to go? It's the popular one for heavy work, thanks to its torque and endurance. A gas engine is available on heavy duty Rams too, and it can make sense for light use, short hauls and lower upfront cost. Match the engine to the miles. A ranch truck that covers short trips and tows a few times a month has different needs from a hauler that runs a hundred miles a day. Match the engine to the miles. Questions to settle before you sign Ask for the exact payload and tow numbers on the build, the axle ratio and whether the truck has hitch prep for your trailer. Ask what's included for warranty and what the service schedule looks like. Ask about business use too. Work trucks can have tax and financing differences, so talk with the finance department and your accountant. Visit the commercial department Schedule a test drive Heavy Duty | Graham, TX Build it your way A specific cab, axle or body not on the lot is a normal request for a heavy duty buyer. Start the preorder form and a sales specialist will follow up. Start a preorder Choosing the truck When should I move from a 2500 to a 3500? + When your usual loads are close to the 2500's limits or you pull a heavy gooseneck regularly. Weigh a real load before deciding. Does a dually matter? + Dual rear wheels add stability and capacity for heavy loads. They also make the truck wider, so check your gates and garage. Can I get a Ram 3500 with a crew cab? + Yes, crew cab pickups are common. Check the inventory pages to see what's on the lot. Work bodies and chassis cabs What is a chassis cab? + It's a truck with a cab and frame but no bed, built so a body like a flatbed or service box can be added. Who adds the body? + Body upfitters handle that. The commercial department can explain the process and point you to the right questions. Can I still tow with a chassis cab? + Yes, but confirm the hitch, ratings and wiring for the body you plan. Towing and loads What hitch suits livestock trailers? + Many ranchers use a gooseneck. Ask whether the truck has the prep and what the trailer's tongue weight is. How do I know how much I can carry? + Read the payload on the door jamb sticker, and subtract passengers and gear. Do I need to service brakes more often? + Heavy use wears brakes and tires faster. Have both checked before busy seasons. Buying and financing Does Holiday CDJR sell commercial trucks? + Yes. The store has a commercial department and a commercial inventory page. Can I finance a work truck? + The finance department can walk you through options. Start with the online application. Can I trade in my old ranch truck? + Yes. Use the trade form and bring the truck in for a look. Service and the lot Who services a Ram 3500? + The Holiday CDJR service department works on Ram trucks, including heavy duty models. Where is the Holiday CDJR store located? + It sits on US Highway 380 in Graham, at number 1609, zip code 76450. How can I contact the sales team? + Call (940) 532-6403 or use the Contact page on the website. See commercial inventory Look at work ready Ram trucks and vans on the lot. Commercial inventory Start a finance application Get approval started before you visit. Finance application