According to numerous reports, the 2019 RAM Heavy Duty 3500 is the best hot shot truck on the market today. This heavy duty truck comes with two different engines with a total of three power levels and three unique transmission options.
Although the basic 5.7L HEMI is no longer available, the RAM Heavy Duty new base engine, the 6.4L V8 is living up to its bid.
This engine is a carryover from the 2018 model, and power rating stays the same with the 6.4, making 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque.
According to report, this truck makes 1,000 pound-feet of torque at just 1800 RPM while horsepower comes in at 400 horses made at 2800 RPM.
The high output engine gets its own unique six-speed automatic transmission to handle all of that power. And this unit from Aisin has been upgraded with a new electronic controller that can deliver quicker and more precise shifts.
Owing to these power numbers, RAM is the class leader when it comes to torque and also the first pickup manufacturer to break that 1000 pound-feet barrier. But interestingly, they’re not class leading in horsepower. That goes to the Ford Powerstroke with 450 horses.
Also note that a brand new fRAMe has also been included with this 2019 RAM, and it is helping to boost its payload and towing numbers.
Therefore, the maximum gooseneck trailer towing capacity on this truck comes in at 35,100 pounds while the maximum payload on a 3500 dually is rated at 7,680 pounds.
Have it in mind that this truck uses 98.5 percent high strength steel. It comes with six separate cross members, hydro-formed main rails, and fully boxed rear rail sections.
According to RAM, this fRAMe has the best torsional rigidity in the heavy-duty truck segment. It helped to reduce overall weight on the truck by up to 143 pounds.
And if you’re wondering about DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) and fuel capacity, the new HD has the exact same size tanks as it did before.
Both the cab and the bed are a carryover from the outgoing RAM HD truck. But to make sure this truck doesn’t look too much like the old one, it comes with new lights and an entirely new front fascia.
In addition, the 12-inch touch screen has also been introduced into the RAM heavy duty. And finally, when you’re talking about the RAM heavy-duty line-up, you cannot forget about the Power Wagon.
The truck still comes with a factory suspension lift, unique suspension tuning, front and rear locking differentials, a disconnecting sway bar, and a 12,000-pound winch.
Now under the hood, there is still the same 6.4L HEMI V8. But where the technology really did step up on the Power Wagon is with the inclusion of that 12-inch screen along with the 360-degree around view camera system.
Best Types of Truck for Hot Shot Trucking
There’s no doubt that the RAM3500 truck looks imposing and impressive. Now, it may not be perfect for everybody, but it might be for most. Nonetheless, here are other top trucks that are best for hot shot trucking.
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RAM 2500 Big Horn
This truck assures a hot shot trucker a responsive and powerful driving experience. Its 6.4L HEMI V8 engine is the secret behind it.
Its 6.7-liter six-inline Cummins turbo-diesel that is used in the 3500 generates power too. Since it is a six-speed manual truck, it can produce 350 horsepower and 660 lbs.-feet of torque. But, for usual six-speed automatic brands, such a number can go up to 370 horsepower and 800 pound feet.
The crew cab Ram 2500 Cummins contains the least torque of the lot; it can tow objects up to 17,060 pounds. Better than the rest of its counterparts. In terms of payloads, it has a 2,540-pound maximum payload (perfect for a 2WD).
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Nissan Titan XD
In terms of capability and features, the 2019 Nissan Titan is invincible. Its power train is incredibly powerful. It has a rugged yet premium design. It comes with a full suite of features for protection. Its America’s Best Truck Warranty is an attestation to it.
In addition, this type of truck is built with the most modern technology that can help you get to your journey’s end with ease. That being known, you drive with better awareness and confidence.
Not just that, you will experience the freedom and satisfaction to take all the control as you drive. You will be ready to face any road challenge with its advanced features, innovative technology, and 555 pound-feet of available Cummins Turbo diesel power.
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GMC’s Sierra 3500HD
This pickup truck is one of the latest dually these days. It’s ideal for moving a large amount of freight. It’s available in both 1-ton and three-quarter-ton configurations, so you can be confident that it has the muscle to move your cargo.
It comes with cutting-edge safety features, luxuriously refined interior treatments, easy handling, and robust capability. You can have either a diesel or a gasoline engine.
Both generate nearly 400 horsepower and their 6.0-liter gasoline engine delivers 380 ft-lbs of torque and 360 horsepower. GM uses the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 engine and Allison six-speed automatic in the larger 3500HD Chevy and GMC. It’s GM’s most-powerful diesel ever.
Both also come with six-speed automatic transmissions. You can always get the four-wheel drive option if you want. With a fifth wheel, Sierra 3500HD is up to towing 23,200 pounds.
Maximum payload is 7,180 pounds. You can enjoy a quiet highway ride, especially if your truck is working hard to tow a massive load behind you.
This truck gets more than 12 miles per gallon when towing 8,500 lbs. The dualies tow significantly more than a 3500HD with single rear wheels.
A crew cab with an 8-foot bed is rated to tow 20,000 pounds (at 2WD or 4WD). That’s more than what the Ram 3500 can do. Its maximum payload with 2WD is of 5,381 pounds.
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FORD F-450 Lariat Super Duty Commercial
Ford’s engineers have reworked the suspension and upgraded the engine. The F-450 Super Duty’s towing capacity is now 31,200 pounds.
The potential payload is 7,260 pounds. You also get one choice of cab, bed, and powertrain. Note that this four-door crew cab comes with an eight-foot cargo bed.
It’s a four-wheel drive, with dual rear wheels, and Ford’s earth-moving 6.7-liter turbo diesel, yielding 860 ft-lbs of torque and 440 horsepower.
Engine exhaust braking comes standard to help the F-450 keep the load in check when going down slopes. A limited-slip differential and a six-speed transmission complete the powertrain
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CHEVROLET Silverado 3500HD
The Silverado 3500 is like a rock — sturdy and robust — and can haul huge objects over far distances. The truck comes with two choices:
First, a 360-horsepower, gasoline Vortec 6.0-liter V8. It produces 380 pound-feet of torque and uses a six-speed automatic transmission.
Second, a 397-horsepower, Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8. It can generate 765 pound-feet of torque via a stronger version of the six-speed. Chevrolet also offers a four-wheel drive with both (or in this case, six-wheel drive).
Note that the dually trucks max out at 7,180 pounds of payload and 23,200 pounds of trailer. With a maximum 445 horsepower and a high torque rating of 910 pound-feet, the dualies tow significantly more.
A crew cab with an 8-foot bed (2WD or 4WD), is rated to tow 20,000 pounds — 2,000 pounds more than the Ram 3500 — and can carry a max payload of 5,381 pounds with 2WD.
Conclusion
Operating a hotshot business requires a good truck. The success of this kind of business tends to depend on how reliable your trucks in the garage are. Therefore, to ensure success in this business, you need nothing but efficient and strong hotshot trucks.
Howbeit, choosing the finest ones is not easy. The competition is tight. Brands come in multitude while only very few models are available to choose from. However, RAM 3500 Tradesman has proven to be the best truck for hotshot.
This model has a heavy duty diesel engine made by Cummins, which is one of the biggest and oldest engine manufacturers in the world.
Their engines power a great variety of equipment from semi-trucks (Volvo), agriculture, construction machines, school buses, to specialized industrial machinery.