New Ram HDs in 2027 or 2028

[Brutal_HO]

I’ve had 4 Rams and now 1 F-450. The Ford is actually a great truck but has its issues. Had a F-350 Tremor on order and backed out last second when it got to dealer. Something told me to hold out for 8 speed with Ram as I remember loving the Cummins / Ram but hated the trans/gearing, and said if they ever come out with a 8 speed I’d jump ship back to Ram. Well, I finally ordered a 26 hoping the gremlins are fixed with the new refresh.

The f-450 is an awesome truck. Turn radius, power (deleted), comfort of cab, etc. is outstanding. No complaints except for the 10 speed (and tired of a DRW setup thus going back to SRW). Replaced at 13k and still have issues. Shifts like crap and can’t stand the skip shifting at times. However, once on highway the truck is a beast towing 18k 40ft toy hauler. Having those 3 highway OD gears is awesome. Hope the 8 speed with basically 2 OD gears will yield similar results with better around town when not towing.

Yes - it would be nice to have the 1500 cab but will it ‘really’ make it better???? So many other areas are more important. For example, offer a larger fuel tank for Megacab, flat floor in rear seat area, full size sun roof, 8 ft bed with megacab, head up display, and lastly telescope steering. These are probably my wish list wants (but not needs).

I don’t need more HP/TQ. I’m sure the RAM will do just fine with the new 8 speed towing what I tow (no more than 20k trailers). Realiability and some better creature comforts and options to make me feel I got my 100k money worth. Spending this kind of coin it should be EXACTLY how you want it. No compromises.

These are exactly what the 5th gen cab brings.

 

[Biodiesel]

Let's keep this thread alive! Any more hints about 2028?

 

[regal2800]

I sure hope we are going to see something in '28!

 

[mzflorida]

I sure hope we are going to see something in '28!

Me too. Hoping it comes in 2027. I went from Ram to Ford F350 CCSB SO Lariat. CP4 failed (<15K miles), had to fight Ford and threaten lemon law before they agreed to repair it. It is is a very nice truck with a ton going for it and also tows my rig flawlessly. But I don't want to put in a DCR and risk warranty claim. Wife and I decided to go back to Ram 3500 as soon as the new design drops. Obviously, they all have their weak and strong points. We just don't want the CP4 apprehension syndrome anymore. Too many long trips planned with tis truck. Not bashing Ford, it's a super nice and capable truck. Just not the right one for us anymore for our reasons.

 

[HarryN]

The only way that the 1500 cab could possibly be used in a 3500 is if the existing frame / wheel base is long enough for it to fit with a long bed box.

AFAIK - it doesn't but I could be completely wrong.

That is why the megacab comes with a short bed.

The main problem is that the megacab is not available on more trim levels, nor on the 5500, which is entirely a marketing driven issue.

Some conversion companies take 5500s and turn them into SRW, add space that essentially mimics the megacab and storage, so it isn't like the marketing team needs any inspiration, just needs a kick in the pants.

The 1500 cab - AFAIK - doesn't provide all that much better protection to the back of the head during driving / impacts. That is one of the biggest reasons I want a megacab vs quad cab.

 

[Farmer 5500]

I’m not a big fan of the 10 speed in the GM trucks either, as they constantly seem to be hunting for a gear.

I’m driving a pickup, not a medium duty dump truck.

I have a heavy duty dump truck and the automatic is only a 5 speed Allison.



As a 5500 owner, I share some of the sentiments here on changes they’d like to see, but one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is this ridiculous “de-rating” of the cab & chassis trucks.
Hey Ram, let’s make this an option, ok? If the regional power company wants a fleet of de-rated C&C trucks, great. I completely understand why.

However, as a heavy puller with a 5500, why do I have to be stuck with 300 less FT LB of torque? I want to tow heavier than 99% of the pickup guys tow, and you stick me with lower HP/TQ.

Ford already offering 950FT LB in their C&C trucks.
Ram: Let’s step it up a little. I don’t like being lowest of the big 3 in TQ. Embarrassing for Cummins….

 

[securityguy]

Let's keep this thread alive! Any more hints about 2028?

Only if someone has a crystal ball.

 

[NDanecker]

Only if someone has a crystal ball.

Wife has a crystal ball and she is always right so there is that.

 

[Trash Panda]

I have a heavy duty dump truck and the automatic is only a 5 speed Allison.

View attachment 94428

As a 5500 owner, I share some of the sentiments here on changes they’d like to see, but one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is this ridiculous “de-rating” of the cab & chassis trucks.
Hey Ram, let’s make this an option, ok? If the regional power company wants a fleet of de-rated C&C trucks, great. I completely understand why.

However, as a heavy puller with a 5500, why do I have to be stuck with 300 less FT LB of torque? I want to tow heavier than 99% of the pickup guys tow, and you stick me with lower HP/TQ.

Ford already offering 950FT LB in their C&C trucks.
Ram: Let’s step it up a little. I don’t like being lowest of the big 3 in TQ. Embarrassing for Cummins….

We have a bunch of Maxxforce internationals with 5/6 speed Allisons in our fleet.

They are gutless pigs that seem to spend more time being worked on than they do running. I can’t wait till we finally have only Cummins or CAT powered rigs.

 

[Biodiesel]

Only if someone has a crystal ball.

I realize that any big updates would most likely happen for 2028, so we are still a ways out. I was just hoping there would be a few leaks by now. Ram has a new full-sized SUV coming for 2028. I can only assume it will either be a new cab design (6th gen) or Ram will be keeping the 5th gen cab. That will be the time for the Ram HD to also adopt the new cab design.

 

[AH64ID]

The only way that the 1500 cab could possibly be used in a 3500 is if the existing frame / wheel base is long enough for it to fit with a long bed box.

AFAIK - it doesn't but I could be completely wrong.

That is why the megacab comes with a short bed.

The main problem is that the megacab is not available on more trim levels, nor on the 5500, which is entirely a marketing driven issue.

Some conversion companies take 5500s and turn them into SRW, add space that essentially mimics the megacab and storage, so it isn't like the marketing team needs any inspiration, just needs a kick in the pants.

The 1500 cab - AFAIK - doesn't provide all that much better protection to the back of the head during driving / impacts. That is one of the biggest reasons I want a megacab vs quad cab.

Why wouldn’t the just adapt the frame for the body if needed?

The mega cab only comes with a short box because the long box would be crazy long and likely not sell well. The mega cab has its own frame, even on the 3rd Gen where the CCLB and MCSB shared the same wheelbase the frames were different. If Ram wanted to make a MCLB frame they could easily do so.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Why wouldn’t the just adapt the frame for the body if needed?

The mega cab only comes with a short box because the long box would be crazy long and likely not sell well. The mega cab has its own frame, even on the 3rd Gen where the CCLB and MCSB shared the same wheelbase the frames were different. If Ram wanted to make a MCLB frame they could easily do so.

It may have been mentioned elsewhere in this therad (or not) but I've seen/heard that the current production line can't handle a longer frame. As with all things on the internet, take that with a grain of salt. Unless it's coming from an actual employee that truly knows the reason.

 

[Farmer 5500]

We have a bunch of Maxxforce internationals with 5/6 speed Allisons in our fleet.

They are gutless pigs that seem to spend more time being worked on than they do running. I can’t wait till we finally have only Cummins or CAT powered rigs.

Sorry to hear that. They were the worst truck engines built in the last 50 years, so no surprise. Mine’s an ‘06, so it’s a pre-maxxforce 9.3L. (HT-570)
Very powerful, even for a heavy 6 wheeler, but had its’ share of problems. I did a head gasket, turbo and radiator on it. Previous owner wasn’t exactly keen on maintenance.

You’ll be waiting a long time for those CAT powered rigs. They stopped building OTR truck engines like 15 years ago.

 

[AH64ID]

It may have been mentioned elsewhere in this therad (or not) but I've seen/heard that the current production line can't handle a longer frame. As with all things on the internet, take that with a grain of salt. Unless it's coming from an actual employee that truly knows the reason.

They have to retool for most changes, so I’d hope it’s not too big of a hurdle…. Maybe it is and will help justify a move of the HD plant to US soil.

 

[Trash Panda]

Sorry to hear that. They were the worst truck engines built in the last 50 years, so no surprise. Mine’s an ‘06, so it’s a pre-maxxforce 9.3L. (HT-570)
Very powerful, even for a heavy 6 wheeler, but had its’ share of problems. I did a head gasket, turbo and radiator on it. Previous owner wasn’t exactly keen on maintenance.

You’ll be waiting a long time for those CAT powered rigs. They stopped building OTR truck engines like 15 years ago.

Yeah, I know they quit making them.

We snap them up as they become available at auction.

 

[Rattfink]

Let's keep this thread alive! Any more hints about 2028?

I'll throw my hat in the ring, and weigh in on this subject.

I honestly hope any changes for 27/28 are small adjustments, if anything.
In 25 we went back to iron block over compressed graphite which is heavier yet stiffer. Good in my book. Would I like the extra 75lbs of payload? Sure. But I prefer the block not flex.
Still using roller lifters. I was hoping for flats but improved rollers combined with the stiffer block sounds promising.

Got rid of the grid heater...this was probably one of the most common aftermarket mods so IMO a great change. I understand the cooling system is better set up to cool the last two cylinders-Another great change. The cab remains untouched and I love that. I do not want the cab to get any bigger than it is. Currently the Ram being the smallest HD truck is a huge attraction for me.

So what changes do I want personally? Honestly not much. The power is plenty adequate for anything I will ever need. I love what I hear about the transmission (especially compared to GM and Ford!). I would love for Ram and Cummins to take a long, measured strategy on this power plant. Essentially, just wait and see what the weak links are and adjust, and improve them. Focus on reliability and efficiency.

Full disclosure-I am a 1500 driver saving for my 3500 Cummins. Hopefully next year.

 

[Biodiesel]

Full disclosure-I am a 1500 driver saving for my 3500 Cummins. Hopefully next year.

Same here. We've been averaging between 8,000 - 10,000 miles per year towing with half ton trucks (EcoDiesel). I'm very happy with both trucks, but I need to add a Heavy Duty back into the fleet.

 

[WXman]

Going from a ’19 F-250 to a ’24 Ram 2500 taught me a few things. I always knew that the old 4th gen cab on these Rams (which we first saw 18 years ago!) was getting long in the tooth. But I guess until you buy one and live with it you don’t notice everything. No telescoping steering wheel? On a $68,000 truck? I’m 6’3”. My arms are pointed straight out and downward to drive this thing. It’s either that or move the seat forward and then fold my legs like a lawn chair. No lumbar adjustment in the seat? Are they kidding? A giant hump in the rear floor. A small rear bench with a cut-out in the middle. The cheapest, junkiest door panels I’ve ever seen. The window switchgear is literally loose and floppy on 2 or 3 of the doors like they’re going to fall out. The driver switchbank did fall out, so I’ve got it silicone’d into place. The exterior door handles feel cheap to the touch. The sound the doors make when they close reminds me of my 1988 Chevy. It’s just pitiful. My ’19 F-250 was a stripped down XLT with zero options and vinyl floors, but it had none of these issues.

I really want to know why Ram never moved the 5th gen cab to the HD line. I had a couple of 5th Gen 1500s and those had none of these issues either. Seems like Ram has a cure for all the woes…they just won’t execute.

As far as the powertrain goes, I honestly don’t want or need more power. The SO Cummins is plenty. I’m sure the ‘25+ trucks are more than enough. I would rather see improved build quality and reliability than more power. But, there are strong rumors still floating that Ram is going to adapt the new 7.2 to the pickups and there are even some hard specs floating around so time will tell if there’s any truth to them.

 

[DarkHorse8]

Going from a ’19 F-250 to a ’24 Ram 2500 taught me a few things. I always knew that the old 4th gen cab on these Rams (which we first saw 18 years ago!) was getting long in the tooth. But I guess until you buy one and live with it you don’t notice everything. No telescoping steering wheel? On a $68,000 truck? I’m 6’3”. My arms are pointed straight out and downward to drive this thing. It’s either that or move the seat forward and then fold my legs like a lawn chair. No lumbar adjustment in the seat? Are they kidding? A giant hump in the rear floor. A small rear bench with a cut-out in the middle. The cheapest, junkiest door panels I’ve ever seen. The window switchgear is literally loose and floppy on 2 or 3 of the doors like they’re going to fall out. The driver switchbank did fall out, so I’ve got it silicone’d into place. The exterior door handles feel cheap to the touch. The sound the doors make when they close reminds me of my 1988 Chevy. It’s just pitiful. My ’19 F-250 was a stripped down XLT with zero options and vinyl floors, but it had none of these issues.

I really want to know why Ram never moved the 5th gen cab to the HD line. I had a couple of 5th Gen 1500s and those had none of these issues either. Seems like Ram has a cure for all the woes…they just won’t execute.

As far as the powertrain goes, I honestly don’t want or need more power. The SO Cummins is plenty. I’m sure the ‘25+ trucks are more than enough. I would rather see improved build quality and reliability than more power. But, there are strong rumors still floating that Ram is going to adapt the new 7.2 to the pickups and there are even some hard specs floating around so time will tell if there’s any truth to them.

But does it tow….hmmm.