2024 Ram 3500 Mega Cab

Going toe to toe with the Ford Super Duty, Chevy Silverado HD, and the GMC Sierra HD rivals, the Ram HD delivers the bulk and power required to tow big trailers and haul ultra-heavy loads. (If neither of these tasks falls into what you require a pickup to do, we recommend you consider the less pricey, more fuel-stingy Ram 1500 that we review separately.) However, the Ram HD isn’t just about tackling extreme jobs; it’s also about delivering a comfortable and sometimes even a near-luxury environment while doing it.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size, heavy-duty trucks, including the Ram HD.

All is quiet for the Ram HD trucks for 2024. Ram chose not to make any significant changes to these work-bred trucks.

Of the seven 2500 trim levels, only the Rebel and Power Wagon aren’t available as a 3500. Three (Regular, Crew, and Mega) cab configurations populate the Ram HD, but not all trims are available with all cab styles. The lower three trims are rear-wheel drive as standard; however, you can add 4-wheel drive as an option for just under $3,000. The upper grades only come with 4-wheel drive. To further muddy the waters, Ram rebrands its Big Horn grade models sold in Texas as Lone Star. The priciest Ram HD is the 4-wheel-drive Ram 3500 Limited Mega Cab at $92,220.

Generally, the Regular Cab rear-wheel-drive competitors start at less than the Ram HD’s base starting point by at least $2,000. If you don’t require the Ram HD’s work ethic, the half-ton Ram 1500 starts at $38,570.

Before buying the Ram HD, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. To date, the Ram HD trucks hold their value about as well as comparable competitor trucks.

Let’s get the work truck angle covered first. The maximum tow rating for the 2024 Ram 3500 is 37,090 pounds, while the Ram 2500 can pull up to 20,000 pounds. Only the Ford Super Duty can match or come close. For payloads, the 2500 Tradesman Regular Cab with the 6.4-liter V8 and rear-wheel drive can take 4,010 pounds. The 3500 equivalent is rated at 7,680 pounds. In this respect, the Silverado/Sierra HD twins can’t compete with the Ram HD, but the Ford Super Duty leads the class.

For buyers who feel a 3/4-ton truck like the Ram 2500 is perhaps overkill but still want more than what a half-ton truck can deliver, the soon-to-be-discontinued Nissan Titan XD might work. Its total payload capability is more than 2,400 pounds, and it can tow up to 11,033 pounds.

Serving as the base engine in the 2500 and 3500 models is the 410-horsepower V8. The engine upgrade for the four lower 2500 trims is a 370-horsepower turbocharged diesel 6-cylinder, which is the standard engine for the upper two 2500 grades. Bumping up to the 3500, the lower three trims still get the V8 as standard and the turbodiesel as an upgrade; however, a second upgrade option is a high-output 420-horsepower version of the turbodiesel. For the 3500 versions of the Limited Longhorn and Limited grades, the turbodiesel becomes the standard mill, with the high-output version as the upgrade.

The difference a Ram makes is in ride quality, especially the 2500’s rear coil springs, bringing an unusual refinement. Even the off-road-ready Rebel model gave us a pleasant surprise with its agreeable ride quality. An adaptive air suspension is optional, even with the rear leaf springs of the 3500.

Fuel Economy

Heavy-duty trucks aren’t subject to EPA mileage tests; consequently, there are no estimated mileage numbers. But, expect per-gallon fuel economy in the teens, which is average for the segment.

In the world of full-size trucks, Ram has put a lot of effort into upgrading its interiors to the point that, particularly in the higher trims, they are downright luxurious. This spills into the HD trucks, as well. Consequently, when compared to the competition, Ram often shines.

As for interior space, it varies because there’s a choice of cabs: Regular, Crew, or Mega. If you’ve never heard of a Mega Cab, don’t feel alone. Bigger than a Crew Cab, it’s totally unique to some Ram 3500 models. The Regular Cab has one row of seating for up to three occupants. The Crew and Mega cabs have two rows, with the driver and one passenger sitting up front, plus 3-person accommodations behind. We find all the seats comfortable.

One difference between the 2024 Ram HD Crew Cab and Mega Cab is that the Mega has more stowage behind its rear seats — 9.1 cubic feet, compared with the Crew’s 3.4. Those seats also recline. Both are generous with rear legroom. The Crew has 40.2 inches, and the Mega enjoys 43.1, which is on the high side for the segment.

In typical heavy-duty truck fashion, the Tradesman is a relatively rudimentary model with vinyl flooring, vinyl or cloth seating surfaces, and a tiny 5-inch infotainment display. Trim levels then become plusher and plusher until they top out with the Limited version. This brings items like leather-covered seats, real wood cabin accents, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

Tip: We recommend selecting the optional digital rearview mirror with the Crew or Mega cabs since the second seating row has a fixed center headrest that hinders outward vision.

In general terms, the Ram HD is huge. Some configurations are just more huge than others. The tall Rebel and Power Wagon trims are a bit of a struggle to climb into, but we’re grateful that side steps are still optional on these off-roaders. The thing about the 4-door Mega Cab is that it comes solely with the 76-inch cargo bed (and 4-wheel drive). The 4-door Crew offers a choice of that or a 96-inch bed. The 2-door Regular Cab is paired only with the longer bed. Lockable storage bins on either side of the bed are available. Like its rivals from Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC, the Ram HD also offers a dual rear-wheel setup, sometimes called a dually. A Mopar sport performance hood with extra air inlets is optional for the Laramie and Limited versions.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
We’d call smartphone integration a necessity, but Ram disagrees. This is unavailable until the Big Horn trim, one up from the base Tradesman, where it’s on the options list. Amazon Alexa compatibility is also available.

12.3-inch digital driver information display
This 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is configurable. When complemented by the 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, they push the cabin’s high-tech feel as high as it will go. Optional in Laramie trim, standard in the Limited Longhorn and Limited trims.

Digital rearview mirror
Enhanced just last year with side camera integration, this optional feature can typically show a video feed of what’s behind the truck without passengers’ heads or cargo getting in the way. It also has a tow mode, so the trailer can “disappear.”

Trailer Reverse Steering Control
Another option for the Ram HD range is: Turn the control in the center console in the desired direction, and this system handles the steering while the driver controls the brakes and accelerator.

Power Wagon
Available only as a 2500 Crew Cab, this is the off-road specialist. In addition to sporting 4-wheel drive as standard, it also offers a disconnecting front anti-roll bar to provide as much axle articulation as possible. Other goodies are a Warn Zeon-12 winch (rated at 12,000 pounds and with a kink- and fray-resistant synthetic line), electronic locking front/rear differentials, and a specialized Bilstein suspension.

Harman Kardon audio
Only available as an option in the top Limited trim, this 17-speaker/900-watt surround-sound system would be an appropriate finishing touch for any luxury interior.

The Ram HD uses a 3-engine powertrain strategy: one gas V8 and two versions of a Cummins 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel. An 8-speed automatic transmission handles switching the cogs with the V8, while a 6-speed automatic transmission fulfills shifting duties with the turbodiesels. By far, the more capable for towing and hauling are the turbodiesels. The regular one can generate up to 850 lb-ft of torque; however, the real powerhouse is the high-output version with a class-leading 1,075 lb-ft of torque. As a comparison, the Ford Super Duty has a diesel with 1,050 lb-ft of torque, while the Chevy equivalent makes 910 lb-ft.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Ram HD’s bumper-to-bumper limited warranty protection is the class standard of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Limited warranty coverage for the powertrain is also the segment norm’s five years or 60,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

As is the case with its rivals, the Ram HD trucks have not been submitted to any third-party crash or safety tests. Only a few advanced safety technologies are available for Ram HD models. They include forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera.