Ram ProMaster Chassis Cab — If you’ve been paying attention to the truck community as of late, we just witnessed the Ram 1500 pull off an amazing trifecta of Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award. Three years in a row for any car or truck is impressive to say the least. In fact, the half-ton pickup market dominates just about every facet of advertising related to the Big Three American manufacturers. But, it might come as a surprise that there are other highlights to a company like Ram that don’t get near the attention they deserve. One such example is the ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab.
The 3500 CC is configurable to just about any specification your imagination can come up with. Available in three cargo length/wheelbase options: 10-foot/136-inch wheelbase, 12-foot/159-inch wheelbase or 13-foot/159-inch extended wheelbase. The bare chassis cab is made of reinforced steel that allows this truck to haul and tow a considerable sum. For beginners, a truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total max weight the truck can handle, including passengers, cargo, and fuel. It does not however include anything the truck may be towing. The 3500 CC has a GVWR of 9,350 pounds, which is a substantial amount of weight for just about anything your chosen vocation can throw at it. Maximum payload is the weight that a truck can have inside its cab and cargo area, which includes people and stuff. The max payload for our Chassis Cab is a serious 5,170 pounds.
Maximum towing seems somewhat self-explanatory, but is simply the amount of weight a truck can tow with minimal payload. The max towing for the ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab is 5,100 pounds. Finally, the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the combination of GVWR and Maximum Towing — it is the max weight of both the loaded truck and whatever it may also be towing. For our truck, this number chimes in at a legit 11,500 pounds.
Chassis strength is one component of these facts and figures, but so is the drivetrain. The 3500 CC is powered by a DOHC 3.6-liter V6 that makes a respectable 280-horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. That power is then funneled through a 6-speed automatic transmission and then on to the rear wheels.
The interior of the ProMaster isn’t anything overly exciting, but as work trucks go, it is quite comfortable. The digital dash has all the basic info readily available to the driver, while the central infotainment screen serves as a focal point for the passenger, or anyone on their lunch break. The shifter and HVAC knobs are cleanly laid out, and does its best to not distract.
Speaking of distractions, Ram offers up significant safety features to make sure your work, and your crew, stay safe at all times. Forward Collision Warning steps in to try and avoid collisions by applying partial braking force. If that braking doesn’t work as well as it should, the adaptive venting technology in the front two airbags helps keep passengers safe, as does the additional four airbags around the cabin. Electronic Stability Control w/Trailer Sway Control does its best to make sure you stay on the road, while it works in tandem with Crosswind Assist to make sure you aren’t caught off guard by some crazy storm.
You can have your Ram in one of ten fun colors, and with an MSRP starting price of just $31,090, the 3500 Chassis Cab has proven it might just deserve a bit more fanfare than its attention-loving sibling.
Related: 2020 FORD TRANSIT CC-CA
