Ram has increased the towing capability of its 3500 Heavy Duty pickup for the 2018 model year by offering a fifth-wheel option that would boost the maximum trailer weight rating to 30,000 pounds, Fiat Chrysler has announced.

With the updated capability, the 2018 Ram 3500 would rival towing capabilities offered by Class 4 and 5 medium-duty trucks.

The increase has been enabled by a more powerful 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel and a reconfigured design of the truck. Ram will offer the fifth-wheel as an upgrade through its Mopar Parts division (Part#: 82215769) or an upfit package. The part will retail for $1,395.

The boost adds more than 600 pounds of additional towing capability to a truck that offered 23,770 pounds of maximum trailer weight in 2017 with a traditional towing setup. The 2018 truck can tow 20,000 pounds with a traditional setup.

For 2018, Ram upgraded the truck's inline-six cylinder Cummins engine by increasing torque by 30 lb.-ft. to 930 lb.-ft. The higher torque was achieved through a variable geometry turbo and flow rate increases through the fuel delivery system, according to Ram.

"We understand the attributes most important to our customers within the heavy-duty segment; they demand hard-working, long-lasting capability," said Mike Manley, head of Jeep and Ram Brand.

The 2018 Ram 3500 will arrive at dealer lots this month.