Well-known for its durable vehicles and tough reputation, Ram is a brand with a narrow focus. Where other brands have lineups that range from sporty convertibles to compact hatchbacks and massive SUVs, Ram sticks to pickup trucks and vans that are designed with workers in mind. If you’re in the market for a vehicle that can handle towing and hauling day in and day out, you’ve come to the right place. In this Ram buyers guide, we’re going to take a look at all of the different models Ram has to offer in 2022—and what each one brings to the table.
Ram 1500
First up, we have the Ram 1500. This versatile option is great for those who want a capable workhorse and a comfortable everyday vehicle rolled into one. There are five different engines to choose from for the 2022 model, including a V8 that provides 395 horsepower and a fuel-efficient diesel six-cylinder that can give you 480 lb-ft of torque. Depending on your fuel of choice and how much towing and hauling capacity you need, you can pick the one that works best for you. When properly equipped, this truck can tow up to 12,750 lbs.
When you work hard all day, it’s nice to have a comfortable cabin that you can kick back in during breaks and commutes. The 1500 offers supportive seats with plenty of legroom in both rows. It has a high-quality air filtration system, so you can breathe easily, even on the dustiest of construction sites. While in motion, the suspension system keeps bumps in the road from disturbing drivers and passengers. The most basic option comes with rear suspension that uses coil springs that do a fine job, but you can also upgrade to air suspension for an even smoother ride.
Ram 1500 TRX
The regular 1500 is all well and good when it comes to roads, but if you want to take on rough terrain, you should check out the 1500 TRX. It’s not Ram’s most powerful model when it comes to towing and payload, but it can still hold its own with a maximum capacity of 8,100 lbs for towing and 1,310 lbs for hauling. And don’t think it’s not plenty powerful: its supercharged V8 engine offers 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, plus the ability to go from zero to sixty in just 4.5 seconds.
If you work hard and play hard, the TRX can serve double duty, hauling cargo Monday through Friday and adventuring on the weekends. It’s designed to handle mud, rocky trails, and even sandy deserts—so no matter where you like to off-road, it’s up to the task. The TRX’s Bilstein Black Hawk shock system actively monitors speed, steering angle, throttle position, and more; it adjusts in real-time to keep you in control, even in the wildest of circumstances.
Ram 1500 Classic
The most affordable option in Ram’s lineup, the 1500 Classic is a good choice for workers who want a good bang for their buck. Able to tow 10,620 lbs and haul 1,810 lbs when properly equipped, it’s still plenty strong. And, while it may not be loaded with all the bells and whistles you’ll find on pricier models, the Classic still has a comfortable interior with an infotainment center that features a touchscreen, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and integrated voice commands that let you use your tech hands-free.
While the Classic may have a retro design, it’s up-to-date when it comes to safety. Six airbags work to protect humans and cargo alike in case of a collision. The truck’s high-strength steel frame is rated at 50,000 psi, so it should last a good long while—even if it gets a lot of use.
Ram 2500
If you like the 1500 but need to tow and haul more than it can handle, the 2500 is worth considering. With a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 lbs, this truck is plenty capable and an asset to any worksite. Its bold exterior reflects the truck’s toughness and signals to everyone else on the road that its driver is not to be messed with.
When it comes to towing, a high capacity is crucial, but safety features are important, too. Towing heavy cargo can be dangerous, especially at highway speeds, and keeping your truck in control takes skill. The tech built into the 2500 can give you a leg up, with features like a 360° camera that gives you a bird’s eye view, trailer tire pressure monitoring that keeps you updated in real-time, and a trailer hitch light that makes it easy to hook up a trailer—day or night.
Ram 3500
Still need more power? Well, buckle up, because the 3500 can tow a whopping 37,090 lbs when equipped with the 6.7-L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel engine. If you’d rather load up the bed than hitch up a trailer, the 6.4-L Hemi V8 can handle a payload of up to 7,680 lbs. The available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension allows you to lower the bed for easy hook-up with any trailer and integrated mounting hardware allows you to hitch both fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.
Just because the 3500 is built for hard work doesn’t mean it can’t offer a high-quality interior. Even the basic trims offer you a roomy cabin with comfortable seats and active noise cancellation that lets you enjoy your favorite audio—even if there’s noisy construction equipment nearby. There’s also a multilevel center console that provides a generous storage cubby and a work surface that can accommodate a laptop with a screen of up to 15”.
ProMaster
Not everything that needs hauling can stand up to the elements. If you need to transport cargo that won’t do well traveling in an exposed truck bed, Ram’s ProMaster van might be the answer. It has a maximum volume of 420 cu.ft. and a max payload of 5,230 lbs when properly equipped, so there’s plenty of room to haul what needs hauling. Custom graphics are also available for business owners who want their vehicle to double as a mobile advertisement.
From the driver’s seat, the ProMaster provides a nice wide-angle view of the road and the van comes standard with blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alerts, so you’ll have a good idea of what’s going on around you at all times. The Promaster 1500 is an affordable option that still has plenty of useful features, like a split swing-out rear door that makes it easy to load and unload cargo and a rear step bumper that lets you climb in and out without too much effort. However, the ProMaster comes in a wide variety of trims, so it’s easy to customize it to suit your needs. If you need to be able to tow or haul more weight, you can upgrade to a 2500 or 3500; if you need room for more than just a driver and one passenger, you can opt for a version with more windows and a second row of seats. There are also Chassis Cab and Cutaway models available.
ProMaster City
If you don’t need all the space that a full-size van has to offer, then there’s no point in paying a higher sticker price and spending more on fuel. For a more affordable, compact, and efficient option, there’s the ProMaster City. With 131.7 cu.ft. of cargo space, there’s still plenty of room for hauling boxes around town, but its smaller size makes it more nimble on urban streets and easier to park for loading and unloading.
Under the hood, the ProMaster City boasts a 2.4-L I-4 engine that can provide 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, so you’ll have just enough power and traction to get the job done. Designed with front-wheel-drive rather than rear, the van uses fewer mechanical parts, which makes it easier to maintain over time. Its bi-link rear coil suspension makes the ProMaster City stable and easy to handle.
From pickups to vans, Ram’s vehicles are designed to tackle hard jobs. They provide competitive stats when it comes to towing and hauling capacities, but also go the extra mile with state-of-the-art infotainment features and comfortable interiors. Workers of all stripes should be able to find a vehicle that suits their needs in Ram’s lineup.
