Ram offers new models and features
New Ram 1500 Tradesman HD: Ram Truck today announced that it would offer a new Ram 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty pickup designed to deliver unparalleled capability in the half-ton segment.
Available exclusively as a 4×2 regular cab truck with an eight-foot bed, the Tradesman HD is built for ultimate capability with a best-in-class 11,500-pound maximum trailer rating and 3,100-pound payload. The Ram 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty tows and hauls more than any other light-duty truck. The Ram 1500 Heavy Duty’s 17,500-pound gross combined weight rating (GCWR) also tops all half-ton pickups in the market.
“The Ram 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty is a job-rated truck with the features commercial truck buyers want at a price they can afford,” said Ram CEO Fred Diaz. “The commercial truck segment is all about total cost of ownership and that includes being able to tow and haul more. It’s a simple matter of economics. More towing and payload means fewer loads. And fewer loads mean lower fuel bills.”
Comparison Chart of 2012 Half-ton Trucks
| Ram 1500 Tradesman HD | Ford F-150 XL | Chevrolet Silverado LT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payload | 3,100 lbs. | 3,060 lbs. | 1,865 lbs. |
| Max. Trailer | 11,500 lbs. | 11,300 lbs. | 10,700 lbs. |
The Ram 1500 Heavy Duty incorporates several technical upgrades, including a 3/4-ton Ram 2500 Heavy Duty frame with increased steel gauges, heavy-duty axles and eight-lug wheel hubs. It’s equipped with the Heavy Duty version of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine rated at 383 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, plus heavy-duty cooling, larger HD brakes, the HD six-speed automatic transmission and standard Class IV hitch with lighted, above-bumper 4- and 7-pin trailer wiring connectors.
The Ram 1500 Tradesman HD arrives in Ram Truck dealerships in the first quarter of 2012.
New Ram 1500 Express Cabs: Crew Cab and Quad Cab options have been added to the Ram 1500 Express, offering pickup buyers even more combinations of value and performance. The Ram 1500 Express previously was available in regular-cab models only.
The Ram 1500 Express is aimed at first-time buyers and owners looking for a truck with performance and style. The Ram 1500 Express offers buyers a standard HEMI V-8 engine with a 20 mpg rating for what competitors are asking for V-6 engines. Prices for the Ram 1500 Express Quad Cab start at $28,050, including destination charge. The Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab starts at $30,210. Ram 1500 Express regular cab pickups start at $23,080.
New RamBox: There’s a new version of the unique RamBox cargo management system designed to fit Ram pickups with 6-foot-4-inch bed lengths. The addition of a 6-foot-4-inch RamBox model dramatically expands the feature’s availability to include the majority of Ram truck models. Previously available only on Ram 1500 Crew Cabs, the RamBox now fits Ram 1500 regular cab and Quad Cab models and Ram 2500 and 3500 (single rear wheel) Crew Cab and Mega Cab models.
Ram also will offer the RamBox option on the ST price class, making the feature available on all trim levels.
“The 6-foot-4-inch RamBox is the definition of ‘more of a good thing,’” said Diaz. “We have dramatically expanded RamBox availability and given it an outstanding price. Having convenient, secure storage for your gear – whether it’s worksite tools, sporting equipment or a few cases of refreshments for the team – makes RamBox one of the greatest innovations that you’ll find on a pickup truck.”
Today’s announcement means that the RamBox option is now available on more than 80 percent of all Ram pickups.
Rambox pricing has not increased for 2012: in fact, it has gone down. Either model is available for for $1,295.
