TriShield

Ram Introduces New Tradesman Model







Ram Truck today announced a new trim package aimed at one of the pickup truck category's largest traditional customer bases: the Ram Tradesman.

The Tradesman is a value-priced option package designed to meet the hard-working needs of small businessmen, construction jobsites and commercial fleets.

"The Ram Tradesman is named for – and aimed at – the heart of our business," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they'll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on."

Ram Tradesman offers better performance for the price than other work trucks. For example, Ram Tradesman starts with the popular Ram 1500 ST trim package and adds useful features such as a standard HEMI® engine with five-speed automatic transmission, which balances power with fuel efficiency. HEMI-equipped Ram 1500s are rated at 390 horsepower (291kW) and 407 ft.-lb.(552 N•m) torque and 20 mpg highway (4x2).

Also included in the Tradesman package is a standard Class IV trailer hitch with lighted, above-bumper four- and seven-pin trailer wire connectors. Tradesman also features heavy-duty engine cooling and a heavy-duty transmission oil cooler. Properly equipped Tradesman models provide best-in-class standard work truck capability, towing 10,450 lbs.

Ram 1500 Tradesman is equipped with durable, good-looking 17-inch full-face painted steel wheels exclusive to the Tradesman.

All Ram 1500 models, including the Tradesman, feature segment-exclusive multi-link rear coil suspension that provides best-in-class ride and handling qualities. A coil-spring setup centralizes and absorbs bumps and impacts, while reducing the amount of friction in the spring system. This setup also weighs 40 pounds less than a leaf-spring configuration.

Ram Tradesman is available in either regular cab short-bed (6 foot, 4 inch) and long-bed (8 foot) models, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 powertrains.

Buyers can choose vinyl or cloth 40/20/40 split bench seats in dark slate and medium graystone, and either carpeted or vinyl flooring.

Other standard equipment includes 160-amp alternator, 17-inch steel spare wheel and full-size spare tire, 26-gallon (6-foot, 4-inch bed) or 32-gallon (8-foot bed) fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp maintenance-free battery, bright chrome grille, cargo bed lamp, front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, halogen headlamps, locking tailgate, rear wheel well liners, rack and pinion steering, rear dome lamp and sentry key theft-deterrent system.

Standard interior features include air conditioning, a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, media center with CD and MP3 player, six speakers, audio jack for mobile devices, automatic headlamps, behind the seat storage, driver and passenger assist handles, instrument panel with tachometer, tilt steering wheel, tinted glass, variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Standard safety features include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental side airbags and front curtain, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, front height-adjust shoulder belts and tire-pressure monitoring.

Ram Tradesman is available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, Deep Water Blue Pearl, Flame Red, Hunter Green Pearl, Mineral Gray Metallic, Rugged Brown Pearl or White Gold Metallic Paint.

A long list of options is available for the Tradesman including 3.21 and 3.92 rear axle ratios, anti-spin differential, chrome exhaust tip, bright chrome front and rear bumpers, heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, engine block heater, folding trailer-tow mirrors with courtesy lamps and supplemental signals, rubber floor mats, Mopar chrome side steps and bed rails, a rear sliding window, spray-in bed liner, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect® voice command with Bluetooth®, remote USB port, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tow hooks, cruise control, tire-pressure monitor, vehicle information center and trailer brake controller.

Ram Tradesman is also available with rugged Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires to resist punctures and improve off-road traction.

Ram Trucks come with an unsurpassed 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Truck customers – from half-ton to commercial – have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. With their proven powertrains, proven chassis, low-cost of ownership, Ram Trucks are engineered for maximum productivity and "uptime." Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickups and chassis cabs are designed to deliver a total package for commercial customers.

Ram Tradesman pricing starts at $22,780, including $975 destination charge. Tradesman will go on sale in the second quarter 2011.

Darksol

Short box, 3.92's and a hemi...this could be a cheap go fast toy.

Chronicle

iTrader: (7)

This is exactly what I'd be looking for if I was in the market for a truck. If only it wasn't taboo to produce a gasoline V8 truck with a manual transmission, which I will never understand.

MR_M

iTrader: (5)

Now that sounds like a pretty sweet deal there. I too would like to see a manual option, would make it a pretty fun truck.

Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

This is something I wish GM would do!! Very cool!!

ThisBlood147

Agreed. Where's the manual tranny option?

gocartone

iTrader: (4)

The F150 can be had with the regular cab/short box, 360hp 5.0, and 3.55 LSD rear for $23.7k. Not much more if any (not sure if the 22.8k for the Ram is with the 5.7 or the 4.7), and a lighter, better looking truck IMO. No manual for that either, I really wish they still put them in trucks.

Irunelevens

Hemi is standard.

It'llrun

It's about time they offered this! When I saw "Tradesman," I expected a van... Anyway, I'm still down for a GM or Ford pickup 1st, though I would buy this over a Toyota or Nissan.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Same here, every time I go onto Ford's or Chevrolet's/GMC's website to build a truck this is exactly what I spec out, the smallest/lightest RWD full size with the biggest motor available.





Can it? I'd thought that one has to take the 8 foot bed when getting a base model 2WD?
I do like that new 5.0L with the 6 speed automatic though.

It'llrun

I start like that, then I always decide I want more stuff, like power windows, cruise, etc.

Yep... The 8' box is required for the 3.5L V6, but the 5.0 only requires a 6.5' box. I only want a full size bed, so the added price ($300) would be fine with me. I ain't buyin' any though, so it doesn't matter...

gocartone

iTrader: (4)

Nope, like he said you can get the 6.5' bed with the regular cab, 5.0, and 2wd or 4wd. The 3.5 only comes with the 8' bed...which is the other thing I don't get about trucks. No manuals and they usually don't let you have the fun engines in the light trucks Raptor with a 6spd manual, the 3.5 TT or 6.2, and regular cab/short box setup FTW

z28 justin

If I was getting a truck, this is exactly what I'd want. No crazy options except a decent engine to pull and 4x4. Good call Dodge.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

That's good news.

Now, as far as the cab goes, I assume that all base F-150s have that extra area/extra window behind the seats, almost like a 'mini extended cab' look?
I'm not talking about the 4 door or actual extended cab, just the smallest/shortest cab available for the F-150?
It's one of the things I prefer about the base GM pickups (or even the last generation F-150) over the current F-150, though I'm sure it helps with interior room/seat reclining etc.

I'm referring to this look (please ignore the fact that it's a stepside):




Versus this one:



Maybe the cabs are actually the same size and just the door & door window are smaller on the newer trucks?

gocartone

iTrader: (4)

^I think they have a little more space behind the seats, which would help A LOT in a regular cab truck. They look pretty sharp when not in the base model long box setup like you posted haha-

It'llrun

Yeah, the newer versions all have the added space. It was a big ad thing for awhile. I thought I even noted 4drs on the standard cab, of course those would be tiny. Maybe they have 3 or just 2... I haven't specifically looked at one in quite awhile.

You can actually get the 3.5L with the shortest bed, but not in base model, according to the Ford website. Say, a King Ranch. That means it'll be a CC, I'm sure.

gocartone

iTrader: (4)

You can get it with the short bed in anything but the regular cab format, which is the way I would want it most :/...Not like I would be buying a brand new truck though.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Good point, that looks HOT.

TriShield

Ram to Introduce New Model; Code Name: Adventurer

• HEMI® performance and sporty appearance target younger customers and first-time buyers
• Overwhelming response to Ram Tradesman forces launch pull ahead

February 15, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram Truck Brand today announced that it would launch a new Ram 1500 model aimed squarely at first-time buyers and owners who are looking for a vehicle with performance and style that they can customize and make their own.

The as-yet-to be-named Ram 1500 model has been developed under the code name "Adventurer," and borrows the formula of the highly acclaimed 2011 Ram Tradesman.

The Ram Tradesman -- unveiled Feb. 9, at the Chicago Auto Show -- is a value-priced, HEMI®-powered Ram 1500 regular cab truck that appeals to a cost-conscious, new-vehicle buyer who doesn't want to give up performance and capability. The unnamed new Ram 1500, like the Ram Tradesman, offers buyers a standard HEMI V8 engine with its 20 mpg rating for the same price competitors are charging for their V6 engines.

"We know we have the formula right," said Ram Truck President and CEO Fred Diaz. "Now we just need a great name that promotes pride of ownership. This new Ram model will be an attractive alternative for a younger or first-time buyer looking for performance at an affordable price. Case in point, it will have more horsepower and a lower base price than our competitors' entry-level performance cars with the added benefit of versatility and capability."

Ram Truck executives had planned to introduce the new Ram 1500 model later in the 2011 calendar year, but based on an overwhelming response to the Ram Tradesman, pulled ahead launch plans and opened the dealer ordering process with only a code name – Adventurer – to work with.

"This is going to be a great-looking, sports truck." added Diaz. "A buyer will be able to drive off in a new HEMI-powered Ram Truck with money left over for other things, like Mopar accessories. There's nothing in the market – and that includes other trucks, as well as cars -- that can compete with this truck's blend of style, exhilarating performance and value."

Loaded with Features

In addition to the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, Ram 1500 "Code Name: Adventurer" comes loaded with features that emphasize its high-performance character.

The first thing drivers will notice is the Ram's racy, monochromatic paint scheme. A body-colored grille with black honeycomb inserts, body-colored front fascia and body-colored rear fascia with chrome-tipped dual exhausts shout "high-performance." The new Ram model will also get fog lamps and 20-inch aluminum wheels with locking lug nuts. There's also a locking tailgate, cargo lamp, rear-bumper step pad, 6" x 9" side-view mirrors and rear wheel-well liners.

Standard features also include a 160-amp alternator, 26-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp maintenance-free battery, four and seven-pin trailer wiring harness, heavy-duty front and rear shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, power rack-and-pinion steering, halogen headlamps, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling and a full-size spare tire.

Inside, the new truck will get a heavy-duty vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seat, and buyers will have a choice of vinyl or carpeted floor covering. Other features include air conditioning, an instrument cluster with tachometer and 120-mph speedometer, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, four-spoke tilt steering wheel, six-speaker media center with CD and MP3 player, as well as audio jack input for mobile devices, automatic headlamps, behind-the-seat storage bins, driver and passenger assist handles, power accessory delay, rear dome lamp, rear-view day/night mirror, tinted glass windows, tip start and variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Safety features include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental front curtain and side air bags, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, height-adjust shoulder belts, sentry key theft deterrent system and tire pressure monitoring warning lamp.

It's available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl; Deep Water Blue Pearl; Flame Red, Hunter Green Pearl and Mineral Gray Metallic.

Options for Personalization

Buyers can choose their own options. In addition to a Class IV receiver hitch, Ram 1500 "Code Name: Adventurer" is available with long list of options.

Factory-installed exterior options include Mopar chrome tubular side steps, Mopar chrome steel bed rails, folding and heated trailer-tow power mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps, spray-in bedliner and under-rail bedliner.

Inside, buyers can choose a cloth 40/20/40 split-bench seat, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, rear-view auto-dim mirror, remote USB port, sliding rear window, cruise control, instrument cluster with vehicle information center display screen, tire pressure monitoring display, power one-touch windows, remote keyless entry, Sirius Satellite Radio and either carpet or rubber floor mats

There's also choice of two optional rear-axle ratios (3.21, 3.92), anti-spin differential, engine block heater and trailer brake controller.

Ram Truck Code Name: Adventurer comes as a regular cab, short-bed model, with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain. When equipped with an optional Class IV hitch, the new Ram will tow a maximum trailer weight of 10,450 lbs.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the new truck – Code Name: Adventurer – will start at $23,830, including $975 destination charge. It will arrive in Ram Truck dealerships in second quarter 2011.

It'llrun

I'd honestly consider this "Adventurer" model and kinda hope they stick with this name, another one from way back... Minus the 20" wheels, with 3.92 gears... in Deep Water Blue Pearl... Yep, sounds pretty alright... The only thing I'd want that I don't see on the list is a longbed. I prefer added cab space, but for what this version is, I couldn't argue against the shortbed too much. I still think the Ford and GM look better, but the price and engine combo on this one and the Tradesman is the best I've seen in a very long time.