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2017 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 2WD Reg Cab Long Bed

FCA - CGI Zone

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2016 Ram Heavy Duty Cargo View Camera

Chrysler CGI Dept

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FCA US 6.4 liter Hemi engine in the 2500 Ram Tradesman

Jim Frenak

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One of the benefits we have come to enjoy along with having new vehicles delivered to our door is the opportunity to have new vehicles provided to us at an airport to use while we are on vacation or, as it was the Ram Tradesman, at an automotive event out in the mountains west of Denver.

Every fall, we have the opportunity to go to Denver and drive a bunch of different vehicles from many of the major manufactures around the country. It is always a fun time to reunite with other journalists from the Intermountain West and the marketing representatives from the auto manufacturers. We knew it would be a great couple of days driving some great new product, but were especially looking forward to spending some time in the base version of a Ram truck.

We should admit right here that Craig has bought a Ram 1500 back in 2016 so he might be somewhat biased towards the truck, although really he just likes to have a truck around to drive. They are so handy to pull things and get projects done on the weekend, but of course he has to have all the creature comforts that are offered, so getting what amounts to a work truck with only a few add ons, the Tradesman would prove to be a whole new world for him.

It has been a very long time since we have driven any kind of vehicle that didn’t come with automatic locks on the doors, the Tradesman however does not come a clicker, if you will, for the door locks. We would venture to bet that if we gave the key we received to some of today’s youth saying, “The truck is yours if you can get in,” that they would not be able to figure out how to open the doors.

It didn’t take us long however, but it did require the insertion of the key in the lock on the door, and then Craig had to get in and reach over to unlock the door for Deanne. The good news here is that he would now open her door for her every time first, kind of like going back in time to more gentlemanly times!

This was a true Tradesman, or work truck as it were, even equipped with a regular cab, (yes they still make trucks that come with a bench seat and no rear seat), and these are more of a real man’s truck. One that is meant to take out on the range or to any work site and get everything one needs to get through that day. Not only did it have a regular cab, but a long 8-foot bed; yes a real truck that could haul more than one sheet of plywood with the tailgate up.

It turns out that this is one of the best-selling trucks in the Ram line, why would that be? In Craig’s world a vehicle, especially a truck, needs to be outfitted with all the right creature comforts to make getting to the job just as important as doing the job. Guess over the years he has gotten used to all the great additions to the vehicles that we drive that he needs the exact same things in his own truck.

The 2500 Ram Tradesman sells so well not because it is loaded with features, but because it can tow up to 13,320 pounds when equipped with the 6.4 liter Hemi engine as our test ride was. In addition to that it can carry up to 3,987 pounds at the same time, with the base cost still under $35,000. There are many companies out in the real world that need a truck like this for everyday use, one that will get the job done, be extremely reliable and haul all the things that they need.

Need even more hauling power? The Tradesman can be had with a Cummins diesel engine that puts towing up in the 17,980 pound range. Of course, it will cost just over $2,500 to add this extra ability to the truck.

This version is perfect for the job where only one or maybe two workmen will using the truck at the same time, with the regular cab having the long box was not as hard to maneuver since it was almost the same length as a crew cab with a short box behind. There would be room for a tool box in the back and still have the ability to take a few sheets of plywood along also.

Inside the Tradesmen, there are no frills that come with this base model. In fact the windows are still on a crank system, yes we had to roll them down by hand, something that we have not done in a very long time. The sound system however was equipped with SiriusXM radio and also had a Bluetooth feature included making it easy to hook up our phones, so there is some technology included — as everyone, even the strongest construction worker, is now connected with a smartphone.

There were a few upgrades that got us to the level we had. The Chrome Appearance Package made the truck look better on the outside and we would recommend it as it added chrome bumpers and some great-looking chrome wheels. There was also a Uconnect upgrade, at $195 it added the Bluetooth and voice control functions.

The truck was large with the 8-foot box and took us some getting used to, especially in parking lots, but it was a great drive, if only we could have had the chance to do some pulling and hauling with it. The Tradesman is a great work truck, and would also make a great pulling truck for a large trailer on the weekends and not break the bank in the process.

See one of the bestselling Ram trucks today at either Doug Smith Ram, 523 W. Main, American Fork, (801) 492-0100, Larry H. Miller Ram, 1825 University Parkway, Provo, (801) 356-4100, or Doug Smith Ram in Spanish Fork 1339 N. Main St., (801) 798-7431.

Base Price: $32,145

Price as Driven: $36,795