RAM 3500 now 800lb.ft and 30,000lb GVWR!

[Dmace]

A little more info on the new RAM Tradesman model.
New 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman Offers Awesome Value - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[Diamondpilot]

A little more info on the new RAM Tradesman model.
New 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman Offers Awesome Value - PickupTrucks.com News

You know, I have have to agree with ya on this one. That is a heck of a value. Reading the article regular cab trucks only make up 12% of the market but I have always had a thing for them. 3 of my favorite trucks were regular cabs, my F-150 Lightning, My 99 F-350 SRW 4x4 Powerstroke long bed, and my 97 F-150 short bed 4x4 with 4.10 gears.

Heck, Nissan and Toyota do not even make a regular cab anymore, just extended and crew. I can see why when its only 12% of the market. What would they get, 2%, if they did? Not worth it for them.

I am sure they are losing money on these trucks but it will gain them market share. The hope is it will gain more sales from tradesmen using them at work and then buying a Ram for themselves. If they would make a short bed with a 4x4 for a grand more it would sell like crazy. It would replace the old Blazers and Broncos as the plow trucks of choice.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

If they would make a short bed with a 4x4 for a grand more it would sell like crazy.

The article did say that price ($22,780 including destination) was for a short bed 2wd and right now 4wd is about a $4k option but a 4x4 short bed for under $25k would still be a bargain. I swear 2wd reg cab trucks are made in another world because they seem to be the toughest trucks to kill.

 

[gabeancounter]

I hope to see a 4th player in the market!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hope to see a 4th player in the market!

I saw that truck 3-4 years ago at the auto show. If I remember right at the time they were putting a CAT in it. Something like a 8L inline 6. They also had another engine in the works that Toyota already owned, the Hino.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The article did say that price ($22,780 including destination) was for a short bed 2wd and right now 4wd is about a $4k option but a 4x4 short bed for under $25k would still be a bargain. I swear 2wd reg cab trucks are made in another world because they seem to be the toughest trucks to kill.

Getting it under $25K is the trick. With it being a $4K upgrade you would be pushing $29K with destination charges or such. That will be the killer. You can get a lot more truck with all the incentives for usually around $35K at the end of the year when they are bringing in the new model year.

Chris

 

[plumbstraight]

I just picked up a 5500 last year. It is the 6.7 with the aisin tranny. I am lucky to get 13mpg with it. Has 11000 on it now, I do hope it gets better mileage as it breaks in. A great truck, picked it up cheap, at least I think I did lol. Wanted a 3500 but would have paid more.

 

[HHR]

I just picked up a 5500 last year. It is the 6.7 with the aisin tranny. I am lucky to get 13mpg with it. Has 11000 on it now, I do hope it gets better mileage as it breaks in. A great truck, picked it up cheap, at least I think I did lol. Wanted a 3500 but would have paid more.

You are getting good mileage. My neighbor got an 08 Ford F550 service truck with the 6.4L. He only gets around 7 mpg.

 

[Ford850]

Getting it under $25K is the trick. With it being a $4K upgrade you would be pushing $29K with destination charges or such. That will be the killer. You can get a lot more truck with all the incentives for usually around $35K at the end of the year when they are bringing in the new model year.

Chris

Ram was chasing Ford's new V8 with this Tradesman. The new Ford 5.0 can be had in regular cab, 8' bed, 3.55 limited slip axle, 9800 towing, and 2100 payload. All that and better mpg than the new Ram too. It has a MSRP of $24015 with those options. Since we can't build the new Ram yet it's tough to tell what the actual price will be when they say things like "up to" or "can be had with". Overall a much closer match though between the two brands. That's a lot of truck from either brand for $22-$24k. Chevy is quite a bit behind now so I'm sure they will be next to offer something similar a very capable work truck.

 

[Builder]

Funny because the interior is all new and spoken with in high regards when comparing layout, fit & finish and materials used. Also, any truck has a "rusting issue" when not taken care of. My 8 yr old RAM spent it's entire life in the snow-belt of northern New England and doesn't have a spot of rust on the sheet metal and only surface rust on the frame.

Yeah, but you don't live in INDIANA my friend. They have the worst winters

Lastly, the six speed auto has proven to be very reliable since it's introduction unlike the Ford torqueshift which is already showing mass problems with owners even with many here on this forum.

No way. Are you serious?