A Closer Look at the Ram Commercial Vehicle Lineup and Their Engine Options

Close-up of the grille and headlights on a red 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten at a dealer with commercial vehicles for sale near Lancaster.
Has upgrading to a commercial vehicle that better suits the needs of you and your business been on your mind lately? Providence Autos Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has one of the best selections of commercial vehicles for sale near Lancaster. Our team is ready to help you find the best vehicle for your job or business! Ram has emerged as a powerhouse manufacturer of trucks for work or personal use. They dedicate their complete attention to making trucks and vans that exceed every expectation. Every vehicle in their commercial lineup is a solid, reliable work partner, but which one is best for you if you need the power to tow and haul heavy loads?

The Ram 1500

Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6

  • Maximum Payload: 2,370 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 8,110 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn

Engine: High-Output 3.0L Hurricane

  • Maximum Payload: 1,520 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 9,920 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tungsten

Engine: 3.0L I-6 Hurricane SO Twin Turbo

  • Maximum Payload: 1,980 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 11,550 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten
  • Available on: Tradesman, Big Horn

When properly equipped, the Tradesman and Big Horn trims specs change to 11,560 lbs. max towing capacity and 1,910 lbs. max payload. While you may see the Ram 1500 on the roads as a personal truck, don't discount its ability as a commercial truck. Ram itself doesn't, listing it on their page of commercial vehicles. With the kind of specs shown above, it's obvious why. It might not keep up with some of the beefier trucks further down the list, but if you need a solid truck with many tech features that can do a tough job, the Ram 1500 is a good fit.

In addition, this truck has a devoted fan base because of its durability, reliability, and ability to work hard and play harder. If you need a work truck that can pull double duty as a personal truck, the Ram 1500 is your faithful companion on and off the road.

Ram 1500 Classic

Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6

  • Maximum Payload: 1,930 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 7,730 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tradesman, Warlock

Engine: 5.7 HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 1,810 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 10,520 lbs.
  • Available on: Tradesman, Warlock

The Ram 1500 Classic brings back the iconic style that the Ram was known for back in the days of Dodge. While the payload maximum would fit right into the current Ram 1500 lineup, the 3.6L Pentastar takes a big hit in towing capacity. However, if you don't need that extra 120 lbs for payloads, then the HEMI upgrade will give you a robust towing capacity that is good for various job-site duties.

Ram Heavy Duty: 2500

Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 3,150 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 19,990 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Limited Longhorn, Limited
  • Available on: Rebel, Tradesman, Big Horn

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 4,000 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 17,730 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Laramie, Rebel, Tradesman, Big Horn, Power Wagon

The first of the two Heavy Duty Ram trucks, the 2500 has two powerful engines to offer you an emphasis on trailering or hauling. The 6.4L HEMI V8 has a best-in-class 410 gas-powered horsepower. This engine is the best choice if you need more payload. However, the 6.7L Cummins offers almost 20,000 lbs of towing capacity. While there are trucks that tow and haul more, if you need a fleet vehicle that will be comfortable for longer drivers, the 2500 Heavy Duty has in-cabin storage options and a comfortable cab. Some of the amenities include a Kardon Premium Audio System and interior active noise cancellation.

A white 2024 Ram 3500 HD dually towing heavy equipment up a mountain road.

Ram Heavy Duty: 3500

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 7,680 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 18,210 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tradesman

Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 6,830 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 22,660 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Big Horn, Limited, Limited Longhorn
  • Available on: Tradesman

Engine: High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 6,560 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 37,090 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Laramie
  • Available on: Tradesman, Limited, Limited Longhorn

As with the 2500, the 3500 has excellent potential as a fleet vehicle. The cabin is comfortable and surprisingly roomy. The back seat is big enough to stock up on groceries on the way home from the job site. Air filtration will keep out the dust and dirt that goes hand in hand with hard work.

Unlike the 2500, the 3500 offers three different engines. The 6.4L HEMI is the best option if you're looking for an emphasis on hauling. If you emphasize trailering, the High-Output 6.7L Cummins has an excellent maximum towing capacity. However, this will come at the expense of payload capacity. If you need a balance between trailering and hauling, then the 6.7L Cummins Turbo has solid numbers on both sides.

Ram Chassis Cab: 3500

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 4,940 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 16,090 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Limited, Tradesman

Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 7,680 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 37,090 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Laramie, SLT
  • Available on: Limited, Tradesman

The Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer some of the best versatility for businesses. The bed is a blank slate, ready for upfitting to make it the workhorse your business or job requires. Shelving units, enclosed storage units, and refrigerator units are just the tip of the iceberg in the myriad of upfits that can customize this hearty, top-of-the-line truck to your needs. If you're looking at the 3500, the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine will give you the best specs for payload and towing.

Ram Chassis Cab: 4500

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 9,700 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 21,550 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: SLT, Limited

Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 9,990 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 35,150 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tradesman, Laramie
  • Available on: Limited

All three versions of the Ram Chassis Cab don't skimp on the interior in favor of power. They simply decide to have both. The cabin has a digital gauge cluster that shows important information in real-time, such as trailer tire pressure and towing gauges. A large central touchscreen has GPS to make finding the next work site a piece of cake. Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will make the drive a relaxing ride coasting along on your favorite tunes.

The 6.4L HEMI is a very capable engine with solid specs. Against most other engines it would likely come out on top. But the 6.7L Cummins has a massive jump in towing capacity and a small bump in the max payload. If you have big things to tow, you need a big number on the 'maximum towing capacity' line.

Ram Chassis Cab: 5500

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8

  • Maximum Payload: 12,550 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 18,990 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Tradesman, SLT, Limited

Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6

  • Maximum Payload: 12,550 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 35,150 lbs.
  • Found Standard on: Laramie
  • Available on: Tradesman, SLT, Limited

The Ram Chassis Cab 5500 is the pinnacle of strength from Ram's work trucks when outfitted with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6. It has the highest top payload at 12,550 lbs. Only one other engine configuration can top the maxing towing capacity of 35,150 lbs. In that case, the truck in question, the Chassis Cab 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, is hamstrung by an unbalanced max payload vs max towing (7,680 lbs vs 37,090 lbs).

While the 5500 has approximately 2,000 lbs less in max towing than the 3500, the maximum payload makes up for it, forming an excellent balance. That's an important thing to consider if you're looking for a vehicle that can both tow and haul. In that regard, the 5500 does it best for Ram work trucks.

A forklift loading materials into the open back of a blue 2024 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van.

Ram Promaster: 1500 Tradesman/2500 Tradesman/3500 Tradesman

Engine: 3.6L V6

  • Maximum Payload: 4,820 lbs.
  • Maximum Towing Capacity: 6,910 lbs.

While they can't haul or tow as much as most of the trucks in the Ram lineup, the Ram Promaster Tradesman vans deserve a mention. In some cases, they can replace a truck, depending on your needs. The van body design offers easy access to the storage space. With the interior already in place, it can reduce the upfitting costs and increase your budget for making changes that will best fit your needs. You have 524 cu.ft. of cargo space, so the sky's the limit for upfits!

Teamwork is a tradition that Lancaster has a lot of pride in. The Promaster understands the assignment. With the Crew Van Package, it can seat up to six passengers. The highly customizable nature of this package will let you configure the seating to best suit your needs. Customization is the motto of the Promaster!

The Best Commercial Vehicles for Lancaster Drivers

When you start the morning with a nice cup of coffee, you want to know that your workday will be a productive one. There are a lot of factors beyond your control, but one way to ensure that every day you get the job done is by choosing the right vehicle. Whether you need a vehicle that can haul mighty payloads or tow tremendous weights or both, Ram has the best vehicle for the job.

Here at Providence Autos Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, nothing makes us happier than matching drivers with vehicles that will help their jobs or businesses work hard and work smart. We stand behind the quality of every vehicle on our lot, including our excellent lineup of Ram commercial vehicles. Come visit us today, and let us help you find the right commercial vehicle for your work needs. We're looking forward to seeing you.