Six Great Work-Ready Features of the 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman
When your business needs a truck that's able to tackle tough jobs day in and day out, it's time to find a Ram 2500 for sale. Whether you're looking to get just one pickup or a whole fleet, this heavy-duty truck is a great choice. It has a well-constructed body that's built to last for the long haul and comes with one of two powerful engines: a 6.4L HEMI gas-powered V8 that can haul up to 4,000 lbs of payload or tow up to 17,730 lbs on a properly equipped-truck and a 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 that boasts a payload capacity of 3,150 lbs and an impressive 19,990-lb towing capacity.
Beyond the basics, though, there are also all kinds of features on board the 2500 that make it versatile enough to handle a wide range of jobs. Some of the most advanced features are found on the higher trim levels, which offer more comfort for your crew, clever storage solutions, and cutting-edge tech. But if you're looking to save your company some money (especially if you're getting a whole fleet), you might want to stick to the affordable Tradesman trim. While this entry-level model isn't loaded with all the bells and whistles, it does have a solid range of standard features, plus some available ones that you can add on as needed. Today, we're going to take a look at six work-ready features that can help your company take care of business: three that are optional and three that come standard.
Standard: Telescopic Trailer Tow Mirrors
If your drivers are going to be towing large trailers down the highway, they're going to need to be able to keep track of their surroundings. The Ram 2500 comes standard with Telescopic Trailer Tow Mirrors to help them keep an eye on the vehicles around them so they can maneuver in traffic without getting into trouble. These side-view mirrors sit far out from the body, offering the perfect angle. But they don't have to stay fully out all the time. If you need to park the truck in a tight space or maneuver in a crowded work site, you can retract them. This flexible arrangement gives you plenty of options, so you can have the right solution for any number of situations that might come up on a job.
Available: 360º Surround View Camera & Digital Rearview Mirror
If you do a lot of towing in your line of work, then it might be worth upgrading to get some extra features that make driving and maneuvering with a trailer easier and safer. For instance, the 360º Surround View Camera goes even further than the telescopic mirrors or standard backup camera by displaying a top-down view of the entire area around the truck. It's easy to imagine how useful that could be when parking in a tight space, maneuvering at low speeds in a cluttered work site, or getting out of a parking spot with a trailer in tow.
While this camera view is helpful at low speeds, it's not meant to be used while driving down a street, and certainly not on a freeway. But there's another way that your drivers can get a good look behind them and "see through" even the largest trailer: the available Digital Rearview Mirror. When the screen is turned off, the mirror can still work in its traditional way, but when turned on, the mirror switches to a real-time video stream from the rear-facing camera on the truck or a camera hooked up to the back of the trailer. Models that have cameras on the side view mirrors can split the screen into thirds, providing even more coverage so your drivers can change lanes with confidence.
Standard: Class-Exclusive Rear Link Coil Suspension
The Ram 2500 offers superior ride quality thanks to its class-exclusive rear link coil suspension. Compared to commonly used leaf spring suspensions, this system reduces friction overall and reduces harshness, improving ride comfort so your driver and your crew can arrive at their job site refreshed and ready to work. It also improves handling and control, so your driver can maneuver with confidence even under less-than-ideal conditions. On top of all that, the setup is also strong and durable, so it will serve you well not just today but for years to come.
Available: Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension
The standard suspension system is certainly a step up from what the competition offers, but that doesn't mean it's the most advanced offering from Ram. If you want to keep your drivers, your crew, and your cargo (particularly delicate equipment or fragile materials) safe and sound over the rockiest of roads, then you might want to upgrade to the Auto-Level Air Suspension. In addition to offering an even smoother ride, it also includes a bed-lowering mode that makes hooking up a trailer quick and easy. Workers who are often hitching and unhitching trailers can get their jobs done more efficiently with this system, so you can maximize productivity.
Standard: Electronic Stability Control
Driving a big truck with a heavy trailer can be difficult and dangerous, but there are ways to mitigate that danger. Some of the most helpful features on the 2500 are passive ones that improve every drive without even making themselves known. For instance, Ram's Electronic Stability Control system is full of features that can lower your risks of dealing with a costly accident and keep your workers, cargo, and vehicles safe. Hill Start Assist prevents the truck from slipping backward while the driver moves their foot from the brake to the accelerator on an incline, traction control helps maintain a grip on the road in a variety of situations, and electronic roll mitigation steps in to lower the chance of truly catastrophic accidents. Since stopping a heavy truck and trailer can be no easy feat at certain speeds, there are also features like brake assist, rain brake support, and ready alert braking that lend a hand. Finally, trailer sway damping helps keep the driver fully in control, even when driving a large, heavy trailer at high speeds.
Available: Trailer Reverse Steering Control
Staying fully in control while towing is most important at highway speeds, but that doesn't mean it can't be a problem at low speeds in more controlled environments. For instance, backing up with a trailer and controlling the precise trajectory of both truck and trailer can be tricky, even for experienced drivers. The available Trailer Reverse Steering Control system makes that easier, letting the driver use a conveniently placed knob to change the direction of the trailer while the system controls the truck's steering wheel. This extra degree of control can help your drivers back up more quickly and get their position right on the first try instead of having to maneuver back and forth, saving you precious time that adds up after a while.
Make the 2500 Perfect for Your Business
The Ram 2500 comes standard with all of the features you need to get your work done and get it done well. But depending on the priorities of your particular company, you can choose to upgrade some systems to more advanced versions that can make your crew safer, happier, and more efficient. With so many options, it's easy to make the Ram your own so you can get a truck that's perfectly tailored to your needs.