2013 Ram 2500 Tradesman Package (Long Box)

The 2013 Ram 2500 is a top pick for a heavy-duty truck thanks to its top-notch interior, comfortable ride quality and impressive towing and hauling capabilities. If the battle for heavy-duty pickup truck supremacy involved muscle-bound, heavily tattooed guys instead of trucks, it would resemble an Ultimate Fighting Championship. Either way, the combatants are fierce and not afraid of hard physical work. The 2013 Ram 2500 has all the requisite talents to compete with its full-size foes, including strong powertrains, a well-sorted suspension and a handsome, comfortable cabin. And with this year's more-than-meets-the-eye redesign that boasts a stronger frame and more powerful diesel engine, those talents are even more impressive. The Ram 2500's standard 5.7-liter V8 is rated at 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, respectable to be sure. But if your truck's duties are going to involve more serious tasks, then we recommend going with the optional turbodiesel, which churns out up to 385 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. As such, the Ram 2500 more than earns its "heavy-duty" status. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 18,350 pounds (depending on body style and powertrain choice) and haul up to 3,170 pounds. And yet as it's performing all that grunt work, the big Ram coddles its passengers in the upper trim levels with a handsome cabin furnished with high-quality materials. This year, the Ram 2500 also gains Chrysler's latest electronic features, including an available 7-inch display in the gauge cluster, an 8.4-inch touchscreen and the newest Uconnect services. Adding to its easy-to-live-with demeanor is a quiet, comfortable ride and generous array of available luxury features. The 2013 Ram 2500 heavy-duty pickup is available in three cab styles: two-door regular, four-door Crew Cab and Mega Cab (a jumbo crew cab). The regular cabs come with a long bed only, while the Crew Cab has either a short or long cargo bed. The Mega Cab rides on the same wheelbase as the Crew Cab long bed, but it combines an even bigger cabin with a short bed. The regular cab comes in Tradesman or SLT trims; the Crew Cab in Tradesman, SLT, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Power Wagon trims; and the Mega Cab in SLT, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn trims. The Tradesman is the most basic Ram and it comes with 17-inch steel wheels, black grille/bumpers, vinyl upholstery and flooring, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, air-conditioning, cruise control, an electronic vehicle information display, a tilt steering wheel and a six-speaker stereo with USB/iPod and auxiliary audio jacks. Power windows and door locks are standard on Crew Cab models, while regular cabs have manual controls.