No Ram 1500 Tradesman HD for 2013
Just a few short years ago, Ram introduced the Ram Tradesman 1500 HD at the State Fair of Texas. The truck was skinned to look like a 1500 but had all 2500 HD suspension and chassis parts underneath. Ram certainly wasn't the first big truck-maker to use heavier-duty parts and pieces in order to offer half-ton (usually in name only) buyers a stronger choice. In fact, last year we wrote about how heavy-duty half-tons are familiar territory for all the big truck makers.
But the Ram 1500 Tradesman HD will not be part of the 2013 Ram 1500 lineup, and it may never come back, according to our sources. We suspect that attempting to continue the reskinning of a light-duty-looking but heavy-duty-underpinned Tradesmen model wasn't such a high priority, as the new half-tons are hitting their production stride next year and the Ram HD models are going through their own next-gen redesigns. (We have to believe the HD interiors will mimic what we've just seen on the light-duty versions.) I suppose we should be thankful we had the work-biased pickup for as long as we did.
Of course, there's nothing to prevent Ram from making an actual Ram 2500 HD Tradesman for those in the market for a stronger work truck. From what we're hearing about some of the changes coming on the 2014 Ram HDs, it wouldn't surprise us to see some new option packages that attempt to stretch some boundaries and definition yet again.
Comments
Yeah i think they realized you could just get the 2500 for the same price lol
Unless I'm mistaking, payload on the regular cab is up quite a bit, so there's less call for the HD. Or perhaps no one bought it.
Perhaps a Max Tow/Haul package on the 2013 Hemi 1500s that equips them with a HD set of AirSprings that makes the truck be able to Tow/Haul as much as the 1500HD Tradesman.
Off topic- but I saw a Mitsubishi Triton on the road in southern NJ the other day. Been scratching my head about it since...
If HDs are made in Mexico and 1/2 tons in the US, where were the 1500 HDs made? Mexico would be the logical choice.
What's different on the Ram 1/2 tons and HDs, body wise? Don't body pieces interchange?
I bet the biggest problem was the Tradesman HD was not offered with 4X4! that would greatly limit the usefulness of the truck! after all I belive most of the 3/4+ trucks are 4X4 right?
Have no fear. Ford still offers their HD Payload option on most of it's models, giving it up to 3120 maximum payload on a stripper truck like this. Even on a heavy SuperCrew you can get up to 2330 payload. And this option is available in 4x2 or 4x4.
Better ride and handling than a HD truck, but with the payload available for those who use their trucks hard occasionally.
Have no fear. Ford still offers their HD Payload option on most of it's models, giving it up to 3120 maximum payload on a stripper truck like this. Even on a heavy SuperCrew you can get up to 2330 payload. And this option is available in 4x2 or 4x4.
Better ride and handling than a HD truck, but with the payload available for those who use their trucks hard occasionally.
Posted by: Ford850 | Aug 27, 2012 6:57:56 AM
What GOOFBALL would want to carry 3100 lbs on a 1/2 ton truck on a daily or regular basis??! THAT IS WHAT A 3/4 TON TRUCK IS FOR!!! Leave it to Ford to inflate their numbers and make their trucks appear to be more capable than they are. Anoter LOSS for Ford.
Michigan Bob, no one said anything about hauling that much on a daily basis. Some people like the extra payload to haul a few loads of hay, firewood, crushed stone, etc. Having a truck that can withstand those loads on occasion, while still having the better ride and handling of a half ton truck for most days is a great combination.
If you need to haul max loads or tow max weights daily, or even weekly, then a 3/4 ton truck is the obvious choice. See how that works? Choices. It's nice to have options.
Mark, there's a typo in your article:
Ram certainly was the first big truck-maker to use heavier-duty parts and pieces in order to offer half-ton (usually in name only) buyers a stronger choice. In fact, last year we wrote about how heavy-duty half-tons are familiar territory for all the big truck makers.
The word "was" in the first sentence should be "wasn't". Just thought you should know!
Michigan bob::: I own the F-150 4X4 reg cab 8' bec HD, and I am here to tell you it is a fine truck! it hauls great and tow great! the 4X4 is rated a 2,950lbs. hauling cap. and with my wife and I have had reg load of 2500-2700 of blue 3/4" stone for our driveway, we are on our 18th load, and the truck rides and handles fine! have you even looked at one? and read the spec sheet? do you know it has 7 lugs! with LT tires stand? NO you are a GM troll! and know no better! I also own a CHevy Z-71 ext cab 2011, and it is also a fine truck, but I wouldn't put more than half the wieght in it as the F-150 HD! There now you know better, I have givin you knowlege first hand, and now you can let it all go. Now doesn't that feel better?
Michigan bob::: I own the F-150 4X4 reg cab 8' bec HD, and I am here to tell you it is a fine truck! it hauls great and tow great! the 4X4 is rated a 2,950lbs. hauling cap. and with my wife and I have had reg load of 2500-2700 of blue 3/4" stone for our driveway, we are on our 18th load, and the truck rides and handles fine! have you even looked at one? and read the spec sheet? do you know it has 7 lugs! with LT tires stand? NO you are a GM troll! and know no better! I also own a CHevy Z-71 ext cab 2011, and it is also a fine truck, but I wouldn't put more than half the wieght in it as the F-150 HD! There now you know better, I have givin you knowlege first hand, and now you can let it all go. Now doesn't that feel better?
Posted by: sandman4X4 | Aug 27, 2012 9:54:38 AM
I could care LESS to be honest with you. That is your opinion. I gave you mne. It makes more sense to me to use a 3/4 or 1 ton truck for that type of work. Me a Troll? I guess giving your honest opinion about something these days makes you a troll. If that is true I guess you are a TROLL as well.
@Bitchagain Bob - welcome back, when did you crawl out from that Impala you were hiding under?
I haven't seen you arguing with the Rambo motard tribe since they say that they will take out GMC within then next year or so.
Why are you saying one needs a 3/4 ton? That Tacoma of yours not up to snuff?
"no one said anything about hauling that much on a daily basis."
Ford850
If you don't trust your truck to haul that much on a daily basis, you shouldn't trust your truck to haul that much, EVER!
Thus the F150 is overrated.
@TypeKey - Many people who haul heavy intermittently would be fine with a 1/2 ton. If you haul heavy on a consistent basis a 3/4 ton would be a wiser choice. It has nothing to do with whether or not you trust your truck to do the job.
It isn't rocket science.
Most truck guys prefer to "overbuy" than "overload".
That applies to any brand.
If you want to say that Ford "over-rates their trucks, you need to remember that Ram and Chevy also have delayed or withdrawn from using the SAE J2807 tow standards.
The only way you can stake out the moral high ground is if you happen to own a Tundra.
Bitch again Blob: it is not you opinion, but you attitude, and the way you twist your "facts" and are so close minded about anything, I now for a fact that mosy everyone here agrees with me that you are a troll, when you come down off your high horse and respect others here, maybe you will get it back, ok?
@Bob - you said in another thread that Chevy was going to loose 800 lb of weight........... Does that mean you bought a Dodge?
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