Opening up the Ram 2500 Series line is the Tradesman. This is about as base as any vehicle gets these days: a six-speaker audio system, a 5-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, 17-inch steel wheels, black urethane bumpers, and door handles, manual climate control, and a vinyl bench seat are all included. Windows are operated by crank, and the doors need to be locked by hand.
Behind the scenes, standard equipment such as hill-start assist, electronic roll mitigation, and trailer-sway damping are all quietly taking some of the stress out of piloting this big truck.
There's also included trailer wiring, a class V hitch, and a 32-gallon fuel tank. A rear coil suspension is also standard here and on all Ram 2500 trucks – an exclusive feature among heavy-duty trucks.
The most common upgrade is sure to be the Level 1 Equipment Group. For $895, it buys power windows and locks, power-adjustable mirrors, an overhead console, and chrome interior door releases. The Level 2 version is $1,595 and adds cloth upholstery, keyless entry, and a sliding rear window to the equipment already included in the Level 1 package.