2022 RAM 3500

The 2022 RAM 3500 receives few but significant upgrades in the form of the next-generation infotainment software, a digital rearview mirror that connects to a trailer-mounted camera, additional lighting to aid with trailer hook-up, and a surround trailer camera system. A few cosmetic upgrades are also newly offered in the form of a chromed-out Silver Edition, as well as a unique grille for the Big Horn trim.

The RAM 3500 is available in five trims; Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, and Limited. Base prices range from $39,610 to $67,315. For heavy-duty truck shoppers who don't need the same level of capability, the RAM 2500 may be a better fit.

The RAM 3500 offers three powertrain choices. A 6.4-liter V8 is standard on all trims and generates 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque and routes power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are two optional diesel engines that provide significantly more capability for this workhorse. A 6.7-liter inline-six cylinder turbocharged Cummins diesel engine is available for $9,400 and delivers 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. It is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. The high-output Cummins diesel ($12,195) shares the same engine displacement but is massaged to achieve 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque and is mated with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission.

A part-time four-wheel-drive system is offered on the Tradesman for while an electronic on-demand system is optional on the Big Horn-and-up trims. Both systems add about $2,800 to the bottom line.

The EPA does not rate the 3500 as its gross combined vehicle weight puts it in a category that is excluded.

There are three cab and two bed-size configurations available. The regular cab seats three, is offered only with the eight-foot box, and is only available in the Tradesman and Big Horn Trims. The crew cab, with four front-hinged doors, is offered on all trims and the very large Mega Cab is available on all but the Tradesman trim. The Crew Cab can be paired with the eight-foot bed or a 6-foot 4-inch bed while the Mega Cab is only available with the shorter bed. Both boxes are 20.2 inches deep, 66.4 inches wide, and offer 51 inches between the wheel wells.

The Tradesman, Big Horn, and Laramie feature a front beach seat, providing seating for up to six while bucket seats are standard on the Limited Longhorn and Limited trims. The Crew Cab offers 40.2 inches of legroom and the Mega Cab offers 43.1 inches along with 12.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the reclining seatback.

Obviously, the overall size of the 3500 varies with the cab and bed configurations, however, it’s not the Mega Cab model that is the longest of the bunch. That honor goes to the Crew Cab with the long box which stretches to 260 inches in length, beating the 250-inch length of the Mega Cab. The Crew Cab and short box configuration are 149.1 inches long. All models can be fitted with dual rear wheels ($1,495) which sends the RAM’s width from 83.5 inches to 96.5 inches.

Maximum payload is also dependent on the body configuration, with the regular cab rear-wheel-drive, and dual-rear-wheels model capturing the crown at 7,680 pounds. The more popular Crew Cab four-wheel-drive short bed model can hold 4,200 pounds.

The same configuration that achieves the maximum payload is also the towing champion when fitted with the high-output diesel. Its 37,100-pound capacity is more than double what the Crew Cab four-wheel-drive gasoline model can pull: 16,780 pounds. Add the standard-output diesel engine to that configuration and the towing capacity increases to 20,230 pounds or 23,650 pounds when fitted with the high-output engine.

The RAM 3500 is devoid of active safety features but each trim can be equipped with the full suite of technology through the Safety Group which brings automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and a digital rearview mirror. The package is $2,890 in the Tradesman trim and less expensive in other trims as some of the bundled features are already included.

The RAM 3500 has not been fully evaluated by IIHS or NHTSA.

The Tradesman makes do with the older Uconnect 3 infotainment system that is controlled through a five-inch display and features AM/FM, Bluetooth, an auxiliary jack, and three USB ports. The standard cab is equipped with four speakers while the Crew Cab gains two more.

The Big Horn trim and above trims include RAM’s latest Uconnect 5 which is faster and incorporates additional connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and RAM Connected services, as well as a larger, 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Laramie adds a nine-speaker Alpine sound system while the Limited Longhorn adds navigation, Alexa Built-in, and SiriusXM 360L. The Limited trim gains a 12-inch touchscreen.

The Tradesman is about as basic as you’ll find in a new vehicle today and that should suit some just fine. To keep costs down, the base trim utilizes black bumpers, mirrors, door handles, and grille, 18-inch steel wheels, four-way manually adjustable vinyl covered (bench) seats, and manual door locks, mirrors, and windows. Keyless push-button start, a class IV hitch receiver and wiring, and a 3.5-inch driver information display are among the more notable features.

The Tradesman offers two levels of convenience packages. The Level 1 Equipment Group is $1,045 and includes power-adjustable heated mirrors with integrated turn signals and courtesy lamps, power door locks and windows, and upgraded door trim. The Level 2 Equipment Group can be ordered instead for $1,745 and furthermore includes cloth seating, carpeted floors, a sliding rear window, and SiriusXM.

The Max Tow Package is offered for $3,695 and includes dual rear wheels, a 5th wheel/ gooseneck trailer preparation package, a trailer brake controller, and load-leveling rear air suspension.

The next trim up includes a chrome grille surround, chrome front and rear bumpers, body-colored door handles, cloth seats with carpeted floors, upgraded door trim, upgraded instrument panel bezels, a trailer brake controller, and remote keyless entry.

The Big Horn trim offers 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, a rear sliding window, power-adjustable pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual gloveboxes within the Level 1 Equipment group for $1,740. For an additional $445, the Heated Seats and Wheel group can be added.

The oddly named Level B Equipment Group can be alternatively selected for $4,265 and additionally includes front and rear parking sensors, LED taillights, a dampened tailgate, heated seats and steering wheel, and a 7-inch TFT color gauge cluster display. With one of those Equipment Packages selected, the Premium Lighting Group is available for $795 and includes LED headlights and fog lights. A Sport Package is offered for $995 and features a body-color grille surround, front and rear bumpers, 17-inch chrome wheels, and black interior trim.

New for 2022 is the Big Horn Silver Edition package which includes chrome on top of chrome in the form of 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, a chrome grille, chrome tow hooks, chrome belt moldings, chrome power-folding mirrors with power-adjustable convex mirrors, chrome door handle inserts, and chrome side steps for $1,995.

The Laramie trim features LED headlights, fog lights, and taillights, power-folding mirrors, parking sensors, chrome grille accents, an acoustic windshield, a power sliding rear window with a defroster, remote engine start, and proximity entry which allows easy access to an interior that boasts heated eight-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven-inch driver information display, and a 115-volt power outlet.

The Level A Equipment Group is $1,730 and adds power-adjustable convex exterior mirrors with auxiliary lighting that aids when reversing, a remote tailgate release, and ventilated front seats.

The Level B Equipment Group is $4,025 and additionally includes memory position seats, mirrors, and pedals, a 17-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and heated rear seats.

The Laramie can also be fitted with the Night Edition package which adds a dark theme to the truck with black-painted 20-inch wheels, exterior badging, grille accents, headlight and taillight bezels, mirror housings, and interior accents, as well as body-color front and rear bumpers, grille surround trim, and door handles.

The Limited Longhorn is elevated by its bi-functional LED projector headlights, body color and chrome door handles, real wood interior trim, a wood and leather steering wheel, leather seating surfaces with ventilation in front and heating in the second row, and a remote release tailgate.

The Limited Longhorns Level 1 Equipment Group features a 12-inch touchscreen, premium audio, a wireless charging pad, and power-deployable side steps.

Towing Technology Group is available for $1,095 and includes a cargo view camera, a surround-view camera system, trailer reverse guidance, and, for an additional $995, a Trailer surround-view camera system which should be enough to put anyone at ease while towing.

The Limited trim is distinguished by its unique grille, 20-inch wheels, and chrome badges, while a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, and power deployable running boards are also included as standard equipment.

The Limited Level 1 Equipment Group bundles the premium audio system, the Towing Technology Group, the Safety Group, and adaptive steering which helps optimize steering efforts depending on speed. The Night Edition is also available for $1,095.

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