Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93727
FIRSTDRIVE ROCK SOLID Ram 1500 Tradesman 4x4: A cost-conscious pickup that handles cargo with ease By Tom Jackson Photos by Bruce W. Smith as you want and write it off as a business expense. But once construction companies get to a certain size, deductions matter less than keeping costs down. And if you're not making I a profi t, there's nothing to deduct from anyway. Given this environment, a lot of contractors are taking a hard look at how much they're will- ing to spend on new equipment and trucks. Enter the Ram 1500 Tradesman, a cost-conscious contender with more going for it than your typical zero-ameni- ties truck. Contractors keeping a sharp eye on expenses will fi nd a lot to like here. We had a chance to drive a new 2012 Tradesman Regular Cab 4x4 this winter, and except for the cloth seats and the hand crank for the windows, you really wouldn't think you were driving 38 PROPICKUP June 2012 f you own a small construc- tion company you can put as much money into your truck a budget truck (base price $25,835, as tested $30,975). POWER PUNCHER What keeps this truck fi ghting above its weight class is the decision by Ram engineers to invest in what counts. The 5.7L, V8 Hemi engine (390 hp/407 ft.-lbs. torque) mated to a six- speed automatic transmission gives you all the get up and go you could ask for. It's greedy with the gas (EPA 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway), but if it's work you're trying to do, this combo pulls up to 8,900 pounds on the hitch, 1,440 pounds of payload and is rated for 8,900 pounds GCWR. (There is a lighter duty 3.7L/ V-6 available with 215hp/235 foot-pounds of torque.) CARGO MANAGEMENT Our truck also came with the RamBox Cargo Management Snug it up. The bed divider can be placed anywhere along the sliding rails to keep cargo from moving around. System (a $1,295 option). The RamBox system consists of three diff erent elements: drainable and lighted storage bins that run the length of the bed along the bedsides. that also acts as a 2-foot bed extender. The bed divider and cleats slide and lock operate with turn, loose cargo is potentially lethal. Kudos to Ram for mak- ing it much easier to secure al- THINKING INSIDE THE BOX But it's the two lockable stor- age boxes that generated the most discussion among our crew. Our debate boiled down to how well this design com- pares to conventional trans- verse mounted aftermarket toolboxes. The traditional truck toolbox is hard to get into. If you're standing on the ground you won't be able to reach anything in the middle and very little at the bottom of one of these. If they're shallow you can't put much in them. If they're