The Chrysler Group has recently dropped all of the details
for the 2013 Ram 1500 lineup and while the new half ton Ram gets a new 8-speed
transmission, adjustable suspension and a fuel friendly new V6 – the Ram
Tradesman HD will evidently not continue on for 2013.The affordable workhorse Ram 1500 Tradesman will
continue on with a standard 4.7L V8 but the Hemi powered Tradesman HD will no
longer be offered.
For those not familiar with the Ram 1500 Tradesman HD, it
was a work rated half ton Ram pickup that was fitted with chassis and
suspension goodies that allowed this Ram 1500 to outwork the standard Ram 1500
Tradesman.The Tradesman HD also came
fitted with the 5.7L Hemi with 383 horsepower that is specific to the Ram 2500
and 3500 heavy duty models along with the other items needed to give this low
priced Ram incredible capabilities for a truck wearing an entry level price.With a towing capacity of 11,500 pounds and a
hauling capacity of 3,100 pounds – the Tradesman HD was quickly the most
powerful half ton truck on the market while also being one of the least
expensive.
While those consumers who appreciated the heavy duty
capabilities of the 2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman HD combined with the price of a
half ton pickup will surely be bummed to see this cost effective option removed
from the trimline list – we would expect to see something else come out in the
near future with similar capabilities. In the everlasting battle of the American truck segment, there is always
a measure of one-upmanship in terms of power and capabilities.Ram has shown that they can offer an
affordable half ton pickup with heavy duty capabilities – something that we
have not seen from Ford, Chevy or GMC. If the Ram 1500 is able to safely and reliably offer those capacities in
towing and hauling, I would be shocked to see some sort of package with those
increased limits arrive at some point in the 2013 model year.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
