While Dodge and Ram don’t have any involvement in the 2012
Geneva Motor Show that opened yesterday in Switzerland, the Chrysler Ram Truck
brand made an announcement of its own here in the US – introducing two new cab
options for the popular Ram 1500 Tradesman.
The Ram Tradesman was originally introduced strictly with a
regular cab option but for the 2012 model year, buyers can now opt for the Crew
Cab and Quad Cab configuration on new Ram Tradesman trucks.The Tradesman is the second least expensive
truck in the Ram 1500 lineup – coming in less than a thousand dollars more than
the entry level V6-powered Ram 1500 ST.
The Ram Tradesman package was introduced for the 2012 model
year, combining V8 powered with a work truck devoid of things that work trucks
really don’t need.In the past, someone
who wanted a Ram 1500 work truck had to either deal with a less powerful engine
in a production work truck or they had to buy a trimline that had a V8 and more
capabilities while also paying for amenities that one doesn’t need in a work
truck.
All 2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman come standard with the 310
horsepower 4.7L V8 but buyers can opt for the more powerful 5.7L Hemi V8.Also, there 1500 Tradesman HD is available
with the 383 horsepower Hemi V8 from the Ram HD lineup to make for the ultimate
light duty work truck with a low price thanks to the exclusion of items that a
buyer doesn’t need in a hard working truck.
"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.
While Dodge and Ram don’t have any involvement in the 2012