Big trucks deserve an apology because the driving public has been selling them short. There is a notion that trucks with big hauling capacity are workaholics that thrive on doing big jobs, splashing through the mud with a bed full of tools. They’ve become a symbol for industry and progress, and while that’s not a bad thing, it’s also not entirely accurate. As the 2022 Ram 2500 demonstrates, even the big trucks like to have fun. After all, what’s the point of having a lot of natural talent if you can’t unwind from time to time?
As a driver, you sometimes hit the road for fun, so why shouldn’t your truck have the opportunity to flex its muscles? All work, no play makes Jack a dull boy, and the 2022 Ram 2500 is here to support your decision to enjoy the downtime. For too long, a work truck has been a work truck, and the fun driving, the family driving, and even the daily driving has been passed off onto another vehicle. The 2022 Ram 2500 topples that idea, combining the tools you need to get the job done with the features you need to have a good time. Whether you’re using the backseat for storage, your coworkers, or three car seats, this big truck isn’t a one-note song: it’s ready to become a part of your life.
The Business Side of the 2022 Ram 2500
Don’t get the wrong impression–the 2022 Ram 2500 isn’t a slacker, goofing off while its classmates pick up the slack. This Ram 2500 is very capable, disciplined, and dependable, and it all starts with the powerhouse of the truck. The Ram 2500 offers drivers a choice between two legendary engines: a 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine and a 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I-6 option. Both are exceptionally well-suited for their jobs.
The 6.4L HEMI V8 and its accompanying 8-speed automatic transmission provide a best-in-class standard 410 horsepower with 429 lb-ft of torque. This combination is good for towing up to 17,540 pounds or cruising with a payload of 4,010 pounds. While the standard HEMI is a pretty formidable option, those who need a little more capability can opt for the available 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I-6 engine. This engine can tow up to 20,000 pounds and handle a 3,160-pound payload thanks to its 370 horsepower and breathtaking 850 lb-ft of torque. Only the Power Wagon trim includes standard four-wheel drive, but the rest of the trims may be optioned to include four 4-wheel drive.
The Ram 2500 also features tools that help increase productivity at the job site, but with a little consideration, you can probably come up with a few ways they could help in recreational situations as well. For example, the LED lights built into the cargo bed can help you keep working long into the night, or they could help you set up your campsite quickly and easily so you can get some shut-eye after a long day of hiking. The 115-volt bed outlet can be used to keep power tools running on the job site, but it works just as well to keep devices running when you’re heading out into the backcountry.
Other business-like features of the Ram 2500 include integrated towing hardware, Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension with Bed Lowering Mode for faster, more accurate trailer hitching, and an available Digital Rearview Mirror with a live feed from your trailer camera when in Tow Mode. But all of these towing features work just as well for hauling a boat to the lake or a camper to the campsite as they do for pulling a flatbed with a skid steer to the jobsite.
The Party Side of the 2022 Ram 2500
But this isn’t just a dry recitation of how bold and mighty the 2022 Ram 2500 is–we already know that. Instead, this is about the newly-discovered sense of fun and excitement that big trucks are bringing to drivers. Drivers spend a significant amount of their time behind the wheel, a fact which Ram has chosen to acknowledge with plenty of comfort and convenience features inside the cabin. Even the base Tradesman trim–long known as the worker bee trim–comes with things to make the ride more exciting, such as a 6-speaker sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, a 5-inch infotainment system, and 2 USB ports.
Moving up the trims adds more features. The Big Horn trim introduces a standard 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with adding standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Laramie trim includes leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and power-adjustable heated seats, which can bring a weary driver comfort after a long day at work. However, those heated seats are just as capable of helping you thaw out before the drive home after a long day of snowboarding or other winter sports.
The Limited Longhorn trim tips the interior from “comfortable” to “luxurious,” with handy features like rain-sensing wipers, heated second-row seats, and a remote tailgate release. The top trim, the Limited, rides high on 20-inch wheels, but don’t worry–it’s got built-in power running boards to help with the climb into the cab. The standard infotainment screen grows to 12 inches on the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad is on board to keep devices charged without keeping you tethered.
The Wild Side of the 2022 Ram 2500
Rumors have been circulating that the 2022 Ram 2500 Power Wagon would be the best version yet, and Ram has not let its drivers down. This off-road-ready truck is both capable and ready to rock…or mud, or swim, wherever the lack of road may lead. With standard four-wheel drive, 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, and underbody skid plates, it’s clear that this Ram knows how to party.
The Power Wagon also comes already equipped with a load of equipment that makes it ready to tackle the great unknown, including a WARN ZEON-12 winch with a 12,000-pound rating, Bilstein Gas-Charged Monotube Shocks, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and an electronically disconnecting front sway bar. All told, there’s not much that the 2022 Power Wagon isn’t excited about when it comes to taking on the world.
The Power Wagon is offered as a crew cab with a 6-foot 4-inch box that can handle a payload up to 1,630 pounds, reminding us that it does have a practical side. From Mopar rubber floor mats that keep the interior tidy to features like the integrated trailer brake controller and ParkSense Front and Rear Park-Assist System, the Ram Power Wagon is, above all, a very driveable vehicle, even on the boring asphalt.
Big Trucks Have Big Fun in a Big Way
It wasn’t that long ago that only the smaller trucks were allowed to have fun. Trucks like the Ram 2500 were outfitted with vinyl seats, and even air conditioning was only an option. However, the year is now 2022, and many people require bigger trucks for every facet of their lives. Why should you buy a boring work truck if you also need a truck for the more exciting things you do?
The 2022 Ram 2500 takes its responsibilities seriously, but it’s also dedicated to having a good time. Whether you need a Power Wagon to get you over the river and through the woods, a Limited to function as your corner office on the road, or you’re somewhere in between on the range of fun versus function, there is a Ram 2500 ready to tow, stow, and go anywhere you need it to. Having fun is no crime, and once the long day’s work is done, the 2022 Ram 2500 is just as ready to unwind as you are. Whether it’s full of tools and coworkers or friends and family, this is a Ram that has just as many interests as you do, and it’s happy to be along for the trip.
