Your Guide to 2024 Ram 3500 Trim Levels

August 9th, 2024 by

A black 2024 Ram 3500 Tradesman Night Edition is shown driving on a highway.

What kind of vehicle do you need for your daily life? For getting to work each day, picking up kids from school, and running errands on the weekend, just about any vehicle can get the job done. But nothing beats a full-size truck when you’re trying to tackle serious work or haul massive amounts of weight behind you. While the standard Ram 1500 can handle some tough jobs, if you’re interested in a Ram 3500 for sale, you likely need something with even more muscle packed into it. The Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty powerhouse ready to take on the most challenging and demanding jobs, pushing beyond even what other Ram trucks can do. There are numerous trims available for the Ram 3500, however, which can make it challenging to find the perfect one with everything you need. So, look at these five models to see what they offer and determine which one is right for you.

Ram 3500 Tradesman – Standard Features, Superior Performance

This is the starting trim level for the Ram 3500, and everything else we’ll look at builds on it, so it’s essential to get a sense of the standard features it offers. For starters, the Tradesman comes with a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine that delivers an impressive 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, giving it plenty of power for anything you throw at it. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth and responsive performance. Two-wheel drive (4×2) is standard for the Tradesman, with four-wheel drive (4×4) available; similarly, a Regular Cab with an eight-foot box is standard, though a Crew Cab is available with either a six-foot-four-inch or eight-foot bed.

Two other engines are available for the Tradesman: a 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I-6 clocking in at 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, or a High-Output version of this diesel that delivers 420 hp and an incredible 1,075 lb-ft of torque. The kind of capability you get from your truck depends on many factors, but the powertrain is one of the most significant considerations, and these options present a dire choice. The maximum payloads and towing capacities possible for the 2024 Ram 3500 with each engine are:

  • 6.4L HEMI V8: 7,680 lbs payload / 18,210 lbs towing
  • 6.7L Turbo Diesel: 6,830 lbs payload / 22,660 lbs towing
  • 6.7L High-Output: 6,560 lbs payload / 37,090 lbs towing

You can see the tremendous difference your choice of engine can make for a properly-equipped Tradesman (don’t forget that part!). The Tradesman comes with 18-inch or 17-inch wheels if you choose a dual rear-wheel (DRW) model, plus basic exterior features including a black grille, black front and rear bumpers, and quad-halogen headlamps. Inside, you’ll find vinyl seating, a five-inch infotainment system with Uconnect 3 software, a standard urethane steering wheel, and a 3.5-inch Driver Information Display cluster screen.

A black 2024 Ram 3500 Big Horn is shown towing a trailer on a dirt road.

Ram 3500 Big Horn – Enhanced Features Inside and Out

Moving up to the Big Horn gets you a number of enhancements and upgrades to the starting features, making this a great choice if you prefer a more refined driving experience. The Big Horn has the same standard and available engines and the same configuration options for the drive type and cab/bed setup. Looking at the outside, the Big Horn has a black-insert grille with chrome surround and chrome bumpers for an added touch of sophistication, along with chrome headlamp bezels and black door handles. If you hear someone refer to this trim level as the Lone Star, they’re probably from Texas, the only state where a special Lone Star edition of this trim debuted in 2019.

Inside the Big Horn, we find cloth seating to replace the standard vinyl seats and a cloth rear bench if you choose a Crew Cab model. You get manual four-way driver and front-passenger seats, premium vinyl door trim paneling, and several similar touches throughout the interior. Certain features are available for the Big Horn that you can’t get on the starting Tradesman model, such as a remote start system, premium cloth seating, and heated front seats. You can also get a premium 10-speaker sound system not offered on the starting model, along with other equipment packages and options.

Ram 3500 Laramie – Sophisticated, Yet Powerful

With the Laramie, we get the last model that lets you choose between a 4×2 and 4×4 configuration. This one starts with a Crew Cab, letting you choose between two bed sizes, and it has a spacious Mega Cab available with a six-foot box behind it. It has the same standard engine and two available turbo diesel engines as the previous two models, giving you the greatest choice in the performance you want. You’ll find a chrome surround and chrome grille on the Laramie, along with body-color front and rear bumpers and body-color door handles. An enhanced tailgate is featured on the Laramie, and 18-inch wheels are still standard.

Inside, the Laramie includes many upgrades, including leather-trimmed seating featuring power front seats with two-way power lumbar, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic temperature control. The Laramie features a seven-inch Driver Information Display and an 8.4-inch infotainment display with upgraded Uconnect 5 software, including Navigation support. You get LED ambient interior lighting for a nicer overall experience inside the Laramie, plus a 10-speaker sound system, including a subwoofer to enhance your time on the road each day.

Ram 3500 Limited Longhorn – 4×4 Power and Performance

If you’re looking for monster performance and impressive luxury in your truck, the Ram 3500 Limited Longhorn is a great place to start. This one comes with the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine standard, with the High-Output version available, with 4×4 as the standard—you can get the Mega Cab configuration here, too. Premium LED projector headlamps with LED taillamps and LED fog lamps ensure excellent visibility in all conditions, while a unique bright surround and Limited Longhorn-specific grille give this model extra style.

The Limited Longhorn features premium leather trim and wood details throughout the interior, creating a richly luxurious cabin. Premium leather front bucket seats with a full-length center console elevate your time on the road, with heated front and rear seats, a premium leather rear bench seat, and ventilated front seats. You get a leather-wrapped real-wood steering wheel, plus a massive 12-inch full-digital Driver Information Display to go along with the 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 screen. Overall, this is a fantastic model with a lot to offer.

A black 2024 Ram 3500 Limited is shown driving on a highway after viewing a Ram 3500 for sale.

Ram 3500 Limited – The Pinnacle of Ram Design

Finally, we reach the Limited, which is the culmination of everything offered on the 2024 Ram 3500. This model also has the turbo diesel standard, with the High-Output engine available, and comes with 4×4 and the same configuration options as the previous trim. 20-inch wheels are standard on the Limited, along with a unique Limited-specific grille and other exclusive details to make this model stand out. Inside, you’ll find Limited-specific premium leather trim and wood treatment with premium leather seating and gorgeous details throughout. You get advanced tech features and options, all of which come together to create an incredible driving experience that’s more capable than nearly any other truck out there.

Which Ram 3500 Has Everything You Need?

As you can see, you have five excellent choices available when looking for the right Ram 3500 that will help you get your job done. Since you can get a DRW setup and different configuration options for any of these trims, consider the capability you want and then go from there. With that in mind, the Tradesman is the most budget-friendly choice but has restrained features and options, acting as a standard for each model that builds on what came before. We like the Big Horn and Laramie for their excellent middle ground between the various trims and the Limited Longhorn and Limited for delivering the ultimate do-it-all truck. No matter what you’re looking for in your next truck, a Ram can deliver it, and our friendly team members are by your side every step of the way.

Posted in Ram 3500 for Sale