RAM Trim Levels Explained

What Are Trim Levels?

So, what are trim levels, anyway? Think of these packages as manufacturer-selected option groups, with each offering a different assortment of features at different price points, whether those be chassis upgrades, drivetrain upgrades, appearance upgrades, or interior/convenience upgrades. As one would expect, the more options, the higher the price tag! 

So what’s the purpose of trim levels? These option groups allow consumers to fine-tune their new RAM pickups to better match their budget and needs; for example, a blue-collar worker who’ll use and abuse their pickup for work likely won’t want to spend the money on a fully-loaded luxury pickup, whereas a family looking for a plush and luxurious driving experience may.

In short, trim levels are used to personalize a pickup to individual customers’ needs without requiring them to hand-select 100+ unique options.

RAM Trim Levels

With a decent understanding of trim levels under our belt, let’s turn our attention to the meat of this article: RAM trim levels. In this section, we’re reviewing each of the eight trim levels across RAM 1500 and HD lines, including a basic overview of the package, who each is best for, and some standard features.

Tradesman

The RAM Tradesman is a well-equipped, entry-level pickup engineered for trades workers, offering basic amenities at an affordable price point. This trim level is ideal for use on the job site or as a service vehicle, sporting black bumpers, grille, trim, standard halogen lighting, steel wheels, power windows, and power door locks. 

Other features include: 

• Standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 producing 305 horsepower (1500)

• Standard 6.4L HEMI V8 producing 410 horsepower (2500)

• 8-speed automatic transmission

• 18-inch steel wheels wrapped in P275/65SR18 (1500) or LT275/70SR18E (2500) tires

• Halogen lighting

• Keyless entry

• Manual air conditioning

• Power windows/locks

• AM/FM radio with 6-speaker audio

• Vinyl upholstery

• Vinyl flooring

• Standard hitch receiver and 7-pin wiring harness

Big Horn

Starting at $44,030 for 1500 models and $51,270 for 2500 models.

The Big Horn is one of the most popular RAM trims, replacing the previous SLT (special luxury trim). This trim package adds such standard features as chrome bumpers, carpet flooring, cloth upholstery, and chrome-clad/alloy wheels. This trim level is ideal for a budget-minded family vehicle or a trades worker who prefers a few additional creature comforts over the base Tradesman. 

The Big Horn includes all of the features of the Tradesman, as well as: 

• Chrome halogen headlights

• Chrome bumpers and fascia

• 18-inch alloy wheels with P275/65SR18 tires (1500) or chrome-clad steel wheels with LT275/70SR18E tires (2500)

• Automatic lighting control

• Carpet flooring

• Cloth upholstery

• Telescoping steering wheel (1500)

• Leather steering wheel

Laramie

Starting at $54,030 for 1500 models and $68,225 for 2500 models.

The Laramie trim is a definitive jump into luxury, sporting significantly upgraded aesthetics, interior features, amenities, and more! Laramie models are ideal as family vehicles and tow rigs, pairing the functionality of a pickup with the comfort and luxury welcomed on long road trips. 

The Laramie includes all the features of a Big Horn, as well as: 

• LED fog light and tail lights (1500)

• 18-inch polished aluminum wheels on LT275/70SR18E tires (2500)

• Body-colored bumpers (2500)

• Power-adjustable driver and passenger seats 

• Power-adjustable side-view mirrors

• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

• Sat/HD radio with 10-speaker audio

• Simulated suede/leather upholstery

• Driver and passenger heated seats

Rebel

Starting at $58,745 for 1500 models and $70,735 for 2500 models. 

The RAM Rebel is a stylish, off-road-inspired trim package based on the Big Horn. This package adds several rugged aesthetic features and some mild chassis upgrades; however, it’s essentially a Big Horn with a backwoods makeover! 

The RAM Rebel includes all of the features of the Big Horn, as well as: 

• Black-housing halogen headlights

• Black high-clearance bumpers

• Black Rebel grille

• 18-inch black/machined aluminum wheels wrapped in LT275/70RR18E all-terrain tires (1500) or 20-inch black/machined aluminum wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires (2500)

• Bilstein monotube dampers

• Integrated skid plates

• Factory lift

Limited Longhorn

Starting at $61,340 for 1500 models and $84,755 for 2500 models. 

The RAM Limited Longhorn trim is all about blending luxury with rugged aesthetics, just like the RAM brand! This trim level is similar to the King Ranch package offered by Ford, providing a luxurious selection of amenities with a cowboy aesthetic. With premium leather upholstery, an available 2-tone paint job, and features to boot, the Limited Longhorn package is just as well-suited for hauling hay as it is for taking the family out to a nice dinner!  

The RAM Limited Longhorn includes all of the features of the Laramie, as well as: 

• Standard Cummins 6.7L I-6 Turbodiesel engine (2500)

• 6-speed automatic transmission (2500)

• 20-inch polished aluminum wheels wrapped in P275/55TR20 all-season tires (1500) or 18-inch polished aluminum wheels wrapped in LT275/70SR18E all-season tires

• LED headlights, tail lights, and fog lights   

• Automatic dual-zone climate control

• Keyless entry with remote start

• Leather upholstery and door panel inserts

• Heated and vented driver and passenger seats

• Leather/wood steering wheel

Limited

Starting at $65,205 for 1500 models and $88,650 for 2500 models. 

The RAM Limited is the ultimate luxury pickup, offering the features and amenities of a luxury SUV with the rugged aesthetics and durability you expect from a RAM pickup! The Limited includes such features as a massive 12-inch UConnect 5 infotainment display, a digital advanced gauge cluster, heated and vented leather seats, and more! 

As far as we can tell, the Limited and Limited Longhorn trims are virtually identical feature-wise, aside from some trim-specific paint and interior colors.

TRX

Starting at $85,700. 

The RAM 1500 TRX is a specialty pickup engineered to compete head-to-head with other high-performance pickups, like the Ford Raptor. This pickup packs widened bodywork, sporty interior, high-capable mid-travel suspension, and a fire-breathing, supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 under the hood, pumping out 702 horsepower and 650 lb/ft of torque to propel the TRX to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds! 

The RAM TRX has several impressive standard features, including: 

• Standard 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 pumping out 702 horsepower and 650 lb/ft of torque 

• Uconnect® 5 NAV with a 12-inch touchscreen with available 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio

• 12-inch digital gauge cluster

• Console-mounted shifter with manual shift mode

• Leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel

• Leather-trimmed sport seats

• Bilstein® Black Hawk® e² shock system

• Selec-Speed control system

• 8 selectable drive modes

• Available HUD heads-up display

• Available digital rearview mirror

• 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires

• Available beadlock-capable wheels

• Ram-Air hood with integrated moisture separator

Power Wagon (2500 HD Specific)

While the TRX is engineered to blast through rough terrain at high speeds, the RAM Power Wagon has a different mission: crawling and trekking through some of the most challenging low-speed terrain with ease! The RAM 2500 Power Wagon is an icon on the trail, stemming back to the mid-20th century. After a multi-decade hiatus, the trim level returned in 2005 as a force to be reckoned with on the trail and retains its impressive performance to this day! 

The Power Wagon includes such features as electric front swaybar disconnects, heavy-duty steel bumpers, available Warn winch, and locking differentials. 

The RAM Power Wagon includes all of the features of the Rebel, as well as: 

• 17-inch matte black/machine aluminum wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires

• Black powder-coated front and rear bumpers

• Electronic locking front and rear differentials

• 4.10 axle gear ratio

• Electronic front sway bar disconnects

• Telescopic tow mirrors

• Available 12,000-pound Warn winch

• 12-inch digital gauge cluster

• Available 8.4-inch or 12-inch UConnect 5 infotainment system

Which Trim Package is Right for You?

With all of our RAM trim packages covered, now comes the challenging question: which is right for you? Selecting the trim package you plan to invest in greatly depends on the planned usage of your pickup, your desired features, and your budget; let’s take a close look at each of these factors.  

When debating which trim package is best for you, consider how you plan to use your pickup. Is it a dedicated work truck, a family vehicle, or perhaps even a weekend wheeler? For work trucks, we’d recommend the Tradesman for its basic options and considerable value. For street-driven daily drivers, we’d opt for a Big Horn at the least, though the Laramie, Limited, and Limited Longhorn are considerably comfier and well-optioned. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the added performance of a Rebel, TRX, or Power Wagon. 

Next, let’s touch on your budget. As aforementioned, the more options, the higher the price tag; for instance, a base model Tradesman 1500 can be had for just under $39,000 MSRP, whereas a TRX begins at nearly $86,000! Your ideal budget will likely inform the features you’re comfortable living with or without; with this number in mind, analyze the trim levels at that price point and gauge which aesthetics and options best suit your preferences! 

And remember, if you’re having trouble finding the exact options you’re looking for on dealer lots, you can always Special Order a New Pickup! Additionally, we offer a massive inventory of parts and accessories to transform even an entry-level RAM into the truck of your dreams. For additional information, contact the experts and check out the rest of our RAM resources!