This 2011 Dodge Tradesman is cool. A bare-bones back-to-basics truck for guys who like sitting three across. It's got a bench seat -- covered in cloth -- manual windows, a class IV trailer hitch with four- and seven-pin connectors, heavy-duty engine/transmission cooling, multilink rear end with coil springs (it is a Ram 1500), a 26-gallon (with the 6-by-4-foot bed, 32-gallon if you get the 8-foot bed) fuel tank and a 5.7-liter Hemi making 390 horsepower and 407-pound feet of torque. Tow rating: 10,450 pounds.
The Tradesman comes pretty sparsely equipped, but is available with a 3.21 or 3.92 rear end, two- or four-wheel drive, anti-spin differential, chrome bumpers and exhaust, keyless entry, engine block heater, folding tow mirrors, Mopar side step, Uconnect with Bluetooth, Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires and more. It's even available in colors that aren't white. Colors like Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl or White Gold Metallic.
But forget all that. You can get a 2WD 2011 Ram Tradesman with a five-speed automatic for $22,780 and that includes the $975 destination fee. Sure, this truck is intended for small businesses that need an affordable reliable truck, but with those specs and that price...I just want it for a daily driver. Expect to see it in the second quarter of 2011.
93aero says:
03:03 PM, 02/ 9/11
Thats a pretty good deal for a work truck!
gtrguy2012 says:
03:27 PM, 02/ 9/11
Bare bones and everything you really need under the hood. I dig it.
smilez says:
03:34 PM, 02/ 9/11
That's great and all, but THAT'S the big news? I was really hoping for the Dakota replacement.
I know this version of the Ram will appeal to a lot of people, and I for one can not remember the last time you could get a full size truck for this little cash. With full size trucks pushing 60k, this is refreshing.
I just really would like an American manufacturer to show us an upcoming small to mid-sized truck that is in fact, going to be sold in America.
slickersdrip says:
03:36 PM, 02/ 9/11
I really do like this idea of a barebones truck like this with the right engine... I wish Dodge would sell it with a six speed manual, but I understand why they didn't bother to offer it.
mkvgti says:
03:57 PM, 02/ 9/11
i wish the company i worked for would quit giving us ford rangers as work trucks and give us this ram tradesman.
wrinklebump says:
06:02 PM, 02/ 9/11
I would also use this as a daily driver. The interior still looks nice, even though it's a couple years old now. Where else can you get 390 ponies for 23k?
greenpony says:
10:04 AM, 02/10/11
smilez, the Chicago Auto Show typically has a lower proportion of concept vehicles and a higher proportion of production vehicles. Look for a Dakota replacement at LA, NY, or Detroit.
smilez says:
11:16 AM, 02/10/11
greenpony -
I know, just wishful thinking.
I get the Denver show, so we don't even get all of the production vehicles!
firstwagon says:
11:22 AM, 02/10/11
Nice truck. Good to see a pick up designed to be a pick up instead of a huge family sedan (or a fashion statement).
csubowtie says:
12:09 PM, 02/10/11
Now that's what I'm talking about. Give me the good powertrain stuff, and the stuff to use it, and keep all the fancy scmancy stuff and gizmos. Keep the price low but the function high.
alman08 says:
07:33 PM, 02/10/11
or you can have a Ford F150 XL basic work truck with a V8 for under $25k. but you will have to order one because most dealers carry the 3.7L V6 with all the funny stuffs for about $24-27k.
bimmerjay says:
10:56 PM, 02/10/11
Is it just me or does it look like the Ram in the bottom pic is completely Photoshopped into that background?
moparbad says:
07:58 PM, 02/11/11
Trucks are starting to be viewed for their function instead of fashion. Dodge is positioning itself for the future. And they are still selling the mega expensive fashion statement trucks too, no reason to turn away from the big profits.
It's amazing how different Chrysler is operating with so many of the same people that were part of the disaster that Cerberus and Daimler created.
fmdog44 says:
05:48 AM, 02/22/11
I'll bet some of you have never had to manually roll down a window!! It would be like having to get off the couch to manually change the channel on your television! This is a great idea for Dodge, they sill probably sell every one they produce. Good for work, hunting, performance aftermarket and just plain cheap for those on a tight budget.