Does the Ram 2500 Have the Power You Need?

That’s an excellent question. Whether you’re just starting to look at different options for your next truck or in search of a Ram 2500 for sale near Charlotte right now, we’re certain that you have questions about Ram’s premier pickup. We want to help with these questions today, particularly regarding the Ram 2500 and the kind of power and performance it brings to the road. Standing as the perfect “middle road” between the Ram 1500 and Ram 3500, the 2500 offers greater capability and muscle than the Ram 1500 while providing terrific options that can meet a wide range of needs at a fair price. Finding the perfect truck depends on various factors, but today, we’ll see if we can help you narrow things down a bit.

Engines and Power With the Ram 2500

The Ram 2500 has a lot to offer for all sorts of drivers, but right now, we’re most interested in the raw power it brings to the road. When looking at any heavy-duty truck, this is the most important thing, and no impressive features can overcome a lack of capability. Fortunately, that’s not a problem with a Ram pickup. You have two engines to choose from with the 2024 Ram 2500, starting with a 6.4L HEMI V8 gas engine that clocks in at 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for responsive performance. You can choose two- or four-wheel drive, depending on what you prefer for getting around Charlotte.

If you’re looking for enhanced performance, a second engine is available: a 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel I-6 engine that elevates the 2500’s torque to the next level. This beast of an engine delivers 370 hp and a remarkable 850 lb-ft of torque, ensuring you have plenty of muscle to tackle anything your job throws at you. In terms of capabilities, the Ram 2500, with its standard engine, has 4,000 lbs of payload capacity and more than 17,700 lbs of towing capacity. If you go with the available turbo-diesel engine, you get 3,150 lbs of payload capacity and an impressive 19,990 lbs of maximum towing. That’s a lot of power packed into this truck, and it’s one of the biggest reasons so many people go for the Ram 2500 year after year.

How Does That Compare to the Ram 1500?

For many of our customers, this is a big question—they’re often torn between the Ram 1500 or the Ram 2500 and trying to decide which is right for them. It’s a major decision, and the answer to which model suits you depends on what you’re looking to do with your truck. Let’s look at the 2024 Ram 1500. It has three engines available, starting with a 3.6L V6 with 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. There’s a 5.7L HEMI V8 with 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque and a 6.2L HEMI supercharged V8 that’s only found on the TRX model. While the third option is great for that model, the other two available engines are nothing to scoff at. Still, there’s a shakeup happening right now, and the 2025 Ram 1500 has very different options.

For 2025, the Ram 1500 has the same starting engine, but the longtime HEMI V8 is replaced with a new 3.0L Hurricane I-6 engine that provides 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. Even more impressive, a High-Output version of this engine boosts those numbers up to 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. This is remarkable power, to be sure, and all of us Ram fans are incredibly excited to see this powerful pickup driving around Charlotte. But what about capability?

Looking at the 2024 Ram 1500 with its standard engine, you can get 2,300 lbs of payload capacity and 8,110 lbs of maximum towing. When properly equipped, the HEMI V8 reduces payload slightly to 1,940 lbs but boosts towing to 12,750 lbs. If you go with a 2025 Ram 1500, the max payload with its standard engine is now 2,370 lbs, though towing remains the same. The new Hurricane engine lets the 1500 haul up to 1,980 lbs in the bed and tow 11,550 lbs behind it—we’ve lost a bit of towing, but not too much. Either way, you can see these numbers are behind the Ram 2500 no matter what year you look at. If you need 13,000 lbs or more of towing or more than 3,000 lbs of payload capacity, then the Ram 2500 is likely the way to go, regardless of generation.

Taking Power and Performance to the Next Level

As we’re talking about power and performance in the Ram lineup, we have to at least briefly mention the Ram 3500, which is the big sibling to the impressive Ram 2500. The Ram 3500 has the same two engines on offer as the Ram 2500, giving you impressive power and performance with a HEMI V8 gas engine or bold turbo-diesel. However, the Ram 3500 goes further by offering you a third option: High Output version of the turbo-diesel that delivers 420 hp and an incredible 1,075 lb-ft of torque. The other noteworthy thing about the Ram 3500 is that it’s available with a dual rear-wheel (DRW) setup rather than only a single rear-wheel, which you can’t get with the Ram 1500 or 2500. Thanks to its powerful engines and DRW configuration, you can get up to 7,680 lbs of maximum payload with the Ram 3500 and more than 37,000 lbs of fifth wheel/gooseneck towing from this monster.

Other Factors for Charlotte Drivers to Consider

One final thing we didn’t mention, but should, is that there are some other differences between what’s available with the Ram 1500 and the Ram 2500. In particular, you can get a larger bed on the Ram 2500 than the Ram 1500. Looking at the Ram 1500 has two options: a standard bed with about 54 cu.ft. of cargo volume or a longer bed with more than 61 cu.ft. of cargo space. But with the Ram 2500, its standard bed gives you more than 57 cu.ft. of cargo space, plus there’s a longer bed available that has more than 74 cu.ft. of cargo volume for you to utilize. This second bed for the Ram 2500 is also nearly two feet longer than the longest bed for the Ram 1500. You’ll have to decide how important to you that is, but it’s worth keeping in mind, along with the increased power and capabilities of Ram heavy-duty trucks.

Is the Ram 2500 the Right Truck for You?

As you can see, the performance you enjoy with the Ram 2500 is quite impressive, making it one of our favorite picks for a terrific work truck. The right truck for you depends on what you need from your pickup; if the engines and capabilities of the Ram 1500 can deliver what you require, then it’s a fantastic choice. On the other hand, if you need more power from your truck and payload/towing beyond what the Ram 1500 can handle, you should check out the Ram 2500 and experience everything it offers. As much as we love the Ram 3500, we also know it’s a lot more truck than many people need, so the Ram 2500 tends to fall into a better “middle way” spot between the other two. No matter which one you choose, you can rest assured that Ram trucks deliver exciting performance, reliable power, and a driving experience you will enjoy for years to come.