As full-size pickups go, the light-duty ( ) truck is usually cheaper than its heavy-duty counterpart. This is because of the cost of the components needed to give the heavy-duty truck its 15,000-plus pounds of towing capacity. But in the case of the 2023 Ram 1500, if you want to add some options to your truck, you might consider the 3/4-ton Ram 2500 instead.
What is the MSRP for the Ram 2500?
Ram announces an MSRP for the 2023 Ram 1500 at $37,410. Upgrading to the Ram 2500 will cost you at least $44,675. This price is for a heavy-duty truck with a V8 engine and trailer, but it only comes with a two-door “Regular” cab.
With only two doors it makes it a relatively expensive mid-two.
For this reason, Ram still builds the fourth generation 1500, badged as a “Classic” Ram. Fleet vehicle operators and drivers on a tight budget can order the two-door starting at $30,695.
Is the entry-level Ram 2500 a good deal?
For $44,675, you can purchase a Ram 2500 “Tradesman” trim. At that price you get a two-door, two-door pickup truck. It has rubber floor mats, steel rims, and vinyl seats. But it also comes with a hitch and a V8 engine, both of which cost an additional 1500 “Tradesman”.
The MSRP for the 2023 Ram 2500 is for a white or “flame red” pickup. Upgrading to black, navy blue, or “Delmonico Red” will cost you $200. Silver and Gray cost an additional $250. Upgrading to aluminum wheels will also cost extra, and require a tire upgrade. One popular and expensive update to the Ram 2500 is the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel engine. This option costs $6,695 but raises the truck’s maximum towing capacity to 20,000 pounds.
The MSRP for the 2023 Ram 1500 does not include the $1,895 destination fee. So, the net price of the Ram for the 2500 is actually $46,570.
The best way to choose a Ram 1500 might be to buy a Ram 2500 instead
The Ram 1500 definitely has a lower entry MSRP than the larger one. But once you start opting for the Ram 1500 with features like V8 and 4WD, its price starts to skyrocket. On the other hand, the Ram 2500 comes with some valuable standard features. Other upgrades cost less than 1,500.
The Ram 1500’s base engine is a 3.6-liter, naturally aspirated “Pentastar” V6. This is the base engine across many Chrysler products, including Dodges and Jeeps. But many truck owners would love to upgrade to the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, which will set you back $2,995. Plus, adding a Class IV receiver hitch totals $445. A receiver hitch is included in the Hemi max towing package, but this costs $1,295.
On the other hand, the entry-level Ram 2500 comes with a trailer hitch and a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. The maximum towing capacity of a truck with this engine is over 15,000 lbs. You can see how the totals for the two trucks break down by option in the table below.
| Ram 1500 | Ram 2500 | |
| MSRP base | $37,410 | $44,675 |
| net price | $39,305 | $46,570 |
| V8 price | $42,300 | $46,570 |
| Drag package/V8 price | $43,595 | $46,570 |
| 4WD/Tow Package/V8 | $46,690 | $49,500 |
| Crew Cab / 4WD / Towing Package / V8 | $49,690 | $53,315 |
Curious about using heavy trucks? Find out or watch a Ram 2500 buyer’s guide in the video below:
