When we think of a work truck, the image of an old beater often comes to mind. There’s nothing wrong with that if you only have some pocket change to offer, but some brand new trucks are perfect examples of a work pickup and aren’t that expensive. The Ram 1500 is one of them. 

This pickup is a favorite of many critics. According to Forbes, they consider it one of the Best Full-Size Trucks for 2021, giving it their score of 90 points out of 100. Let’s take a look at what’s behind the Ram name and why it’s so great as a work truck. 

What’s behind the Ram name?

As Forbes so succinctly put it, “The RAM brand might be only a decade old, but 100 years of experience goes into each truck it builds.” The Ram name for its lineup of pickups isn’t all that old, but it’s a name that came from a long line of Dodge vehicles. This automaker has been producing trucks since 1917, albeit under the Dodge name. 

When Chrysler bought them out in 1928, vehicles were still produced under Dodge. We didn’t see the Ram name until the early 80s when the lite truck division picked up the Power Ram moniker. By 2009, the medium to heavy-duty trucks merged into the Ram name, which they’re still known as today. 

According to Forbes, Chrysler merged with the Italian automaker, Fiat, saving it from bankruptcy in 2009. In 2014 all the restructuring had been accomplished, and the brand became known as Fiat Chrysler.

Why is the Ram 1500 such a good work truck?

The Ram 1500 is the lightest load in the pickup lineup, but it still has plenty to offer as far as a work truck goes. Power is one of the most important features a truck could have. According to MotorTrend, Ram 1500 gives you a total of four engine choices. 

The standard unit is a 3.6-liter V6 motor, accompanied by a 48-volt mild-hybrid eTorque system, generating 305 hp. You can also choose a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, a 5.7-liter V8 that comes with or without eTorque, and a 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine. Each motor comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.  You can even add 4WD if you want. 

The best engine option is the 3.0-liter turbodiesel, which gets you 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg when traveling on the highway for the rear-wheel-drive version. If you choose the 4WD option, you can expect 2-3 mpg less for both city and highway. 

According to Forbes, the Ram 1500 has one of the best offerings for upscale interiors on the pickup market. This is one of the reasons why they listed it as the #1 Full-Size Truck for 2021. In fact, some of its critics named the 2020 model a Luxury Vehicle of the Year due to its high level of refinement. 

How well will the Ram 1500 handle towing and payload?

The second and third most important features of a work truck are its towing and payload capacity. The Ram 1500 doesn’t disappoint with its light-duty pickup. 

This truck has two beds to choose from. You can get either the 5-foot seven-inch or a 6-foot four-inch box. Payload capacity is about 2,300 lbs if you get the standard 3.6-liter engine. If you upgrade to the 5.7-liter V8, you will only get as much as 1,970 lbs. 

MotorTrend recommends the RWD quad cab version with the long bed to achieve the best results for towing. If you stick with the standard motor, you can tow up to 7,730 lbs. Upgrading to the V8 with eTorque will increase it to 12,750 lbs. 

The Ram 1500 is an overachiever when it comes to light-duty pickup. If you’re looking to get a dependable work truck, give the 1500 model a try and see what it can do for you.