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Used 2018 Ram 3500 Regular Cab Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

Like many heavy-duty pickups, the 2018 Ram 3500 is available in multiple configurations. There are three cab styles, two bed lengths, three engines, two transmissions, and six trim levels: Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited. At one end of the spectrum is the Tradesman, a minimal-frills workhorse; at the other is the Limited, which widens the boundaries of big-truck luxury.

Cab styles include a two-door regular cab, a four-door crew cab, and a four-door jumbo crew cab called Mega Cab. The regular cab comes with an 8-foot bed only, while the crew cab has either the long bed or a short bed (6 feet 4 inches). The Mega Cab rides on the same wheelbase as the long-bed crew cab long but combines an even bigger cabin with the short bed.

Most 3500s come with a 5.7-liter V8 gasoline engine (383 horsepower, 400 pound-feet of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There are two optional engines: a 6.4-liter V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and a turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel six-cylinder. The latter makes 350 hp and 660 lb-ft when matched to a six-speed manual transmission. When paired with a six-speed automatic, those numbers are 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. There's even a heavy-duty six-speed auto that churns out 385 hp and 930 lb-ft.

The 3500 is available with either rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive.
Tradesman and SLT trims are available with all three cabs, while the Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited versions can only be ordered with crew and Mega cabs.

The Tradesman is the most basic trim and comes with 18-inch steel wheels (17 inches on models with dual rear wheels), automatic headlights, black grille and bumpers, tow hooks, a locking tailgate, a limited-slip rear differential, air conditioning, a 40/20/40-split front bench, a tilt-only steering wheel, vinyl upholstery, a driver information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an incorporated rearview camera display, and a six-speaker stereo with a USB port.

Power windows and locks, including the locking tailgate, are standard on crew-cab models, as are power-adjustable and heated mirrors. Regular cabs have manual controls and non-heated mirrors by default.

The SLT adds chrome exterior trim, chrome wheels, an integrated trailer brake controller, heated mirrors, a power-sliding rear window (manual on regular cabs), remote locking and unlocking, an overhead console, cloth upholstery, carpeted floors, full power accessories, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 5-inch touchscreen interface that displays the rearview camera image.

The Big Horn (Lone Star for shoppers in Texas) adds alloy wheels, chrome grille slats, foglights, a 115-volt power outlet, a power-adjustable driver's seat, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and a charge-only USB port.

The Laramie builds off the Big Horn/Lone Star and adds a standard 6.4-liter V8, alloy wheels for dual rear-wheel models, more chrome trim (including the bumpers), projector headlights, LED taillights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, and a six-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar adjustment. This trim also brings heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded driver information display, a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, HD radio, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Laramie Longhorn adds to the Laramie's substantial features list by including a chrome mesh grille, color-keyed bumpers, running boards, a spray-in bedliner, LED bed lights, remote ignition, a full center console, upgraded floor mats, upgraded leather upholstery, wood interior and steering wheel trim, power-adjustable pedals with memory settings, front bucket seats and a navigation system.

The Limited trim adds monotone paint, 20-inch wheels, additional chrome exterior trim, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, keyless entry and special black leather upholstery.
This choice also brings the RamBox cargo management system, which includes bedside storage compartments, an adjustable bed divider and tie-downs.

Many upper-trim features are available on lower trim levels as options. Other option highlights include a load-leveling suspension, tow mirrors, a cargo-view camera, fifth-wheel trailer preparation, off-road tires, a CD player and a sunroof.

Which 3500 trim does Edmunds recommend?

With the Ram 3500's nearly limitless number of options and diversity of its buyers, it's difficult to recommend a single trim. The Tradesman is a modestly equipped work truck for those who want to keep purchasing costs low, while the top-trim Limited impresses with a luxuriously equipped cabin. If you want a nice balance between price and creature comforts, the Big Horn, which is sold as the Lone Star in Texas, is the way to go. It's not much more expensive than the SLT, and its added features are worth the extra cost.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Lansing, MI
Vehicle
3500 Tradesman
3500 SLT
Vehicle
Tradesman
5.7L 8cyl 6A
See all 3500 Tradesman for sale
2 for sale near you
SLT
5.7L 8cyl 6A
See all 3500 SLT for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Bluetooth
optional
standard
Navigation
Not Available
optional
Satellite radio
Not Available
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
Not Available
Cruise control
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not available
Not available
Parking assistance
optional
optional
Upholstery
vinyl
cloth
Heated seats
Not Available
Not Available
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
Folding rear seats
Not Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Country of final assembly
Mexico
Mexico
Drivetrain
rear wheel drive
rear wheel drive
Engine power
383 hp @ 5,600 rpm
383 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Engine torque
400 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
400 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Engine displacement
5.7 l
5.7 l
Engine configuration
v8
v8
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
275/70R18
275/70R18
Wheel size
18 X 8.0-in
18 X 8.0-in
Wheel type
steel wheels
steel wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
32.0 gal.
32.0 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
45.1 ft.
45.1 ft.
Curb weight
Ground Clearance
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
78.9 in.
78.9 in.
Height
76.9 in.
76.9 in.
Length
230.4 in.
230.4 in.
Bed Length
8'2”
8'2”
Wheelbase
140.0 in.
140.0 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
Cargo Space, Rear Seat Down or Removed
Front Head Room
39.9 in.
39.9 in.
Front Leg Room
41.0 in.
41.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room
66.0 in.
66.0 in.
Rear Head Room
Rear Leg Room
Rear Shoulder Room
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
Not Available
Not Available
Average Cost Per Mile
Not Available
Not Available
Depreciation
Not Available
Not Available
Financing
Not Available
Not Available
Taxes & Fees
Not Available
Not Available
Fuel
Not Available
Not Available
Insurance
Not Available
Not Available
Maintenance
Not Available
Not Available
Repairs
Not Available
Not Available
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black/Diesel Gray, cloth
Black/Diesel Gray, vinyl
Black/Diesel Gray (Fleet), vinyl
Black/Diesel Gray, premium cloth
Black/Diesel Gray, cloth
Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige, cloth
Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige, premium cloth
Exterior
RV Match Walnut Brown Metallic Clear Coat
Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat
Low Vol Timberline Green Pearl Coat
Low Vol Tree Green
New Holland Blue
Low Vol Yellow
True Blue Pearl Coat
Flame Red Clear Coat
Low Vol Power Tan
Low Vol School Bus Yellow
Low Vol Omaha Orange
Low Vol Robin Egg Blue
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
Bright White Clear Coat
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue Streak Pearl Coat
Low Vol Bright Red
Low Vol Bright Green
Black Forest Green Pearl Coat
Low Vol Detonator Yellow Clear Coat
Low Vol Black Clear Coat
Low Vol Hills Green
Low Vol National Safety Yellow
Low Vol Light Green
Low Vol Midnight Blue Pearl Coat
Low Vol Light Cream
Low Vol Construction Yellow
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat
Delmonico Red Pearl Coat
Case IH Red
RV Match Walnut Brown Metallic Clear Coat
Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat
Low Vol Timberline Green Pearl Coat
Low Vol Tree Green
New Holland Blue
Low Vol Yellow
True Blue Pearl Coat
Flame Red Clear Coat
Low Vol Power Tan
Low Vol School Bus Yellow
Low Vol Omaha Orange
Low Vol Robin Egg Blue
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
Bright White Clear Coat
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue Streak Pearl Coat
Low Vol Bright Red
Low Vol Bright Green
Black Forest Green Pearl Coat
Low Vol Detonator Yellow Clear Coat
Low Vol Black Clear Coat
Low Vol Hills Green
Low Vol National Safety Yellow
Low Vol Light Green
Low Vol Midnight Blue Pearl Coat
Low Vol Light Cream
Low Vol Construction Yellow
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat
Delmonico Red Pearl Coat
Case IH Red