What's The Difference Between Ram Tradesman Vs. Big Horn Vs. Laramie

Choose your next pickup from the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie trims, and you're guaranteed the perfect balance of comfort and capability for your needs. The 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman leads off the lineup, but with an 11,550-pound maximum of towing1 on board and an HFE variant, it's anything but entry-level.
The Big Horn is the 1500 family's third trim, after the Tradesman and Tradesman HFE, showcasing powerful engine specs and advanced cabin technology. You'll find the Laramie trim anchoring the very center of the Ram 1500 lineup – it's a fan and expert favorite thanks to its leather upholstery options and large center touchscreen with integrated navigation.
The Ram 1500 was crowned one of Car and Driver's "10Best Trucks" for seven consecutive years,2 and the pickup's 2025 updates have earned it the #1 spot on that list.2 Buy or lease your Tradesman, Big Horn, or Laramie variant at McGee CDJR to take control of truck and trailering excellence today.
2025 Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie at a Glance
Ram engineers delivered a massive refresh for 2025, giving drivers a host of new technology and styling features, plus a brand-new Tungsten trim level.
- Tradesman: Seating for six, 11,550-pound maximum towing capacity,1 two engine options, 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains, Crew or Quad Cab configurations
- Tradesman HFE: Seating for five, 6,720-pound maximum towing capacity,1 4x2 drivetrain, Quad Cab design
- Big Horn: Seating for five or six, 11,550-pound maximum towing capacity,1 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains, Crew or Quad Cab configurations
- Laramie: Seating for five or six, 11,400-pound maximum towing capacity,1 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains, Crew Cab design

2024 Ram 1500 Tradesman
- MSRP: Starting at $40,2753
- Drivetrain: 4x2 or 4x4
Choose a new Ram 1500 Tradesman, and powerful value will define your ride. In this model, these key standard features and more can be yours:
- LED headlights and taillights
- Distance-Pacing Cruise Control with Traffic Stop-Go
- Voice-activated audio controls
- 6-speaker audio system with speed-sensitive volume
- Uconnect wireless phone connectivity with Bluetooth®

2024 Ram 1500 Tradesman HFE
- MSRP: Starting at $41,0603
- Drivetrain: 4x2
Move up to this second trim level, and you'll gain most of the Ram 1500 Tradesman standard features, plus:
- Quad-cab only design
- Remote-activated perimeter lights
- Pickup cargo box light
- Remote Start
- Blind-Spot Detection Warning

2024 Ram 1500 Big Horn
- MSRP: Starting at $45,2303
- Drivetrain: 4x2 or 4x4
The Big Horn trim enters the lineup with the perfect blend of value and luxury, including elevated features like these:
- Illuminated front beverage holders
- Rear armrest
- 60/40 rear split bench
- Available 12-way / 1-way trailer connector
- Voice-activated audio controls

2024 Ram 1500 Laramie
- MSRP: Starting at $60,0303
- Drivetrain: 4x2 or 4x4
- Automatic Dual-Zone Front Air Conditioning
- Power front seat recline, cushion tilt, and lumbar support
- 60/40 rear split bench
- Leather steering wheel
- 10-speaker performance audio system
Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie: Specs & Performance
If a cushioned ride is high on your wish list, the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie all hit it out of the park. These fan-favorite trims in our new Ram inventory are equipped with standard front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, giving you the premium ride quality you deserve, even on long-haul trips.
You'll also find a range of engine options sprinkled throughout the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie trims, but all are crafted with an aluminum deep-skirt block to significantly reduce the weight of your truck, improve acceleration, and bolster handling.
3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 eTorque
Standard in the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, and Big Horn, this 60-degree, liquid-cooled gas engine pairs with a 48-volt hybrid battery and a 9-kW belt-starter generator to churn out 305 horsepower, 269 pound-feet of torque, and 90 pound-feet of launch torque.
3.0-liter Straight-Six Hurricane Twin-Turbo
Standard on the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman Crew Cab models with the 6-foot-4-inch bed and the Laramie variants, this inline six-cylinder powerhouse uses hydroformed tubular camshafts for optimized valve timing and a higher strength-to-weight ratio. The 3.0-liter Hurricane standard-output twin-turbo direct-injection engine carries more than enough power to get the job done right, generating 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque without breaking a sweat.
This engine also generates the highest Ram truck towing capacity at up to 11,550 pounds.1
3.0-liter Straight-Six High-Output Twin-Turbo
Looking for even more robust engine output? Even though the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie trims don't feature this high-output powertrain, you can take a stroll through all Ram 1500 trims to find other high-torque variants that are fitted with the most powerful engine in the 1500 family. It creates 540 horsepower alongside 521 pound-feet of torque using Premium 91 octane fuel.
Compare Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie Specs
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2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman | 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman HFE | 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn | 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Engines |
| 3.6L Pentastar V-6 eTorque | 3.6L Pentastar V-6 eTorque | 3.0L Hurricane I-6 twin-turbo |
Available Engines | 3.0L Hurricane I-6 twin-turbo | N/A | 3.0L Hurricane I-6 twin-turbo | N/A |
Drivetrain | 4x2 or 4x4 | 4x2 | 4x2 or 4x4 | 4x2 or 4x4 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
| 305 |
| 420 |
Torque |
| 269 lb-ft |
| 469 lb-ft |
Fuel Tank Sizes | 23 / 26 / 33 gal | 23 gal | 23 / 26 / 33 gal | 26 / 33 gal |
Max. Towing Capacity |
| 6,720 lbs1 | 11,550 lbs1 | 11,400 lbs1 |
Max Payload |
| 1,820 lbs3 |
| 1,670 lbs3 |
Trailering Features |
|
|
|
|
Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie: Cab & Box Capacities
Every Ram 1500 cab and box setup is thoughtfully designed and ready for work, so your decision will boil down to your daily activities. If you primarily need a truck that can haul heavy equipment in its bed, the entry-level Tradesman and its 2,370-pound3 maximum payload are likely your best bet. Do you see yourself towing often? The Big Horn trim is a trailering dream with its Class 4 receiver hitch and available 12-way/one-way trailer connector.
The Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn models are the most similar in cab and box configurations, giving drivers a choice of Crew Cab 6-foot-4-inch bed, Crew Cab 5-foot-7-inch bed, or Quad Cab 6-foot 4-inch bed combinations. The 2025 Laramie trim comes in two Crew Cab styles, and the new Tradesman HFE is Quad Cab only. Are you curious about how the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie cabs and boxes stack up against the other Ram 1500 models? Compare all Ram 1500 trims online now!
Compare Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie Dimensions
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2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman | 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman HFE | 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn | 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cab & Box Combos |
| Quad Cab 6-ft-4-in box |
|
|
Overall Length |
| 228.9 in |
|
|
Overall Width | 81.2 in | 82.1 in | 82.1 in | 82.1 in |
Overall Height | 77.4-77.6 in | 77.6 in | 77.4-77.6 in | 77.5 in |
Passenger Seating | 6 | 5 | 5 or 6 | 5 or 6 |
Box Cargo Volume |
| 61.5 cu ft |
|
|
Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie: Features & Technology
If you peruse the specs and dimensions charts above, you'll see there aren't massive differences between the Ram 1500 Tradesman vs. Laramie: Both offer 4x2 or 4x4 capability, can be fitted with a Hurricane engine, and tow well above 11,000 pounds when properly equipped. The most distinguishing differences between the Ram Tradesman vs. Laramie are cabin amenities.
The entry-level 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman and subsequent Tradesman HFE trims come with heavy-duty vinyl upholstery or cloth. An 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen graces the center dash and gives you voice command, hands-free calling, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. However, choosing the Laramie variant opens up leather upholstery options and swaps the 8.4-inch touchscreen for a 12-inch display with navigation.
The Big Horn trim, situated between the Tradesman and Laramie models, offers mid-level cabin comforts like deluxe cloth seating and an 8.4-inch touchscreen, but add the options to upgrade to the available nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and the available 12-inch display, and you've got a truck that's ready to travel.
Tour & Compare the Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie at McGee CDJR
There's only so much you can learn from an online Ram Tradesman vs. Big Horn vs. Laramie review – the true test happens in person when you can feel the rich leather seating of the Laramie trim or rev the Hurricane engine of the Tradesman. You can even learn about all Ram 2500 trim options, the next model in the Ram truck series, to see if you can benefit from their higher towing and payload capacities.
Visit McGee CDJR today for a guided tour of these popular models or to compare our entire inventory of well-equipped Ram 1500 vs. 2500 vs. 3500 trucks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Big Horn better than the Laramie?
The Ram 1500 Big Horn is more affordable than the Ram 1500 Laramie but lacks several key standard features of its higher-priced alternative. For example, choosing the Laramie over the Big Horn will reward you with a larger 12-inch infotainment display with navigation instead of the 8.4-inch standard option, heated and ventilated front seats, a remote engine start system, and more.
Is Big Horn better than Tradesman?
The new Ram 1500 Big Horn is a powerful trim option that offers similar towing strength to the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman but with additional standard features and style upgrades to enjoy. For example, the Big Horn adds bright chrome bumpers, front seat-back pockets, and upgrade opportunities like an available 12-inch touchscreen, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 10-way power driver's seat.
What is a Ram Tradesman package?
The Ram Tradesman, which is the entry-level Ram 1500 trim, can be built with your choice of seven add-on packages:
- Towing Technology
- Bed Utility
- Chrome Appearance
- Sport Appearance
- Tradesman Level 1 Equipment
- Night Edition
- Trailer-Tow
Every package is available at a reasonable cost and elevates your Tradesman trim even further. Discuss package options with the McGee CDJR team today!
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Continue Your Ram Research
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1When properly equipped. See dealer for details.
2Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/1500
3MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
4When properly equipped. Max payload ratings shown for base configuration. Additional options, equipment, passengers, and cargo weight may affect payload weights. Contact dealer for details.