The short answer: most Hill Country drivers are happiest with a Lone Star for all-around value, a Laramie for comfort and heavy towing, a Rebel for rough ranch roads or a Limited Longhorn for Western-style luxury.
The Ram 1500 comes in more trims than ever, from a no-nonsense work truck to a 777-horsepower performance machine. That's great news if you want a truck built exactly for your life. It can also make shopping feel overwhelming.
Every Ram 1500 is a capable, comfortable full-size pickup. What changes from trim to trim is the engine, the comfort features and how much off-road gear you get. Here's a simple, honest guide to each one, plus our picks for the way people really work and drive around Kerrville.
Ram 1500 Trims at a Glance
The lineup runs from the work-ready Tradesman to the luxury Tungsten, with off-road and performance trucks in between. Here's what each trim does best.
| Trim | Best for | Standout features |
|---|---|---|
| Tradesman | Work trucks and fleets | LED headlights, choice of V6, Hurricane or HEMI® V8 |
| Express / Black Express | A sporty look for less | 20-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control; Black Express adds a sport hood and black wheels |
| Big Horn / Lone Star | Best all-around value | Two equipment groups to choose from; basis for the BackCountry off-road package |
| Warlock | Off-road attitude on a budget | Lowest-cost entry into Ram's off-road trims |
| Laramie | First step into luxury | 420-hp Hurricane standard, leather interior, rain-sensing wipers |
| Rebel | Rough roads and trails | 1-inch lift, Bilstein® shocks, locking rear differential, 33-inch all-terrain tires |
| RHO | High-speed desert running | 540-hp Hurricane High-Output, 360-degree camera |
| Limited / Limited Longhorn | Top-shelf comfort | 540-hp Hurricane standard, HEMI V8 at no extra cost; Longhorn adds Western-style luxury |
| Tungsten | The ultimate luxury truck | 24-way power front seats, 23-speaker Klipsch® audio |
| TRX SRT and Rumble Bee | Pure performance | Up to 777 hp from a supercharged HEMI V8 |
Features can vary by model year and package. Ask us for current pricing and offers.
Tradesman, Express and Warlock: The Value Picks
If you need a hard-working truck without paying for extras you won't use, start here. All three offer the same engine choices, including the HEMI V8.
- Tradesman: The work-focused base truck, built for job sites, ranches and fleets. Pair it with the Hurricane six-cylinder and it can tow up to 11,530 pounds when properly equipped.
- Express and Black Express: A sharper look at a value price, with 20-inch wheels and adaptive cruise control. The Black Express adds a sport hood, black badges and black wheels.
- Warlock: The most affordable way into Ram's off-road lineup, with a blacked-out look that stands out in any parking lot.
Handy for ranch work: trucks with the standard 3.6L V6 eTorque can add 2kW of onboard power with two 120-volt outlets in the bed. That's enough to run power tools or a pump out in the pasture.
Lone Star: The Texas Truck
The Lone Star is the Ram 1500 Big Horn with a Texas name, and you can only get it here. Under the badge, the two trucks are identical. For most of our customers, it's the sweet spot of the whole lineup.
You get a comfortable, well-equipped truck at a fair price, with room to add what matters to you:
- Level 1 and Level 2 Equipment Groups add comfort and tech, like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a bigger touchscreen.
- Passive entry joins the Level 2 group on 2027 Crew Cab models, so you can unlock without digging for your keys.
- The BackCountry package turns a Lone Star into an off-road-ready truck for caliche roads and rocky ranch trails.
- All three main engines are available, including the HEMI V8.
If you want one truck that can haul feed during the week and take the family to the river on Saturday, start with a Lone Star.
Rebel, RHO and TRX: The Off-Road Trucks
If your truck spends real time off the pavement, Ram has three serious off-roaders, each built for a different kind of rough.
Ram 1500 Rebel is the best fit for ranch roads, hunting leases and rocky trails. It comes standard with:
- A 1-inch suspension lift with Bilstein monotube shocks
- An electronic locking rear differential
- Underbody skid plates and front tow hooks
- 18-inch black wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires
The Rebel X package adds Rough Road Cruise Control for slow, steady crawling, plus heated and ventilated leather seats and a 14.5-inch touchscreen.
Ram 1500 RHO is built for speed on rough terrain. Its 540-horsepower Hurricane High-Output engine and desert-ready suspension make washboard roads feel smooth. A 360-degree camera and Hands-Free Active Drive Assist are standard.
Ram 1500 TRX SRT returns for 2027 as the top dog. It packs a supercharged 777-horsepower HEMI V8, 35-inch tires and 11.8 inches of ground clearance.
Laramie, Limited, Longhorn and Tungsten: The Luxury Trucks
Ram is known for having some of the nicest truck interiors on the road, and these four trims show why.
- Laramie: The first step into luxury, with a leather interior and the 420-horsepower Hurricane six-cylinder standard. For 2027 it adds standard rain-sensing wipers, and a 360-degree camera is available.
- Limited: Upscale materials, a standard 360-degree camera and the 540-horsepower Hurricane High-Output engine. You can choose the HEMI V8 instead at no extra cost.
- Limited Longhorn: Everything in the Limited with a Western-inspired design. It's a natural fit for the Hill Country.
- Tungsten: The top of the line, with 24-way power front seats and a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system.
On the higher trims, available tech includes a 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, a 10.25-inch passenger screen and a head-up display.
Tip for ranch owners: Limited and Longhorn buyers can now delete the RamBox storage bins for a full-width bed.
Engines: HEMI V8 or Hurricane?
If towing is your top priority, the standard-output Hurricane six-cylinder is the champ. If you want the sound and feel of a V8, the HEMI is back.
| Engine | Power | Max towing* | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar® V6 eTorque | 305 hp | Up to 8,100 lbs | Standard on Tradesman, Express, Lone Star and Warlock |
| 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo I6 | 420 hp, 469 lb-ft | Up to 11,530 lbs | Standard on Laramie and Rebel; available on value trims |
| 3.0L Hurricane High-Output I6 | 540 hp, 521 lb-ft | Up to 9,480 lbs | RHO, Limited, Longhorn and Tungsten |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 | 395 hp, 410 lb-ft | Up to 11,470 lbs | Available on most trims; no extra cost on Limited and Longhorn |
| 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 | 777 hp, 680 lb-ft | Not the towing pick | TRX SRT and Rumble Bee SRT |
*Best-case ratings when properly equipped. Cab, bed, axle ratio and drivetrain all affect the number, so ask us to match a truck to your trailer.
HEMI news for 2027: Ram is switching most 2027 HEMI trucks to a simpler, non-hybrid V8 without automatic engine stop-start, a change many longtime HEMI fans asked for.
Our Hill Country Picks: Match the Trim to Your Life
The right Ram depends on how you'll use it. Here's where we'd point most of our neighbors around Kerrville.
| If your week looks like… | Our pick | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Feed runs, fence repair and hauling hay | Tradesman or Lone Star | Tough, simple and easy to keep working, with bed power available |
| Pulling a bumper-pull horse trailer or travel trailer | Lone Star or Laramie with the Hurricane I6 | The strongest towing in the lineup, up to 11,530 lbs |
| Deer season and rough ranch roads | Rebel, or a Lone Star with the BackCountry package | Lift, skid plates and a locking rear differential |
| Commuting to San Antonio or Austin | Laramie | Quiet, comfortable cabin with plenty of power |
| Family trips to the Guadalupe on the weekend | Lone Star Crew Cab | Roomy back seat and great value |
| Church on Sunday, cattle on Monday | Limited Longhorn | Western-style luxury that still works hard |
| You just want the loudest V8 in town | TRX SRT or Rumble Bee | Up to 777 supercharged horsepower |
Need More Truck? Look at the Ram 2500 and 3500
If your trailer weighs more than about 11,000 pounds, or you tow with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch, step up to a Ram Heavy Duty.
The Ram 2500 and 3500 are built for big livestock trailers, heavy flatbeds and large fifth-wheel RVs. They're also where you'll find the legendary Cummins® turbo diesel. Our team can help you decide whether a 1500 or a Heavy Duty is the right fit for what you pull.
Why a 2026 Ram Might Be the Smart Buy Right Now
If you're deciding which model year to buy, the warranty on 2026 trucks could tip the scales.
- 2026 Ram trucks come with a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty for the original owner. Ram calls it America's best full-size truck powertrain warranty. It covers the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials and axles.
This coverage applies to 2026 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks. Ask us which 2026 trucks are still on our lot.
Applies to 2026 model-year Ram trucks bought new by the original owner. Non-transferable. Excludes fully electric vehicles. See Mopar.com or ask us for complete warranty details.
Find Your Ram at Crenwelge Motors in Kerrville
The easiest way to choose a trim is to drive a few back to back. Our team at Crenwelge Motors will help you compare trims and match a truck to your trailer, with honest answers and no pressure.
We're family-owned since 1927 and proudly serve Kerrville, Ingram, Center Point, Comfort, Junction, Harper and the whole Hill Country. After the sale, our certified service department keeps your Ram running strong with trained technicians and genuine Mopar® parts.
Crenwelge Motors
301 Main St., Kerrville, TX 78028
Sales: 830-896-4835
