By Erik Schneeg, Sales — Weekley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Butler, Ohio
With Matt Weekley, Owner
If you are shopping for a new Ram truck around Butler, Mansfield, or anywhere across Richland County and Knox County, you have probably got a real question in mind: which one actually fits what I need? Not what looks good in a brochure. Not what the internet says is the “best” truck. What fits your work, your driveway, your trailer, your daily drive.
Erik Schneeg has been helping people answer that question at Weekley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for 29 years. He does not sell you the most expensive truck on the lot. He matches you to the right configuration — and if the right truck is not on the lot, he walks you through a factory order so you get exactly what you need. No surprises on delivery day.
The Ram 1500 is the half-ton truck that most people think of first — and for good reason. It handles the daily commute to Mansfield, the weekend runs to the hardware store in Ashland, and the occasional trailer pull without breaking a sweat. But it is also evolved well beyond “just a half-ton.” The current generation offers features and capability that would have been considered premium just a few years ago.
Engine options: The Ram 1500 is available with the new Hurricane inline-6 twin-turbo engine, which replaces the HEMI V8 in current production. The Hurricane produces impressive horsepower and torque while delivering better fuel economy than the outgoing V8. If you are coming from a HEMI and are skeptical about a six-cylinder, come drive one. Erik will set up a test drive so you can feel the difference yourself. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 remains available on lower trims as the value-oriented option, and the eTorque mild-hybrid system adds efficiency on certain configurations.
Trim walk: The Tradesman is the work truck — vinyl or cloth seats, basic connectivity, built for people who need a truck bed more than a leather interior. The Big Horn (called Lone Star in some markets) adds popular features like upgraded interior, larger touchscreen, and alloy wheels — it is the sweet spot for most buyers. The Laramie brings leather, advanced safety tech, and premium audio. Above that, the Limited Longhorn and Limited trims are luxury trucks with full premium interiors, advanced air suspension, and every available feature. Every trim has a purpose. The question is which one matches yours.
Towing and payload: Towing and payload capacities vary by configuration — engine, cab, bed length, axle ratio, and trim all affect the final number. We will not quote you a maximum tow rating and pretend every Ram 1500 can pull that number. What we will do is match your specific towing need to the right configuration and show you the window sticker with the actual rating for that vehicle. That is the honest way to do it.
If you are pulling a gooseneck trailer, hauling a slide-in camper, or working construction around Knox County and the weight adds up fast, the Ram 2500 is where you start looking at heavy duty. The 2500 is the truck for people who have outgrown their half-ton — not because the 1500 is a bad truck, but because the work demands more.
Cummins diesel: The 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel is the reason a lot of people step up to the 2500. It produces massive torque for heavy towing, and the Cummins has a reputation for longevity that is well-earned. If you are putting serious miles on a trailer between Butler and job sites across northern Ohio, the diesel pays for itself in confidence and capability. If you are not towing heavy regularly, the 6.4L HEMI V8 is a strong gas option that saves significant upfront cost.
Ride and daily use: The 2500 rides stiffer than the 1500 — that is the nature of a heavy-duty suspension. But the coil-spring rear suspension on the Ram 2500 is noticeably more compliant than the leaf springs on some competitors. If you are using this as a daily driver and a work truck, that matters.
The Ram 3500 is for the buyer who needs the maximum tow rating and payload the Ram lineup offers. Dually configuration is available for the heaviest loads. The High Output Cummins diesel is the top-tier powertrain for extreme towing needs. This is not a commuter truck — it is a purpose-built machine for ranchers, heavy equipment operators, and anyone pulling a fifth-wheel or gooseneck that pushes the limits.
If you are even considering a 3500, you probably already know what you need it for. But if you are on the fence between a 2500 and a 3500, come talk to Erik. He will walk through your actual use case — not a hypothetical one — and help you make the call based on real numbers, not ego.
Ready to find the right Ram for your work?
Not every truck on the lot is going to match exactly what you need. That is not a problem — it is why factory ordering exists. At Weekley CDJR, Erik Schneeg can walk you through the entire build process: choose your model, cab configuration, bed length, engine, trim, color, and every option. You get the truck built to your specifications, and you know the price before you commit.
Factory order timelines vary depending on the model and configuration. We will give you an honest estimate when you place the order — not an optimistic guess, but a real timeline based on what the factory is actually producing. And we stay on top of the order status so you are not left wondering where your truck is.
This is one of the most common questions we get from buyers around Mount Vernon, Loudonville, and the surrounding area. The answer is not “diesel is always better” or “gas is always smarter.” It depends on how you use the truck.
Go diesel if: you tow heavy regularly (over 10,000 pounds), you put high annual mileage on the truck, or you plan to keep the vehicle for 200,000+ miles. The Cummins is built for longevity under load. The upfront cost is higher, but the total cost of ownership can be lower over a long service life with heavy use.
Go gas if: you tow occasionally, your daily driving is a mix of short trips and highway, or the diesel premium does not pencil out for your use case. The 6.4L HEMI in the 2500 is a strong, reliable engine that handles moderate towing without the diesel price tag. The Hurricane inline-6 in the 1500 gives you turbocharged power with gas-engine simplicity.
Come drive both. Erik will set it up. That is the only way to know for sure.
Before you fall in love with a truck, know what you can realistically work with. That starts with two things: getting pre-approved and knowing your trade-in value.
Our online pre-approval takes minutes. Financing subject to credit approval — not all buyers qualify, and we will not pretend otherwise. But knowing where you stand before you walk onto the lot means you can shop with confidence instead of guessing.
Same with your trade. Use our online trade-in tool to get an estimate, then bring it in for a hands-on appraisal. We give you a straight number — not an inflated value that disappears when you sit down to sign. That is not how we operate.
Know your numbers before you shop.
The Ram 1500 is a half-ton truck designed for daily driving, light towing, and general utility. The Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty truck for heavier trailers and payloads. The Ram 3500 is the maximum-duty option, available in dually configuration, for the heaviest towing and hauling needs. Towing and payload capacities vary significantly by configuration — engine, cab, bed length, axle ratio, and trim all affect the final numbers.
Yes. At Weekley CDJR, Erik Schneeg can walk you through the factory order process so your Ram is built to your exact specifications — trim, engine, color, options, everything. You will know the price before you commit, and we provide honest timeline estimates based on actual factory production schedules.
It depends on how you use the truck. If you tow heavy regularly (over 10,000 pounds) and put high annual mileage on the truck, the Cummins diesel can offer lower total cost of ownership over a long service life. If you tow occasionally or use the truck as a daily driver with moderate loads, the gas engine saves significant upfront cost and handles most needs. The best way to decide is to drive both — we can set up test drives for each powertrain.
The Hurricane is a twin-turbo inline-6 engine that replaces the HEMI V8 in current Ram 1500 production. It produces comparable or greater horsepower and torque than the outgoing V8 while delivering improved fuel economy. If you are used to a V8 and are skeptical about a six-cylinder, we encourage you to schedule a test drive — the Hurricane’s power delivery surprises most drivers who grew up on naturally aspirated V8s.
Yes. We accept trade-ins on all makes and models, not just Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Use our online trade valuation tool for an initial estimate, then bring your vehicle in for an in-person appraisal. We provide honest trade values — not inflated numbers that change at the negotiating table.
Towing and payload capacities vary by configuration. See window sticker and dealer for specific vehicle ratings. Inventory subject to prior sale. Use live inventory pages for current availability. Financing subject to credit approval. Not all buyers qualify. Price excludes tax, title, license, and dealer fees. See dealer for complete details. Weekley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 50 Main St, Butler, OH 44822.
While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors can occur. Please verify all pricing and installed equipment information with a customer service representative. This is easily done by calling us or visiting us at the dealership.
Customer may not qualify for ALL Rebates shown. Some rebates are stackable and others can and cannot be combined. See Dealer For Complete Details.
We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.
Save your favorite vehicles for later viewing on your desktop or mobile devices.
Keep track of all the vehicles you've viewed for a better car shopping experience.
Narrow your search by comparing your favorite vehicles.
