2014 RAM C/V Tradesman

2014 Ram Cargo Van Tradesman — Black on Black/Tan, V6 Automatic, Priced to Work


Why This Car Is Special

The 2014 Ram Cargo Van occupies an interesting corner of the minivan-based commercial vehicle market. Built on the same RT platform as the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the Ram Cargo Van stripped out the rear seating and passenger amenities to create a purpose-built hauler that rides and drives like a car but works like a panel van. That platform — front-wheel drive, fully independent suspension front and rear — gave the Ram Cargo Van a significant handling and maneuverability advantage over the traditional body-on-frame full-size vans it competed against. You could park it in a standard space, fit it in a parking garage, and still load it with tools, equipment, or product through dual sliding side doors and a rear liftgate.

Ram introduced this cargo-specific variant in 2013, and it was sold alongside the passenger-oriented Grand Caravan Cargo. The idea was straightforward: deliver the load capacity and access points of a commercial van with the fuel economy and driving dynamics of a minivan. For small business owners, contractors, delivery operators, and tradespeople who didn't need a full Transit or Express-sized van, it made a compelling case. The 2014 model year represented a mature version of that formula, with a refined powertrain and a feature set that made long days behind the wheel more manageable than a bare-bones work truck.

This particular 2014 Ram Cargo Van is finished in black with a black and tan cloth interior, rides on alloy wheels, and is powered by Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission — a combination that was widely regarded as one of the better powertrain packages in the segment during this era.


Features List

- 3.6L Pentastar VVT V6 Engine
- 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Air Conditioning
- Cruise Control
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Power Door Locks
- Tachometer
- Dual Sliding Side Doors
- Rear Backup Camera
- Tinted Windows
- Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Interior, Black/Tan
- Black Exterior


Mechanical

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is the right engine for this application. Chrysler introduced the Pentastar in 2011, and by 2014 it had already become one of the highest-volume V6 engines in North America, used across Ram trucks, Jeep SUVs, and Chrysler minivans. In this configuration with variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts, it produced 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. More relevant for daily use is how it delivers that power — the VVT system keeps the torque curve broad, so the engine doesn't feel strained when the cargo area is loaded. The six-speed automatic that backs it up was well-sorted by 2014, with smooth, predictable shifts and a gear spread well-suited to highway driving.

The Ram Cargo Van uses a front-wheel-drive layout with a fully independent rear suspension — a setup borrowed directly from the minivan platform. That translates to a more comfortable, car-like ride than a body-on-frame van, which matters when you're putting in 40,000 miles a year on mixed roads. Cruise control is included, which adds to the long-haul usability. The rear backup camera is a practical addition that makes maneuvering in tight loading areas and parking lots significantly easier, especially given that the rear cargo area blocks all rearward sightlines from the driver's seat.


Interior

The interior follows a straightforward commercial philosophy — the front seat area is equipped with the driver in mind, and the rear is left open as a clean cargo space. Up front, the black and tan cloth seating is clean and functional. The two-tone color split between black and tan breaks up what could otherwise be a very flat, utilitarian cabin. Power windows and locks are standard, and the tachometer gives you a reference point for fuel-efficient driving, which matters when this van is running delivery routes or job