It may be mostly a name game, but Chrysler simplified things a bit and cut straight to the chase with its decision to rebrand its heavy duty line of pickups as Rams, dropping Dodge from the label. You can mess around with the nomenclature, but the bottom line is a Ram is still a Ram: rugged and tough and ready to take on big-time towing, hauling and chores and at the same time letting folks on the inside go about their business in style and comfort.

The 2011 Ram 2500 carries on the tradition of the line’s heavy-duty pickups. The 2500 went through some updating in the last couple of years to bring its interior more in line with some of the traits of the Dodge Ram 1500, and reviewers have been impressed by the changes. Still, this clearly is no lightweight rig.

It comes in ST, SLT, Power Wagon and Laramie trims, and a new addition is the Outdoorsman, designed for boaters and campers as well as with hunters and fishermen. The trims can be set up with different cabs and powertrains and are delivered with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a five-speed automatic transmission comes standard in the 2011 Ram 2500, and a manual transmission is not available with that engine. It has 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. A 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel is available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission in a version that offers 350 hp with 650 lb-ft of torque.

Set up with the 5.7-liter Hemi and RWD, the 2011 Ram 2500 gets 14 mpg in the city/20 highway. Switching to 4WD, those numbers slip to 13/19. Fuel estimates are not available for the 6.7-liter Cummins.

The 2011 Ram 2500 can tow up to 15,450 pounds when powered by the Cummins engine with the six-speed automatic and when properly equipped. That unit has a maximum payload of 2,580 pounds. Most trims, when powered by the 5.7-liter Hemi, are rated for towing at 12,300 pounds and have a payload of 3,120 pounds.

An integrated trailer brake controller comes standard on all but the base ST trim, and it is available as an option on that version, too. The trailer brake controller allows the driver to activate trailer brakes for greater stopping power on downhill grades.

Regular, Crew and Mega are the cab options in the 2011 Ram 2500. The base ST has 17-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, vinyl upholstery and a sound system that includes CD/MP3 with options including power heated mirrors. Overall, reviewers report that the craftsmanship and quality of materials in the Ram have improved in recent years, along with the comfort level of the seats and the interior in general.

The Ram SLT gets power heated mirrors, cloth upholstery, cruise control and Sirius radio with bucket seats and console, power seats, moonroof, navigation system and back-up camera among its options. The 2011 Ram 2500 Laramie has standard 17-inch polished alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, four additional speakers and power adjustable front seats. The Power Wagon is tough and ready with an off-road suspension and front-mounted winch and other features for Ram fans who long to get off-road.

The 2011 Ram 2500 comes with antilock disc brakes and front and side curtain airbags. The trailer brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit and adds to the vehicle’s safety as well.