Vans are extremely versatile vehicles. They can be used for work, long road trips, transporting large objects, and lots of cargo. But despite their versatility, many drivers choose to convert their vans into motorhomes.
Whatever you are using it for, you want to choose a van that is suitable for your lifestyle. For instance, do you live in a cold climate? Or want to explore and drive off-road? If you answered yes, a 4X4 is your best option.
In this article we answer the question, does the Ram Promaster have 4X4 or all-wheel drive? We also take a closer look at the Promaster and share which Vans have AWD in 2022.
The Ram Promaster is front-wheel drive only. The 2022 model, like its predecessors, does not have AWD (all-wheel drive) available in the standard models or as an added option. However, the Ram Promaster is one of the best cargo vans available on the market today.
The front-wheel-drive configuration means the Promaster has a low and flat load floor, creating a more spacious area to transport large loads of cargo.
There are not many vans with all-wheel drive, but the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit are two popular options if this is a deal-breaker for you.
The Ram Promaster is a large van that is available in several different sizes. Depending on your needs, you may choose the cargo van, crew van, chassis cab, cutaway, or window van.
Promaster vans are known for their large cargo-hauling capabilities and for being one of the more affordable large vans on the market. Promaster vans are also a popular choice for people wanting to create their own DIY motorhome.
The Ram Promaster is becoming increasingly popular due to its customization options. The van is built on the Ram 3500, 2500, or 1500 chassis and is available in 3 different size wheelbases: 158.9 inches, 135.8 inches, and 118 inches.
The Promaster vans also provide competitive space when it comes to headroom, there are 2 factory roof options – 7ft5inch and 8ft3inch. The Promaster is also available in four different body lengths, you can really customize this van to meet your specific needs!
The body lengths available include 195 inches, 213 inches, 236 inches, and 250 inches.
Between the years 2014 to 2016, the Ram Promaster was fitted with a 3.0L EcoDiesel 4-cylinder motor. However, this was replaced with a single motor, 3.6L Pentastar gasoline engine.
The engine has 280 horsepower, a 6-speed automatic transmission from Chrysler, and the engine has 260 ft. lb. torque. This engine is found in all Promaster vans, in all their different configurations and this has been a disappointment to many fans of the diesel engine.
The Promaster Van is front-wheel drive only. If you are looking for a 4×4 van, the Promaster is not the van for you. However, the front-wheel-drive configuration does allow for a flat and low floor surface, enabling drivers to store and transport even more cargo.
You may be saddened that the Promaster van is not all-wheel drive and it may be a big enough reason to not even consider purchasing this van.
However, there are several advantages to the Ram Promaster and if 4X4 capabilities are not a necessity, the Promaster is an excellent cargo van that you can customize to your perfect size.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the most recent model, the Ram Promaster 2022.
Depending on your needs, the Ram Promaster may be a perfect choice or it may be lacking in important areas. It is always worth thoroughly researching a vehicle before buying and discussing your expectations and needs with the dealership.
The Ram Promaster 2022 has several new features and the new 9-speed transmission has been installed to improve engine performance and fuel economy.
As we have established, the Ram Promaster is not a 4×4 and all-wheel drive is not available in any of the models or trims. The front-wheel-drive configuration has its benefits, but sometimes an AWD van is essential.
If you are looking for a van with AWD or four-wheel drive, the Promaster may be out of the equation but you will be pleased to hear that there are options available out there. Here are two of the most popular all-wheel-drive vans available on the market in 2022:
When you hear Mercedes-Benz you think luxury, right? The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lives up to the company’s high standards and reputation. This van has a huge cargo capacity and has an impressive 600 cubic feet of loadspace!
You can also expect several high-end features in a Sprinter and the 2022 version has over 1000 different variations.
Need an all-wheel-drive van? The Sprinter has an advanced all-wheel-drive system, you can drive off-road and in adverse weather conditions while keeping good traction on the road.
The 2022 model also comes in front-wheel and rear-wheel drive, as well as the all-wheel-drive option. If you are looking for a versatile large van, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is definitely worth your consideration.
Another popular large van is the Ford Transit. The Ford Transit van has been around since the 1960s and is known as being a reliable van for both work and life. Ford Transit vans are enabled with AWD, making them a great choice if you plan to be driving on different terrains or on cold and icy roads.
Ford Transit vans have an intelligent AWD system but it is important to note that the smaller Ford Transit connect does not have all-wheel drive capabilities and the 2022 model is only available in rear-wheel drive.
The Ford Transit van has a load space of over 500 cubic feet and is also capable of towing loads over 4000 pounds.
So, you want a Ram Promaster but are worried about not having a 4-wheel drive? There are many advantages to a van with all-wheel drive or 4×4 capabilities, but they are only really worth it in certain driving conditions.
Before we take a look at the pros and cons of 4-wheel drive, let’s first discuss the difference between an all-wheel and a four-wheel drive.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive are fitted with an advanced system that is always activated. The AWD system works by constantly monitoring and responding to the conditions of the road.
A vehicle with AWD will be able to provide you with the safest journey possible as the system transfers power to the tires with the most traction when driving off-road or in icy conditions.
All four wheels do not always have equal traction, the AWD system is constantly on and adapting to the road conditions.
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is slightly different. In 4×4 mode, all four wheels will turn simultaneously and have equal traction on the road. Often, you will need to activate the 4-wheel drive on a vehicle, it is not constantly running like in an all-wheel-drive van.
Four-wheel drive works well when driving on rocky and uneven terrain or in wet, snowy, and icy conditions. Unlike all-wheel drive, when in 4X4 mode your vehicle will not adapt the power and traction in each tire individually, all wheels will perform the same.
All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles are similar in that they offer better traction and control than the front or rear-wheel drive vans, cars, or pickup trucks. As with all vehicle features, all-wheel and four-wheel drive have various pros and cons, let’s take a closer look:
The Ram Promaster is not enabled with all-wheel or four-wheel drive, but unless you plan to be driving in snow or off-road, 4WD and AWD are not going to make that much difference to your driving experience.
The Ram Promaster is front-wheel drive only. The drivetrain is purposefully positioned to add extra weight to the front of the wheel, this increases the traction of the front wheels on the road.
It is not currently possible to purchase a Promaster with four-wheel or all-wheel drive but some drivers have reported off-road driving success by altering the tire pressure to 35 psi.
If you want a van with all-wheel drive capabilities, the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, VW Crafter, and VW Transporter are all popular options.
There is no way to currently convert a Ram Promaster to 4-four wheel drive. However, more traction can be gained for off-road driving by adding weight to the front of the car, some drivers choose to place sandbags into the cargo loading area near the front of the van.
You can also try changing the pressure in the tires to 35 psi to see if this creates more control in unconventional driving conditions. The Ram Promaster is currently only available in front-wheel-drive but who knows what may happen in the future.
The Ram Promaster should last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. However, it is not unknown for well-maintained Promasters to last for as long as 300,000 miles, assuming they have been driven carefully over the years and all service work and repairs have been kept up to date.
Assuming you drive your van approximately 15,000 miles a year, it should last between 13 and 17 years.
The Ram Promaster is not available in all-wheel drive. These vans have a single drivetrain in the front and operate using front-wheel drive only. Even the latest 2022 model does not have four-wheel or all-wheel drive options available in any of the configurations.
However, the unique Ram front-wheel drive does provide excellent traction and the Ram can be driven in adverse weather conditions, as long as there is not too much snow or ice on the road.
The Ram Promaster and Ford Transit are both popular and reliable large-size vans. Deciding which is better will depend on your specific needs. For example, the Ford Transit has AWD capabilities and can tow loads weighing up to 7,500 pounds and hauls cargo with a maximum weight of 4,560 pounds.
In comparison, the Ram Promaster is only available in front-wheel drive and can haul more weight – up to 5,160 pounds – but its towing capacity is only 5,100 pounds.
The Ram Promaster is a versatile large van that comes in many configurations. Unfortunately, it does not matter if you have the cargo, crew, cab chassis, window, or cutaway version, there is no option to have four-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Currently, all Ram Promaster vans are only available in front-wheel drive. However, the front-wheel drive in the Ram Promaster, including the 2022 model, still provides drivers with excellent wheel traction.
And without the height differentiation between the front and rear of the vehicle, there is a low flat area for transporting large volumes of cargo.
If you are thinking of buying a Ram Promaster to convert into a motorhome, despite its lack of 4WD, it is a popular option. The Promaster is popular for people looking to convert their van into a camper because it is one of the widest available on the market.
You can sleep sideways in a Promaster as there is plenty of space and with various length and height configurations available, it is possible to convert a Promaster into a spacious motorhome.
For some drivers, four-wheel drive is an absolute non-negotiable feature. If you need to have all-wheel or four-wheel drive as you intend to drive off-road regularly or you live somewhere where it snows often, there are large vans out there that provide this option.
Popular all-wheel-drive vans include the Ford Transit, Volkswagon Crafter and Transporter, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
