Ram Scores a Cheap Win Until 2017 Super Duty Arrives
2016 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Laramie Limited
Heavy duty pickup trucks are the way many businesses get work done in this country. In this segment, the primary purchasing decision focuses on two things; torque and towing capacity. The fight for supremacy has been heated between Ford and Ram Trucks, but as of 2016 the Ram has edged head. For now.
The latest F-450, when properly equipped, can tow 31,200 pounds with a Power Stroke diesel engine that makes 860 lb-ft of torque. If that sounds like a lot of torque, it is. If that sounds like huge towing capacity, it is. To be able to drive this truck fully loaded, you’d need a CDL.
For 2016, Ram upped the game by offering a Ram 3500 with a towing capacity of 31,210 pounds. Through improved fuel delivery and a litany of boost calibrations, torque is up to 900 lb-ft. That’s ummm, a lot.
Heavy duty trucks recently have been a game of one-upmanship. When Ford made an engine with 860 lb-ft of torque, Ram shot to 865 lb-ft. When Ram made a truck rated to tow 30,000 pounds, Ford made one that could tow 31,200.
While an extra 10 pounds of towing capacity over the Ford is hardly a decisive victory, it does allow the company additional bragging rights. However, we expect that the 2017 Super Duty will have more up its sleeve.
Our friends at PickupTrucks.com speculate that we could see that truck debut as early as the Texas State Fair.
What do you think? Let us know in the forums!
via [FCA, PickupTrucks.com]
