Do you need an HD pickup to tow, haul, and hit off-road trails? The Big Three each make an HD pickup with a beefy off-road trim that’s right for the job. But how do you decide which one is for you? Let’s compare the Ford F-250 vs Chevy Silverado 2500 vs Ram 2500 in their off-road trims to find out.
Off-Road Performance
Right out of the gate, these trucks offer superior off-road ability. However, each one has a few drawbacks. The Ram 2500 HD has the smallest tires at only 33 inches. At the same time, it has the best breakover angle of 23.9 degrees with a high ground clearance of 13.1 inches. It also has a shorter wheelbase.
Meanwhile, the Chevy Silverado HD has the best approach angle at 32.5 degrees due to its high-clearance front end and lifted ride height. The Ford F-250 has 10.5 inches of ground clearance and a fairly low departure angle of 22.2 degrees. It’s plenty capable off-road but doesn’t quite have the easy clearance of the other two.
The Ford F-250 excels in other areas though. It’s the only HD pickup with a limited-slip front differential. The Chevy Silverado 2500 travels better on rough roads compared to the other two with its independent front suspension and Multimatic DSSV dampers.
Towing Power
The current class of HD pickups does a good job of combining towing performance with off-road prowess. The Ram 2500 HD features a Cummins 6.7-liter diesel that makes 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. Its 14,920-pound towing capacity and 1,540-pound payload capacity are the lowest of the three.
The Chevy Silverado 2500 can tow up to 18,500 pounds and haul up to 3,084 pounds with its 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine. However, it’s the Ford F-250 with its high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel that does the most. The Ford can tow up to 22,000 pounds and haul up to 3,102 pounds.
What about towing wild cards? The Ford F-250 offers the best passing performance and on-ramp acceleration. In ride comfort, the Silverado does better with its independent front suspension. All three trucks have a variety of tow technology and trailering assist features to make towing easier.
Getting the Right Truck
If you can find the Ford F-250 Tremor, the Ram 2500 Rebel, or the Chevy Silverado 2500 ZR2 on a lot and want the ultimate performance in every area, this is the way to go. Otherwise, all three trucks have a large range of trims and packages that can make picking one out confusing.
In terms of which one is right for the job, it depends on what you need. If you want the most towing power and only need good off-road ability, the Ford F-250 is ideal. If you want a more comfortable ride and towing that almost approaches the Ford, then the Chevy Silverado should work.
The Ram 2500 is somewhere in between on both levels, but it does offer a very luxurious interior.
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