Sometimes you just need a heavy duty truck for heavy duty work.
So when your weekend plans involve hauling big boats
or your business demands massive trailers, where do you turn?
You turn to one of these two trucks, the Ford
F-250 or the RAM 2500.
They offer different pros and cons
but they're both tough and strong,
so stick around to see which one's
the clear winner in our opinion.
Hey, everybody.
I'm Desola from Edmunds, where we're
known as the car testing pros.
We've decided to team up with the experts over at CarMax
to help you find the right car for your needs.
These trucks are focused on work and are
built to handle anything that you can throw out there.
So as a result, they're big and burly
and there's tons of different versions
out there for you to choose too, so let's check them out.
This generation of the F-250 debuted in 2017
with a major update happening in 2020.
This one is a 2021 in the Lariat trim,
which lands right in the middle of the lineup.
Like the F-150, it features an aluminum body.
It comes in three cab configurations, a regular cab,
an extended cab-- which Ford calls a super cab-- and then
a crew cab.
Each can be paired with either a 6.8 or an 8.2-foot bed.
Rear wheel drive is standard on most trims,
and four wheel drive is available on all.
There are three engines available.
Our truck has a 6.2-liter V8 engine.
Now if you're interested in a diesel
we highly recommend that you look at the 2020 or newer
models, as they received significant upgrades
and an insane 1,050 pound feet of torque.
CarMax sells the F-250 for about $65,000
depending on things like the trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
Then there's the RAM 2500.
This generation debuted in 2019, and the truck
we have here today is a 2021 in the Laramie trim level, which
sits near the middle of the lineup.
The 2500 is available in three cab configurations,
a regular cab, a crew cab, and what RAM calls the mega cab.
Now it's a crew cab with an additional 11 inches
of cab length.
Now that's just ridiculous.
There are two beds available, a 6.3 and an 8-foot respectively.
You also get your choice of two engines, a gas V8
or a diesel inline 6.
Now our truck has the diesel with plenty of power
to haul your weekend toys or your work day trailer.
CarMax sells the 2500 for an average of around $63,000,
again, depending on trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
Now one thing you can't do is ignore
how huge these trucks are.
I mean, look at how high the hood comes up to my shoulders,
so make sure you're aware of that
if you plan on trying to fit one of these into your life.
If you're coming from an F-150, this 250 interior
is going to feel very familiar to you.
It's very intuitive, and it has these large easy to read
buttons and these big knobs.
There's plenty of front passenger space and head room
with these sculpted ceilings.
The front seats are well cushioned for long drives,
and some trims even have an available active motion massage
to help work out the kinks after a long day's work on the job
site.
The base XL gets a 4.2-inch center screen standard,
but most will have an 8-inch unit.
Now if you get the ladder, it comes with both Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto with the SYNC 3 system, which our editors love.
Overall visibility is good also, and power
extending side mirrors on some trims
help a lot when you're towing.
There are two power ports in here.
There's one right here up on the dash
and then there's another one behind the center console,
and there's enough power to charge maybe a laptop or hey,
if needed, a power tool.
You get two USB ports up front, two in the back,
plus a power port in the center console.
Something we love are these factory
installed overhead auxiliary switches,
with the first two that are always hot.
This makes adding a powered accessory a snap.
There are lots of small storage areas all throughout the cabin,
four cupholders up front with a swipe left,
and a bottle holder in the doors.
You get a dual glove box so you actually could store gloves.
In the rear there's copious amounts of passenger space.
The 60-40 split seat can flip up,
providing a flat floor for rear cargo.
Additionally, there is a fold up under seat cargo box
that's lockable.
Now this is great for keeping tools or valuables out of sight
and secure.
The first thing that you're going
to notice when you get into the RAM
is the excellent fit and finish.
This is the midlevel Laramie trim
and I got to tell you guys, this is really nice.
Like, it's really nice.
Now if you do want some more refinement,
there are upper trim levels like the Longhorn and the Limited,
and those ones are downright luxurious.
On lower trims you get a 5-inch screen standard but most trim
levels get this 8.4-inch unit, which is great to use thanks
to the Uconnect system.
Our editors love that it's intuitive and responsive.
It too has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There is an optional top end 12.3-inch touchscreen that is
only rivaled by much more expensive luxury brands.
It features crisp graphics and an easy to learn
organizational structure.
So like the Ford, you get plugs in the dash
and you get another one behind the center console.
You also get more USB ports in the RAM and believe me,
they're all over the place.
And finally, we love that there's
a port in the dash tray, which is perfect
for all of your windshield mounted accessories.
Our test truck has the front bench seat,
but most 2500's feature a configurable center
storage console.
Now we definitely recommend it for anybody
who's basing their field office out of the front seats,
as it can easily fit a 15-inch laptop or a standard file
folder.
Visibility is good for a truck this size.
Unlike the F-250, RAM doesn't have extending side mirrors,
but they do fold in for tight parking spaces.
Rear passengers have plenty of back seat space in this crew
cab.
There's a 60-40 split seat that can easily fold up.
Now you also have this fold flat load floor
that's available on crew cabs.
While you don't have under seat storage like the Ford,
you do have in-floor storage on some trims
with removable liners for easy cleaning, but in our opinion
they are not that useful.
Overall, it's really a fantastic interior
for a heavy duty truck.
RAM nailed it.
To sum it up, the F-250 features an intuitive, easy-to-use
design.
The lockable under-seat storage is
great for keeping valuables and tools out of sight and secure.
Overall though, the interior just
doesn't feel as premium as the RAM, which, in our opinion,
is a class leader.
Additionally, we love the available 12.3-inch screen
which rivals the luxury brands of Europe.
The RAM's crew cab isn't as spacious as the F-250, but hey,
overall there really isn't much to complain
about the interior of the RAM.
With the F-250, a class 5 hitch comes
standard, along with 4 and 7 pin wiring and trailer brake
control.
Its max towing numbers are really strong,
and if you opt for the updated diesel engine
they're class leading.
As for payload, our tester truck gets a solid 3,470 pounds,
but make sure to check the VIN tag of the truck
you're looking at in order to get an exact figure.
The bed is gooseneck and fifth wheel capable,
but it does require the optional hitch prep package
to be ready for you to install such hitches.
But you do get this fancy pull out step, which helps,
but I really hate how it puts my shins right up
against the sharp metal.
Our editors love the optional Pro Trailer Backup Assist
and Trailer Reverse guidance, both of which
are built to accommodate all trailer styles,
making navigating in reverse really easy.
And lastly, trucks with the 8-foot and the crew cab
have an available 48-gallon tank for those extra long workdays.
Just like the F-250, you get a class 5 hitch plus 4 and 7
pin wiring on this truck.
The max towing numbers for the ramp
are competitive for gas powered engines,
but the diesel falls short of the class leading Ford.
Now these are still very good numbers, however.
Likewise, maximum payload is just under the 250's max.
The bed is gooseneck and fifth wheel capable as well,
but it does require an optional prep package.
Now there's no tailgate tricks here,
but there is an optional retractable step
on the rear bumper corner or optional running sideboards
to reach into the bed, but that's it.
It's not quite as handy as the Ford's tailgate step, however,
RAM does offer an available rear air suspension whose kneeling
function makes loading and trailer hook ups super easy.
Laramie trims and up get a dampened tailgate,
and higher ones get a power lowering tailgate.
Now not to be outdone, a 50-gallon tank
is optional on crew cabs with an 8-foot bed.
Now I hope you have a high credit
limit on those gas cards, because that's expensive.
OK.
We threw a whole bunch of facts and numbers at you,
but to sum it up, the business end of the truck
is where the F-250 excels.
The available backup assist and trailer reverse guidance
are excellent tools to help you navigate those large loads.
And additionally, we think that the tailgate step
is very useful to get into the bed easily
to reach your payload.
And of course, there are more engine options
with the 250 and the class leading tow ratings
with the available diesel are amazing.
RAM isn't that far behind in that regard,
and actually has very high ratings itself for the class.
Now if you do opt for the air suspension,
it'll make hooking up a fifth wheel or gooseneck super easy.
And lastly, while the side step may
be handy to get into the bed with the trailer,
it's just not as handy for regular payload duty.
You get power galore from this engine,
and for such a big heavy vehicle it moves pretty well.
This truck has a 6.2-liter engine,
which is mated to a 6 speed transmission.
Now there is a 10 speed automatic transmission
available on the two other engine options.
This big Ford feels somewhat agile,
but there's no hiding its sheer bulk.
There are some good drivers aids though that
include lane departure warning for the truck
and attached trailer, a blind spot monitor with trailer
coverage, and forward collision warning
with automatic emergency braking.
Now here are some things that we don't like.
The steering is vague and not responsive,
which is good for heavy trailers,
but it's not great when you have those unloaded days.
And braking is also disappointing.
Even for an HD truck, it takes a lot
of planning to come to a smooth stop.
In our testing, this truck took 153 feet
to execute a panic stop from 60 to 0 miles per hour.
In the RAM the driving position is pretty high,
but if you get comfortable it is a pleasure to drive.
It really is.
It just feels very modern, and it's even
a little swift around town.
But on highways, it's a freight train.
There's loads of torque, especially from the diesel.
Now either engine is great at delivering
gradual but forceful power.
It has nice slide and comfortable steering,
but I really wouldn't say that it's nimble, but it is easy.
Now braking is better than the Ford.
In our testing, this RAM came to a full stop
more quickly, which is more in line with what we
expect from a heavy duty truck.
Available on all trims is an optional driver's aid package.
In our testing we appreciated that the adaptive cruise
control and blind spot monitoring
are effective without being intrusive.
Now how did these trucks stack up on the road?
Well, the Ford is comfortable and you
do get very good driver's aids, but it has vague steering
and the braking power is super disappointing.
Now the RAM on the other hand is very composed on the road,
and it doesn't feel like a heavy duty truck at all.
The steering is excellent and the brakes are very good too.
However, the seating position is high
and that might be a dealbreaker for some people.
Normally it's really hard for us to choose winners
with these comparisons, but this time there's a clear standout.
Now the Ford F-250 is well-rounded,
yet still tough as nails, but ultimately,
it just cannot stand up to what the RAM offers.
So if you're still going to take a closer look at this,
we recommend that you skip the base model and just start with
the XLT. Now the RAM 2500 is strong ,
but it also introduces the next level technology,
interior comfort, and it adds a bit of sophistication
to the road for the class.
I mean, hey, just because you drive a heavy duty
truck doesn't mean that you have to miss out
on all of those qualities.
So if this is a winner in your book, start with the Bighorn
trim and then go up from there.
Let us know which one of these trucks you would choose down
in the comments below and of course,
don't forget to tell us which cars you
think we should review next.
Thanks again for watching, and don't
forget to like and subscribe to CarMax's YouTube channel.