The 2016 Ram 3500 HD is rated to tow 31,200 lbs.Ram criticized Ford’s news today of besting its pickup towing capacity by saying that the comparison was made between two different truck segments.
Ford reports that its 2017 F-450 will tow up to 32,500 pounds, which the automaker says in a press release is “1,290 more pounds than its nearest competitor.”
That nearest competitor is the 2016 Ram 3500, and Ram Trucks Communications Manager Nick Cappa says that the Ram 3500 is not in the same segment as the F-450.
“As it stands the 2016 Ram 3500 beats all competitors (F350 included) in the Class 3 segment with 31,210 pounds of towing capacity,” Cappa told Hard Working Trucks.
“There is only one player in the Class 4 pickup segment and it is not a valid comparison to Class 3 pickups.
“Even though our competitor’s new HD is not yet available, we have already beat them with features such as air suspension, link coil suspension and the highest towing capability in the segment.”
In response to Ram’s criticism, Ford’s North America Product Communications Manager Mike Levine told Hard Working Trucks that the 2017 F-450 is a Class 3 pickup, like the F-350 and the Ram 3500.
The 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab 4×4 can tow up to 32,500 lbs.“Ram continues to confuse class with nomenclature. Our max tow F-Series Super Duty pickup truck is the F-450. It’s Class 3, like our F-350 pickup truck,” Levine said.
Class 3 designation is reserved for vehicles with a GVWR between 10,001 and 14,000 lbs. However, vehicle weight doesn’t account for differences between such things like axles, frame construction and suspension–all of which are important factors when comparing pickups.
Ram contends that the F-450 is in segment by itself because of major structural differences between it and other Class 3 trucks, such as the Ram 3500, the F-350, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and the GMC Sierra 3500.
About two hours after news appeared today on towing specs for the 2017 F-450, Levine Tweeted “2017 F-350 max towing is 32,000 pounds.”
That rating will best Ram’s 2016 3500 by 790 pounds. However, until the new Ford Super Duty lineup hits showroom floors this fall, the 2016 Ram 3500 can still claim to have the nation’s highest pickup towing capacity at 31,210 pounds.
