Which Heavy Duty Pickup Really is Best-in-Class?
Ram and Ford have been locked in a confusing best-in-class claim war for over a year, and last week more gas (or should we say diesel) was poured on the fire.
Ram announced that its 2016 Heavy Duty pickup trucks would be available with a “best-in-class” 900 lb-ft of torque and a maximum tow rating of 31,210 lbs, eclipsing Ford’s maximum torque and tow rating by 35 lb-ft and 10 lbs, respectively.
That very day, Ford issued a press release on its 2016 heavy duty pickups, claiming a “best-in-class” torque rating of 865 lb-ft and max tow rating at 31,200 lbs.
With lower numbers, this seemed like an error, or perhaps Ford didn’t have time to amend its release before seeing Ram’s new HD numbers. But Ford made it clear that this was no mistake.
“[Ford] Super Duty continues to have best-in-class horsepower (440) and standard torque (865 lb-ft),” wrote Ford Truck Communications Manager Mike Levine in an e-mail. The key word in his response was “standard,” as the 900 lb-ft of torque and subsequent max tow rating for the Ram HDs are only available if you get the upgraded Aisin transmission, allowing Ford to claim best-in-class standard torque.
Is Ford’s release misleading? Ford doesn’t think so.
“There are no changes planned for our release, as the Ram HDs with the claimed ratings are not yet available for sale,” Levine said.
Ram says its updated HDs will hit dealers in the fourth quarter of 2015. So, can we assume that Ford will keep claiming its best-in-class tow ratings until the Ram HDs hit dealers?
What does Ram have to say about all this?
“RAM currently holds the titles for most torque at 900 lb.-ft. and towing capacity at 31,210 pounds,” says Ram Truck media relations manager Nick Cappa.
Clearly, neither company is ready to back down from its claim of being best-in-class, regardless of the holes in their reasons for doing so.
The controversy started last year when Ram announced its max tow rating was moving to a best-in-class 30,000 lbs for the 3500 HD. Ford quickly shot a rebuttal, saying that the F-450 could tow a maximum load of 31,200 lbs, and, therefore, was best-in-class.
Ram quickly pointed out that the rating was for an F-450, which is in a different class than its 3500. But Ford shot back, saying that despite its name, the F-450 is technically a class 3 pickup truck, thanks to its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,000 lbs., putting it in direct competition with the Ram 3500.
Truly, this best-in-class battle really only has one loser: the consumer. It seems trivial that automakers are fighting over a few pound-feet. As if the process of buying a new vehicle wasn’t convoluted enough, shoppers are being forced to read between the lines to sort out for themselves exactly which truck is “best-in-class.”
Discuss this story at our Ram Trucks Forum or our Ford Trucks Forum
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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I love my 2006 2500 Diesel Dodge. Only 90,000 miles, looks & Drives like new. Stil get 12 mpg pulling 12k 5th wheel at 70 mph.
I tow new rv's for a living. Average 6000 kms every week in a stretched 06 Ram 3500 dually. 6 speed with a dual disc clutch puts the power down. The overwhelming majority of people in the business are running Dodge/Ram's. A good number of those, like me are running the 5.9 li. All the power you want/need, decent fuel mileage and bullet proof. There are GM's and Ford's out there to be sure, and they do the job nicely. Like Ford/GM/Ram, buy one, look after it and it will look after you. This argument about which brand is best will go on forever. It provides entertainment and nothing much else.