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2015 Ram 3500
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By Patrick Rall Aug 25 2014 - 6:34pm

2015 Ram 3500 Packs More Torque, Better Capabilities Than the 2015 Ford F350

The 2015 Ford F350 Super Duty was expected to be the most powerful truck in the segment, but the 2015 Ram 3500 has gotten a bump in torque for the new model year that bests the Ford by just a touch and the Chevy Silverado by a ton – while the Ram continues to be the most capable one ton truck in America in terms of payload and towing as well.
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Four Examples from the 2015 Ram Heavy Duty Lineup
The 2015 Ram 3500 in the wild
The 2015 Ram 3500 on the assembly line

There are few segments in the American auto industry that are more hotly contested than the full sized truck group and earlier this year, Ford Motor Company announced that the 2015 Super Duty would come with a new high output PowerStroke diesel engine that packs an awesome 440 horsepower and 860lb-ft of torque. That would have allowed the 2015 F350 to pack 55 more horsepower and 10lb-ft more torque than the Ram 3500 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel…until the folks at Chrysler announced the specs for the 2015 Ram Heavy Duty lineup.

Included for the 2015 model year is a new Cummins diesel engine that makes 865lb-ft of torque – making the Ram the most powerful truck in the class in the power figure that counts most in the world of hard workin’ trucks.

Ram Beats Ford in Torque, Payload and Towing
The 2015 Ford F350 Super Duty is powered by a 6.7L PowerStroke diesel that delivers 440 horsepower and 860lb-ft of torque which, in the right configuration, allows owners to haul an impressive 7,090 pounds in the bed and tow 26,700 ponds on a 5th wheel setup. The 2015 Ram 3500 is powered by a 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel that delivers “only” 385 horsepower, but with 865lb-ft of torque, it is the most powerful option among ¾ ton and 1 ton trucks. The 2015 Ram 3500 is capable of towing the same 30,000 pounds as the 2014 models with slightly less torque, but the payload capacity is increased to 7,390 pounds…meaning that while the Ram doesn’t pack the raw horsepower, it has the power to out-tow and out-haul the Ford F350 and the Chevy Silverado 3500HD in their strongest configurations.

The 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is powered by a 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel that produces 397 horsepower and 765lb-ft of torque. In its strongest configurations, the Silverado 3500HD is capable of hauling 7,374 pounds and towing 23,200 pounds. Prior to this bump in torque for 2015, the Ram had trailed the Silverado in payload capacity by 54 pounds, but the added torque and added payload capability has given the Ram the lead in hauling as well…even if only by a small margin.

It should be noted that Ford Motor Company is claiming the most capable truck on the market with their 2015 F450, but when you are shopping strictly for a ¾ ton or 1 ton pickup – the Ram offers the advantage where it really counts.

Other Engines for the 2015 Ram Heavy Duty Lineup
In addition to the new 6.7L High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, the 2015 Ram Heavy Duty lineup has four other engine options depending on the configuration chosen. The “base” engine for the 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500 is the 5.7L Hemi V8 that delivers 383hp and 400lb-ft of torque. Those folks who want a little more power than what is offered by the 5.7L mill can opt for a newer 6.4L Hemi V8 that is based on the high performance SRT engines. This bigger Hemi packs 410 horsepower and 429lb-ft of torque.

Other Ram Truck News:
2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Limited Review: Luxury Meets the Segment's Toughest Truck
The 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is the Most Efficient Full Size Truck Ever
The Critics were Wrong - Chrysler Sells 8,000 Ram EcoDiesel Pickups in 3 Days

Next up are two different non-High Output versions of the Cummins Turbo Diesel for the 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500. Those buyers who want a manual transmission can only select the 6.7L diesel engine with 350 horsepower and 660lb-ft of torque while trucks with an automatic transmission get a similar engine with 370 horsepower and 800lb-ft of torque. The 5th engine option for the 2015 Ram Heavy Duty is the High Output 6.7L Cummins mated to a 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission.

For comparison, the only other engine for the 2015 Ford Super Duty lineup is the 6.2L V8 that offers 385 horsepower and 405lb-ft of torque so while the F250 and F350 can challenge the base 5.7L Hemi, Ram’s 6.4L Hemi offers more gasoline power while the new 6.7L Cummins HO engine leads the diesel trucks in torque. The only other engine offered for the 2015 Silverado 3500HD is the 6.0L V8 with 360 horsepower and 380lb-ft of torque so while the Duramax diesel has the Silverado being at least somewhat competitive with the diesel powered F350 and Ram 3500, the Chevy’s gasoline V8 is by far the weakest of the group.

Ford Motor Company has the most horsepower in the heavy duty truck segment along with having the most powerful 450/4500 level truck in the segment, but with more torque, more payload capabilities and significantly greater towing capacities at the 3500/F350 level – the Ram brand has a clear advantage among the most popular consumer grade trucks on today’s market.

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Comments

john george wrote on August 25, 2014 - 9:52pm
dodge and ford both are nothing but trash! in my 50 years as a mechanic, on every make and model i drice a chevrolet! for uses recycled metal on there frames, shackles, brake and fuel lines and show me 1 good motor or trans! dodge can't keep anything from falling apart including shackles, transmissions, motors, and if the best they can do is 25 miles per gallon my 03 gmc v8 get 29 mpg on the road with the ac on and 18.9 in the city with 236,000 miles on it! all i can say is dodge and fords are trash and i challenge anyone to prove me wrong! just ask the public!
Sean M wrote on August 26, 2014 - 9:32pm
I can show you several good engines from Dodge, try 3 of Wards 10 best engines with the 6.7 liter Cummings, the 5.7 liter Hemi, and the 3.6 liter V-6. I call BS on your 29 miles to the gallon on your 4.8 or 5.3 GMC truck. I think the public has already proven you wrong too, as the Ford is the number 1 truck in the US & Dodge just bumped your Chevy down to number 3 in truck sales.
John Salsburry wrote on March 14, 2015 - 3:30pm
its cummins not cumminGs. you dont know much then about trucks because cummins is an independant brand with its own line of products.
blank wrote on June 3, 2015 - 5:05am
Dude Dodge engines sucks. Ask any real macainc and they will tell you Dodge and ford engines suck they break down constantly. Don't get me wrong I like them all Chevy, Ford, and Dodge but hands down after owning all 3 and friends and family I prefer Chevy over them all. They are built way better than any of the others. I have never had any problems with a Chevy but ford and dodge I cant keep them to stay running and same with friends who has them. My dad has over 900, miles on his Chevy and hasn't done really anything at all to it since new yet just the basic tune up like they all need. I today just whopped some jerk in a 2014 dodge dully all tricked out that was trying to piss me off in my Chevy truck with over 400, original miles on 350 motor with straight exhaust. He pulled out infront of me when i was going 70 had to slam on the breaks because cars in other lane then after a while of going slow he gunned it to blow black smoke well i kept right behind him then he slowed down and did it again and staid right there then got stuck behind a slow car then he started reeving his engine to blow black smoke at me and then took of at passing zone so did I and stayed right behind his back bumper and then I gunned it and flew right by him and he never could catch me because I just kept pulling away till I was no longer in sight and I know he had it to the floor but he had nothing on my Chevy. I love how all the Dodge and ford owners talk bad about Chevy but we can beat you any time any place even with a tun of miles on the motor. Also you are missed informed about the sales number. Dodge is on the bottom of the totem pole about to die because their sales are so low they are about bankrupt again. So they decided to try to win everyone back they would through a tun of horsepower in the challenger and charger but they are still not going to get any sales because the camaro still has it beat. The Camaro is track ready and can take turns while dodge is only for straight line so all that horsepower and the handling sucks. So people want a car that can handle so they will buy the camaro and sup it up to beat the dodge hellcats at a straight up straight line race also because right now the camaro can whoop the hellcats on a track all day factory.. Now onto the numbers. this is how it truly is in the us when you posted this comment. Toyota number one. Chevy number 2 ford number 3 and dodge number 4. I now for a fact it probably has changed and Chevy is number one because every whee I look and go all I see is the new Chevy trucks and barely ever see any new ford's or dodges at all.. Know onto the gas millage. He probably does get it because my dad has a old 76 ford with the 460 in it and he was getting 25 mph hgw and 19 city before it broke down. Yes most do not get but maybe 12mpg but if you do the right things to it you can get it.
Bowen Clingenpeel wrote on May 10, 2016 - 8:51pm
Don't forget that Cummins is not a Dodge engine. And for you to say that Ford's Powerstroke Diesel and Cummins are junk, makes you sound like you have no idea what the heck your talking about. Those two motors are better than any Aisin 'Izuzu' duramax. You blew past a dually in your 350? congrats, hook up than. And line up a new hell cat to the camaro and see what happens. I know a 12v with 400,000 miles running strong, the 4x4 just went out in it, and no tranny problems. I know a 24v with 450,000 miles and that truck is still going strong. Its all probability, at least you won't break the cheap plastics in the inside of the new Rams and Fords, Cummins are Powerstroke are the true kings on Diesel. With the new 2016 cummins reaching 900lbs of torque? trucks unbeatable. And than the Powerstroke at 850?. Get out of here with your 350.
Bt929799 wrote on August 5, 2016 - 5:16pm
Its mechanic you cry baby
Miller wrote on September 13, 2014 - 11:25am
If your truck gets that kind of gas mileage I want your calculator. Because mine is wrong. Where do you buy them at????
jd rogers wrote on December 24, 2014 - 8:17pm
A half ton GMC or Chevy that gets 29 mpg? i say no.
EC wrote on January 27, 2015 - 6:35pm
I pull your Chevy backwards 90 mph with my new f-350 DRW and send it to the scrap yard for GM to redesign.... An my 2015 has 440 hp and without a load gets 25 mph on hi way and 19.8 mpg in town.....honestly!
Collin singh wrote on February 11, 2015 - 2:41pm
I have in my fleet of 25 dodges 5500 3500 they are 2013 Packing. 100.000 and well over 300,000 miles and still going strong, I have seen a lot of comments I think the mechanics are the problem that need to upgrade, as for the fords, it has too many problems. Also to add Our last fleets was a 5500 dodge 6.7 packing over 1 million ,one hundred and seventy-three thousand miles, and said to be going strong. The only thing I have ever changed is the exhaust system.
Collin singh wrote on February 11, 2015 - 2:43pm
I have in my fleet of 25 dodges 5500 3500 they are 2013 Packing. 100.000 and well over 300,000 miles and still going strong, I have seen a lot of comments I think the mechanics are the problem that need to upgrade, as for the fords, it has too many problems. Also to add Our last fleets was a 5500 dodge 6.7 packing over 1 million ,one hundred and seventy-three thousand miles, and said to be going strong. The only thing I have ever changed is the exhaust system.
mike wrote on February 24, 2015 - 9:41pm
Although Chevy/GMC make a great truck they are no better than Ford or Dodge. Chevy like Dodge and Ford have had their fair share of P.O.S. That is a simple fact!
Ryan Toops wrote on April 12, 2015 - 6:32pm
If your going tell us dodge and ford drivers off, make sure you spelled everything right. and dodge are so much better then Chevrolet.
Ryan Toops wrote on April 12, 2015 - 6:32pm
If your going tell us dodge and ford drivers off, make sure you spelled everything right. and dodge are so much better then Chevrolet.
Cory wrote on March 23, 2016 - 3:29am
Duramax? U mean isuzu
Darcy wrote on May 24, 2016 - 10:11am
As for your comments I'll agree on the Dodge, the 6.7 Cummins is the worst engine ever. I've changed a bunch of them and I'm sure that the heads are warped before they are even assembled but Fords 6.7 scorpion which they have built in house since 2010 and used in 2011 and up superdutys is an engine that will put mechanics out of work. The duramax is better then the Cummins but impossible to work on when it does need repair. Ford has the best truck since 2011
john george wrote on August 27, 2014 - 8:42am
sean, your just like everyone else, you believe all the crap that dodge and ford puts out! dodge has been banned 3 times in california for being lemons, did you know that? ford hasn't built a good car or truck for 40 years! and as for my fuel mileage in a chef v8 truck try me! you by a tank full, i'l buy a tank flu and we will see who goes the farthest! don't believe the 5.7 is any good at all or the 4.7, 3.7, 2.7 2.4 as i have changed out a couple hundred of them!
Jason wrote on January 4, 2015 - 11:00pm
There is no way a 12 year old has changed out that many engines.
Patrick Rall wrote on August 27, 2014 - 9:55am
Maybe none of those Dodge and Ford trucks that you are working on fall apart because of the person working on them...not the company building them.
Andrew Clarke wrote on October 11, 2014 - 12:11pm
First off john you need a spelling class.. I'm a Dodge guy all the way and I've owned all three truck brands for my towing company and my 07 6.7 Cummins has 646,218 miles on it and has never had a problem with basic maintenance. Fords 7.3 was the best power stroke ever built no questions asked. my 06 Ford 6.0 was nothing but junk.. The Chevy 6.6 sucks. it got the worst gas mileage out of the three and was the slowest wile towing so as far as I'm concerned Dodge and Ford are the best and Chevy is just Chevy. Besides the Chevy Brand has the Biggest recall problems out of the three too..
Dmitriy Sayapin wrote on October 19, 2014 - 10:21pm
I've owned 2 Rams, 2011 and 2012. Used to haul cars, a hot shot. Hauling 4 cars, driving thru VA and WV mountains, while pulling 24-25-26k at highway speeds at a 7% grade(by the way 2012 had max towing of 22,750 lb, which means that I was overloading it on all specs all the time driving day and night non stop) . I've "smoked" quite a few Fords and Chevys up the hills while hauling 4-5k more. And had no problems what so ever. I put a 100,000 miles a year, and that truck was just unstoppable. Will be buying another one pretty soon. Don't care what people say who owns it, Fiat Chrysler etc. It gets the job done, and done right. I've tested it out, pushed it to its limits. It stood up.
Dante's Peak wrote on November 11, 2014 - 5:32am
29 highway in a Truck? Ill give you the fact that the 5.3 had been one of the most fuel efficient trucks in its prime but you must be high. Maybe you drive 50 everywhere. Apparently your truck gets better mpg than the most fuel efficient trucks out now including your own brands new truck hahahaha. I've driven a few 5.3's. I liked them for a daily driver. Good mpg and good power unloaded. Not great for towing unless its a light trailer. Hit a grade with 3k trailer and you'll know. Real time combined around 17mpg. Capable of 22 highway if you drive conservative. Descent ride too. Mechanical wallet emptier though. I know a few people that have been left on the side of the road with these trucks at lower mileage. Not to mention the repair bills on the higher mileage ones. So like a rock. If that rock was crumbling I guess hahaha!
Just wrote on November 18, 2014 - 11:58pm
Laughing at the 29 mile per gallon I had a 07 Tahoe w a 5.3 I got 16 town 19 highway In my 08 silverado I averaged the same. I have had dodge 2500 diesels, Tahoes, escalades, silverado, 2012 powerstroke and yet I will now stay with new ram diesels every few years. I love my 14 cummins
Des Zacharias wrote on November 19, 2014 - 1:11pm
I'll back John G. I've been a Duramax fan for years. Dmitry, until you start towing on backroads and not pavement you haven't tested it or even come close to pushing it to the limit. I bought the new 14 Ram 3500 HD with the Aisin transmission instead of the GMC because of the advertised towing capacities. With 56000km (35000miles for you Americans) on it, I'm on my third transmission. I pull a 18000lb 44ft toy hauler fifth wheel through all kinds of weather conditions on gravel(sometimes) and dirt roads through the mountains of BC. Admittedly I am hard on equipment, but out here you have to get aggressive on occasion. Prior to the Ram I owned an 07 Sierra dually with the Duramax and Allison combination. The Duramax was programmed and the Allison was beefed up and I never broke it. My advice is buy the truck with the nicest interior and replace the rest with something you've built yourself. Beyond that I think they're all junk. My next move is to replace the Aisin with an Allison.
joe wrote on December 7, 2014 - 6:21pm
29 mpg. Is a joke. My brand new dodge dart barley gets 29 mpg. And it can fit in the bed of my ram. So a truck of any brand getting 29 mpg is total bulls$%t.
Dave wrote on December 30, 2014 - 10:53am
Well guys after reading all your comments none of them are much help in the selection process of a new truck. I'd be happy getting 1/2 the 29 mph John gets. I have 1994 GMC crewcab dually 4x4 and a 454 gasser with relatively low miles ( 75K ), in primo condition. We use it mostly for going camping. We carry a Lance slide-in cab over camper. We boondock as much as possible, national forest that sort of camping. The captains chairs are extremely comfortable. Why would we want something newer ?? Because my wife would like a newer camper, one with a slide out to give a little more room and these new campers can weigh 5,000 lbs. or more in the bed. That's too much of an overload for my 94. I get between 7 1/2 to 9 mpg loaded, so something that will be as comfortable, carry the increased weight and some improvement in the mileage would be great. Oh ! and I've never had a breakdown.
Gus wrote on January 19, 2015 - 3:06pm
Who is it talking about 29 mpg on an old Chevy? Most diesels will give better fuel mileage then gassers in town and on the highway. I regret for getting rid of my fx4 2012 for a Ecoboost 2014, now that trucks really sucks gas. I had a Ford 2012 5.0 which did way better. Now I am going to get rid of the Ecoboost and will be buying the Ram 3500. Ram rocks
Eddie wrote on February 3, 2015 - 1:27am
I just purchased my 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually 4x4 with the 6.6 Duramax Diesel Let me tell you Rd trip to Lake Tahoe (without pulling anything) and back to Vegas = 15MPG Combined driving mostly 75MPH I am amazed how you can double your MPG Blown away!
Danny wrote on February 11, 2015 - 8:27pm
First off Chevy has nothing to offer. Ford is playing catch up and GMC is just a princess. The best Truck on the market is the Ram. All three series of trucks, 1500, 2500, and 3500 have the best towing, pay load, fuel economy and options all the way around. I test drove and tested all four brand over a period of 6 months. my result were compared with my friends results and we had very similar numbers. As far as maintenence is concerned it depends on the person doing the maintenance. so if you really wanna compare apples and oranges go ahead. But I will stick to what my numbers churned out. not to mention Ram has the best warranty on the market.
Tanner Frisby wrote on February 14, 2015 - 2:20pm
Alright I have not noticed anyone else state this, just a bunch of personal preferences not having anything to do with actual hard core facts. I am definitely not a fan of Ford and do not own fords but I am a numbers person and can respect when there is a truck that can beat the ones I prefer. Notice that this article is slamming Ford because of only a 5 ft.lbs. more of torque..... 5 pounds and apparently dodge destroys Ford in this scenario when the ford truck has 55 more horsepower and only 5 pounds less torque... also note that this article says only 385 horse for the dodge.... that is a significant amount less than the ford but in no way weak at all its still very powerful but it is a decent amount lower than 440 horse... but apparently 5 lbs of torque is enough to kill off ford. Thats BS and the dumbest and most immature excuse to put your preference truck in front of a competitor. I own GMC's and Dodges those are just the trucks I like but im not going to disrespect a competitor with 5 pounds of torque and a decent amount of horsepower lost. If you are going to say that come up with something better.

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