Jul 18, 2026
Which Heavy-Duty Truck Is Better for Towing Around Colorado Springs, CO - Ford Super Duty F-350 or Ram 3500?

Alpine Ford – Which Heavy-Duty Truck Is Better for Towing Around Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Super Duty F-350 or Ram 3500?

Heavy-duty truck shoppers often start with one practical question: which truck is better for towing, the Ford Super Duty F-350 or the Ram 3500? Around Colorado Springs, CO, that question matters because towing is rarely limited to a short, flat drive. Drivers may be pulling equipment toward a job site, hauling livestock or hay, moving a large camper toward the foothills, or carrying materials across elevation changes that demand steady torque and confident control. Both trucks are built for serious work, and Ram brings respected capability with its available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 engine. However, the Ford Super Duty F-350 earns the advantage for many buyers because it offers higher maximum available diesel horsepower, higher maximum available diesel torque, higher maximum available towing, and a deeper set of available towing technologies designed to simplify difficult maneuvers.

The 2026 Ford Super Duty lineup is engineered around heavy-load confidence. With the available 6.7L High Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine, Ford lists up to 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. It also lists a maximum available 40,000-lb gooseneck tow rating and a maximum available 8,000-lb payload rating. By comparison, the 2026 Ram 3500 lists 430 maximum available high-output diesel horsepower, 1,075 lb-ft of maximum available high-output diesel torque, 36,610 lbs of maximum available high-output diesel towing capacity, and 7,590 lbs of maximum gas payload. Those Ram numbers are strong, but Ford’s higher available ceiling gives shoppers more room for demanding towing plans, especially when the truck needs to pull confidently across mixed grades and changing road conditions.

Why Ford Has the Towing Edge

The reason Ford stands out is not only the headline tow rating. It is the complete towing ecosystem. Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ can help make reversing a trailer feel more controlled by allowing the driver to guide trailer direction with a dedicated knob. Available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™ can help line up the truck and trailer hitch with less back-and-forth adjustment. Available Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch can help estimate payload and tongue weight, giving drivers more information before a trip begins. Ram offers useful available technology as well, including Trailer Reverse Steering Control, available Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring, available 360° Trailer Surround View Camera, and available Trailer Tow Pages. Still, Ford’s towing tools feel especially focused on the full sequence of towing: loading, hitching, backing, monitoring, and driving.

  • Maximum available towing: Ford lists up to 40,000 lbs, while Ram lists up to 36,610 lbs.
  • Maximum available diesel torque: Ford lists up to 1,200 lb-ft, while Ram lists up to 1,075 lb-ft.
  • Maximum available diesel horsepower: Ford lists up to 500 horsepower, while Ram lists up to 430 horsepower.
  • Maximum available payload: Ford lists up to 8,000 lbs, while Ram lists up to 7,590 lbs for gas payload.

How Towing Technology Helps in Real Life

For many owners, a heavy-duty truck is only as useful as the confidence it gives while connecting, loading, and maneuvering a trailer. A high tow rating is important, but daily usability matters just as much. The Ford Super Duty F-350 helps by offering available trailer-focused camera views, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and a 360-Degree Camera on select trims. These tools can be especially helpful in tight yards, narrow access roads, crowded trailering areas, and work locations where visibility is limited. The available head-up display and 12″ center display with SYNC® 4 also keep key information easier to access, helping the driver stay focused on the road and surroundings.

Ram answers with an available Digital Rearview Mirror with side camera integration, available 360° Surround View Camera, available 360° Trailer Surround View Camera, and a Largest-in-Class available 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. That technology is impressive, and the Ram cabin can feel very upscale on higher trims. The Ford advantage is that its trailering features work together with superior available output and ratings. For a driver who regularly hauls near the upper end of a truck’s capability, that combination can make the Ford Super Duty F-350 feel like the more complete tool.

Engine Choice and Control

Ford also gives shoppers a broad engine lineup. The available choices include the 6.8L 2V DEVCT NA PFI V8 gas engine, the 7.3L 2V DEVCT NA PFI gas engine, the 6.7L 4V OHV Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine, and the 6.7L High Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine. Each engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission, giving the truck a wide range of gearing for acceleration, grade management, and towing control. That 10-speed setup is a key point when comparing against the Ram 3500, which uses a TorqueFlite® eight-speed automatic transmission with its gas and diesel engines.

Ram’s available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 has a long-standing reputation, and many drivers appreciate its low-end pulling feel. However, Ford’s available High Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel brings more listed maximum horsepower and torque, and the 10-speed transmission helps manage that power smoothly. For Colorado drivers who may move from urban traffic to open highway to grade-heavy routes in the same day, that combination is a meaningful advantage.

What About Payload and Worksite Use?

Towing is usually the headline, but payload should not be ignored. Payload affects how much weight the truck can carry in the bed and cabin, including tools, fuel tanks, materials, hitch equipment, passengers, and cargo. Ford lists a maximum available 8,000-lb payload rating for Super Duty trucks, supported by a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame and robust engine capability. Ram lists a maximum gas payload of 7,590 lbs, which remains strong but does not match Ford’s maximum available figure.

Worksite usefulness goes beyond numbers. Ford offers available 2kW Pro Power Onboard™, which can power tools, lights, and equipment from in-bed outlets. Available PowerScope® trailer tow mirrors improve visibility when towing wide loads, while the available power tailgate with retractable tailgate step makes bed access easier. Ram offers available onboard power, available LED bed lighting, available power side running boards, and available RamBox® Cargo Management System. Those are useful features, but Ford pairs its practical exterior hardware with stronger maximum capability, making the truck feel especially well-suited to demanding work.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the Ford Super Duty F-350 better than the Ram 3500 for maximum towing?

Yes, based on the published maximum available ratings provided by each brand. Ford lists a maximum available 40,000-lb diesel-powered gooseneck tow rating for Super Duty trucks, while Ram lists a maximum available high-output diesel towing capacity of 36,610 lbs for the 3500.

Does the Ram 3500 have advantages over the Ford Super Duty F-350?

Yes. Ram offers a Largest-in-Class available 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, available dual wireless charging pads, available RamBox® Cargo Management System, and a refined interior on higher trims. For many towing-focused shoppers, though, Ford’s higher maximum available ratings and available towing assistance features provide the stronger overall value.

Which truck should I choose for towing around Colorado Springs, Canon City, and Castle Rock?

If maximum available towing, payload, diesel horsepower, diesel torque, and trailer-focused technology are top priorities, the Ford Super Duty F-350 is the stronger recommendation. Alpine Ford, serving Colorado Springs, Canon City, and Castle Rock, can help match the right configuration to the trailer, workload, and daily driving needs.

The Bottom Line for Heavy-Duty Shoppers

The Ford Super Duty F-350 and Ram 3500 both belong in the serious heavy-duty conversation, but Ford offers the more convincing towing answer for many drivers. The combination of up to 500 available diesel horsepower, 1,200 lb-ft of available diesel torque, 40,000 lbs of maximum available towing, 8,000 lbs of maximum available payload, and available technologies such as Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™, and Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch gives Ford a clear edge. Ram remains capable and comfortable, but for shoppers who want confidence before, during, and after every tow, the Ford Super Duty F-350 is built to lead.

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