Tow Capacities

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Ford F-250 vs RAM 2500 Towing Capacity

RAM 2500 has the higher peak towing rating represented in our dataset

F-250

Highest rating represented in our dataset

15,000 lbs
2500

Highest rating represented in our dataset

17,000 lbs
Difference

Peak ratings in dataset

+2,000 lbs

Ford F-250 has the higher peak rating in 6 of 11 shared model years; RAM 2500 leads in 1.

Across the model years represented in our database, the RAM 2500 reaches a higher peak towing rating (17,000 lbs vs 15,000 lbs, difference 2,000 lbs). In shared model years with data, F-250 leads in 6 and 2500 leads in 1 (4 ties). The exact difference depends heavily on model year and configuration.

Check which one fits your trailer ↓

Ford F-250

Years covered
1999–2022
Configurations
746
Observed tow range
2,100 – 15,000 lbs
Payload range
2,179 – 4,332 lbs
Peak towing
15,000 lbs in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Peak payload
4,332 lbs in 2019

Open F-250 model hub · Change vehicle

RAM 2500

Years covered
2012–2022
Configurations
217
Observed tow range
10,000 – 17,000 lbs
Payload range
1,430 – 6,103 lbs
Peak towing
17,000 lbs in 2017 (2017)
Peak payload
6,103 lbs in 2013

Open 2500 model hub · Change vehicle

At a glance

Maximum towing represented
F-25015,000 lbs
250017,000 lbs
2500 wins
Peak towing advantage
F-250—
2500+2,000 lbs
2500 wins
Maximum payload (validated)
F-2504,332 lbs
25006,103 lbs
2500 wins
Observed towing range
F-2502,100 lbs – 15,000 lbs
250010,000 lbs – 17,000 lbs
Years covered
F-2501999–2022
25002012–2022
Configurations available
F-250746
2500217
Peak towing years
F-25015,000 lbs in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
250017,000 lbs in 2017
Peak payload years
F-2504,332 lbs in 2019
25006,103 lbs in 2013
F-250
VS
2500

Which one works for your trailer?

Searching configurations for the selected years (2016 F-250 vs 2016 2500). Clear years in the bar above to search the full model history.

Compare specific model years

2016 Ford F-250 vs 2016 RAM 2500

Decision metrics

Peak towing represented

F-25012,500 lbs
250011,040 lbs

F-250: -1,460 lbs / -11.7%

Peak payload

F-2504,040 lbs
25002,210 lbs

F-250: -1,830 lbs / -45.3%

Minimum towing represented

F-25012,200 lbs
250010,770 lbs

F-250: -1,430 lbs / -11.7%

Minimum payload

F-2502,980 lbs
25001,950 lbs

F-250: -1,030 lbs / -34.6%

F-250

GVWR range
10,000 lbs
Curb weight range
5,941 – 6,942 lbs
GCWR
19,000 lbs
Drivetrains
4x2, 4x4
Cabs
Crew Cab, Regular Cab, Super Cab
Bed lengths
6.75 ft, 8 ft
Axle ratios
3.73
Engines
Not available in our dataset
Configuration count
28

2500

GVWR range
9,000 lbs
Curb weight range
6,785 – 7,055 lbs
GCWR
18,300 lbs
Drivetrains
4x2, 4x4
Cabs
Mega Cab
Bed lengths
Not available in our dataset
Axle ratios
3.73
Engines
Not available in our dataset
Configuration count
6

Data coverage

Ford F-250 2016: 28 configurations

RAM 2500 2016: 6 configurations

Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.

Compare towing capacity by year

Maximum observed towing capacity per model year in our dataset. Click a year to select it for detailed comparison.

199920032007201120152019202217,7367,064
F-2502500

F-250 vs 2500 by year

Every year where either model has data. Missing values are not treated as zero.

YearF-250 max tow2500 max towDifferenceWinner
202215,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbsTie
202115,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbsTie
202015,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbsTie
201915,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbsTie
201813,000 lbs11,000 lbs-2,000 lbs F-250F-250
201713,300 lbs17,000 lbs+3,700 lbs 25002500
201612,500 lbs11,040 lbs-1,460 lbs F-250F-250
201512,500 lbs11,080 lbs-1,420 lbs F-250F-250
201412,500 lbs11,860 lbs-640 lbs F-250F-250
201312,500 lbs12,350 lbs-150 lbs F-250F-250
201212,500 lbs11,350 lbs-1,150 lbs F-250F-250
201112,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
201010,000 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200910,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200810,400 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200711,100 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
20069,100 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
20059,000 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
20047,800 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200312,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200212,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200112,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
200014,500 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
19999,800 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data

Payload capacity by model year

Maximum observed payload for both models across years. Higher tow rating is not always the only relevant choice.

19992003200720112015201920226,6031,710
F-2502500

Best towing configurations

2016 Ford F-250

  • Lariat4x2 · Crew Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,490 lbs
  • Lariat4x2 · Crew Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,380 lbs
  • Lariat4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,700 lbs
  • Lariat4x2 · Super Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,600 lbs
  • XL4x2 · Crew Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,490 lbs

View all 28 configurations

2016 RAM 2500

  • Laramie4x2 · Mega Cab · 3.73Max towing 11,040 lbs · Payload 2,210 lbs
  • Longhorn4x2 · Mega Cab · 3.73Max towing 11,040 lbs · Payload 2,210 lbs
  • SLT4x2 · Mega Cab · 3.73Max towing 11,040 lbs · Payload 2,210 lbs
  • Laramie4x4 · Mega Cab · 3.73Max towing 10,770 lbs · Payload 1,950 lbs
  • Longhorn4x4 · Mega Cab · 3.73Max towing 10,770 lbs · Payload 1,950 lbs

View all 6 configurations

Compare exact configurations

Change vehicle — open the comparison builder to pick a different pair.

Where each model has the advantage

Ford F-250

  • Higher maximum towing in: 6 of 11 comparable years
    Show years

    2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018

  • Higher payload in: 9 of 10 comparable years
    Show years

    2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

RAM 2500

  • Higher maximum towing in: 1 of 11 comparable years
    Show years

    2017

  • Higher payload in: 1 of 10 comparable years
    Show years

    2013

Years where these models are closest

Shared years with the smallest absolute difference in maximum towing ratings.

YearF-2502500Difference
202215,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbs
202115,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbs
202015,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbs
201915,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbs
201312,500 lbs12,350 lbs-150 lbs
201412,500 lbs11,860 lbs-640 lbs
201212,500 lbs11,350 lbs-1,150 lbs
201512,500 lbs11,080 lbs-1,420 lbs

Years with the biggest towing-capacity difference

YearF-2502500Difference
201713,300 lbs17,000 lbs+3,700 lbs
201813,000 lbs11,000 lbs-2,000 lbs
201612,500 lbs11,040 lbs-1,460 lbs
201512,500 lbs11,080 lbs-1,420 lbs
201212,500 lbs11,350 lbs-1,150 lbs
201412,500 lbs11,860 lbs-640 lbs
201312,500 lbs12,350 lbs-150 lbs
202215,000 lbs15,000 lbs0 lbs

Data coverage / methodology

Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.

  • Peak values are the highest ratings represented in our dataset, not a claim of manufacturer completeness.
  • Missing values are never treated as zero.
  • We do not use averages of towing configurations as a primary comparison metric.
  • Trailer “match” means the entered limits are satisfied by ratings in our dataset — additional real-world vehicle/trailer limits may apply. We never say a tow is “safe.”

Model pages

Ford F-250 towing capacity · RAM 2500 towing capacity

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