Max Towing Wars - Ford vs Ram

SLE wrote:
Alright, lets get a few things straight. First off, the Ram 3500 and the Ford F450 for all intensive purposes are the same class truck, both carry a 14,000 lb GVWRs and both are rated to tow more than 30k lbs. I don't care how they are badged so long as they have similar GVWR and Tow Ratings. Jumping up to a 4500 Ram is going to yield worse results as the engines are derated in that series and it's likely a heavier truck which will handicap it even more. They are using the best configured Ram available which offers very similar ratings to the Ford.

SLE the issue I have with that rag is they don't have a problem using a Ram 1500 against a Ford F-150 with the HD payload/tow package and saying it a fair test. The F-150 has twice the payload and tow rating then the Ram, but when it comes to the Ford F-350 they say the Ram is "overqualified" and it wouldn't be fair. Whatever gets the sheep in to the Ford dealers right?

Seconding, even if Ford uses an F350, the powertrain is the same right down to the rear end ratio, the differences are in frame, suspension components, tires, and maybe brakes (I don't know on that one). The race to the top of the hill wouldn't change. The handling and stopping might however I expect the exhaust brake and programming is the same between them.
OK then why didn't they load the F-350 to it's max and run the Ram? Why because they (Ford) did that on their test track and it didn't work out for them. ALL the manufactures yes Ram included are going to run these test first behind closed test tracks to find out the out come. Do you think Ford, GM or Ram are going to buy trucks and do a blind test in front of the media? No not a snowballs chance in hell.
Next, why is everyone always so hung up on the rear gear ratio. This is simply one component. Nobody mentions tire size, transmission ratios, torque converters, etc. The rear end ratio is only one part of the equation. At the end of the day, the deepest rear end available in Ram's Max Tow configuration is a 4.10 and for ford is a 4.30. Each manufacturer has determined these rear end ratios are what is needed to meet the subsequent rating for each truck. It comes down to a comparison of the two most capable trucks available in stock configuration.

Lastly, the last time this same test was ran (by the so called "ford advertising site"), the Dodge prevailed, Kudos to them for such a good package. Since that time the Ford has seen some changes and this should highlight how well those changes have been implemented and if they truly make a difference. It's obvious that Ford took that last test very seriously, looked at there truck, and made it a point to make some improvements. You can only hope the other manufacturers will do the same.

The fact that the guy that started that mag is now working for Ford calls it's (the magazine) integrity in to question IMO. But hay he did sell it, even though he is still on the broad, so it's all good right. BTW they had no choice but to publish the results from the first test as then let the cat out of the bag before the test was done.

Don