The new 2025 Ram HD pickup truck lineup is finally coming to a dealership near you. Can the latest Ram Cummins turbo-diesel trucks take the fight to the Ford Power Stroke and GM Duramax trucks and win back customers? Let’s dig in and look at how these trucks compare.
Before we see how the new Ram 2500 & 3500 trucks stack up against competition, let’s review the new Ram HD powertrain and drivetrain specs.
2025 Ram HD Lineup
- 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel: 430 hp @ 2,800 rpm / 1,075 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
- Transmission: ZF PowerLine 8-speed (8AP1075) TorqueFlite automatic
- 2 PTOs & PTO can operate while driving
- Can start in 2nd gear under light load conditions.
- 1st gear has a 4.71 to 1 ratio.
- Transfer Case: BW 44-48 with a 2.64 to 1 low range gearing.
- The Cummins is paired up with a 3.42 to 1 rear axle ratio. 3.73 and 4.10 for gas V8 engines.
- The Cummins lowest overal crawl ratio: 42.5 to 1.
Here is how the new Ram 2500 (3/4-ton truck) compares to Ford and Chevrolet/GMC. This comparison is focused on crew cab 4×4 standard bed configurations with the best available turbo-diesel specification.
| Ram HD 2500 Cummins | Ford F-250 Power Stroke | GM HD 2500 Duramax | |
| GVWR | 10,190 lbs | 11,100 lbs | 11,150 lbs |
| Max Payload | 2,450 lbs | 3,684 lbs | 3,387 lbs |
| Max Towing | 19,890 lbs | 22,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
- As you can see, the new Ram HD 2500 keeps its GVWR considerably lower, thus its maximum payload is considerably lower. The maximum tow rating is much closer to the other, but the payload can be an issue when towing near the limit.
Don’t worry! If you need much more payload and towing capability, the Ram HD 3500 is where it’s at. Take a look below. This table is focused on the 3500 series trucks with a crew cab 4×4 standard bed single rear wheel (SRW) configuration.
| Ram HD 3500 Cummins | Ford F-350 Power Stroke | GM HD 3500 Duramax | |
| GVWR | 11,800 lbs | 12,000 lbs | 12,100 lbs |
| Max Payload | 3,970 lbs | 3,717 lbs | 4,180 lbs |
| Max Towing | 23,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
As you can see, the Ram HD 3500 SRW Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), payload, and towing specs are much more competitive with Ford and GM. Now, let’s take a look at the big duallies!
Once again this comparison is about diesel-powered 4×4 versions of these trucks.
| *(2-door) | Ram HD 3500 DRW | Ford F-350 DRW | GM HD 3500 DRW |
| Max Payload | 6,050 lbs | 6,510 lbs | 6,209 lbs |
| Max Towing | 36,610 lbs | 35,000 lbs | 31,500 lbs |
Here are the crew cab 4×4 duallies.
| *(4-door) | Ram HD 3500 DRW | Ford F-350 DRW | GM HD 3500 DRW |
| Max Payload | 5,530 lbs | 5,865 lbs | 5,667 lbs |
| Max Towing | 33,890 lbs | 35,000 lbs | 31,000 lbs |
As you can see, the numbers are very close and very competitive once you get to the 3500 SRW and DRW trucks. The question that remains is: which truck performs better in the real world when pushed near its limit. Which one is the most efficient pickup truck when towing? Which one accelerates the quickest and stops best?
We will begin publishing videos that answer these questions starting next week.
Please join Kase and I in the video below as we take a close look at a 2025 Ram HD 2500 Laramie Sport crew cab 4×4. Just take a look at what is behind it on a trailer.
