Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood - Which Heavy-Duty Truck Is Better for Towing Around Lakewood, CO - Ford Super Duty F-350 or Ram 3500?
When shoppers compare a Ford Super Duty® F-350® and a Ram 3500, the most common question is simple: which one is better for towing? The answer depends on configuration, trailer type, payload needs, drivetrain, and how the truck will be used day to day. Still, when looking at the highest available capability figures provided by each manufacturer, the Ford Super Duty® F-350® has a clear edge. Ford reports up to 40,000 lbs of best-in-class max available gooseneck towing, up to 35,000 lbs of fifth-wheel towing, and up to 30,000 lbs of conventional towing when properly equipped. Ram lists a maximum available High-Output diesel towing capacity of 36,610 lbs. That is a strong number, but it does not match Ford’s top rating.
For drivers around Lakewood, towing is rarely just a straight-line task. Many local owners pull equipment across the Denver metro area, tow campers toward the foothills, or haul materials between residential neighborhoods and commercial job sites. Elevation changes, highway merging, tight parking areas, and frequent stop-and-go traffic can make towing feel more demanding. That is where the Super Duty® F-350® makes a persuasive case. It combines high output, useful trailering technology, strong payload ratings, and a cabin designed to help drivers stay organized while managing a large truck and trailer combination.
How Do the Maximum Towing Numbers Compare?
Ford’s maximum available towing advantage is one of the biggest reasons many shoppers lean toward the Super Duty® F-350®. Properly equipped Super Duty® trucks can tow up to 40,000 lbs with a gooseneck setup. The Ram 3500, when properly equipped with its available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6, reaches up to 36,610 lbs. Both are serious heavy-duty ratings, but Ford gives drivers more headroom at the top end.
That added headroom can matter even if a driver does not plan to tow at the maximum rating every day. A higher ceiling may allow more flexibility when choosing a trailer, adding cargo, carrying passengers, or planning for future business needs. For example, a contractor who currently tows a skid steer may later upgrade to a heavier equipment trailer. An RV owner may start with a mid-size fifth-wheel and eventually move into a larger trailer. Choosing the truck with the stronger maximum available towing capacity can help protect that long-term flexibility.
- Ford gooseneck towing: Up to 40,000 lbs when properly equipped.
- Ford fifth-wheel towing: Up to 35,000 lbs when properly equipped.
- Ford conventional towing: Up to 30,000 lbs when properly equipped.
- Ram maximum available High-Output diesel towing: Up to 36,610 lbs when properly equipped.
Why Does Torque Matter When Towing?
Torque is a major part of the towing conversation because it helps a truck get heavy loads moving and maintain confidence under strain. The available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine in the Super Duty® produces up to 1,200 lb-ft of torque and 500 horsepower. Ram’s available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 delivers up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque and 430 horsepower. Both engines are engineered for demanding work, but Ford again leads in the published maximum output figures.
For Colorado drivers, torque becomes especially noticeable when climbing grades, merging with a trailer, or maintaining momentum with a heavy load. A truck that feels composed under load can reduce driver fatigue and make the entire towing experience feel more controlled. Ford pairs its gas and diesel powertrains with the TorqShift® 10-speed automatic transmission, which gives the truck a broad gear range for managing power delivery. Tow/Haul mode further supports control by modifying shift behavior, holding gears longer when needed, and enhancing engine braking on descents.
Payload Is Part of the Towing Equation
Towing capacity gets most of the attention, but payload is just as important. Payload affects how much weight the truck can carry in the bed and cabin, including tools, cargo, passengers, hitch weight, and accessories. Ford reports up to 7,900 lbs of best-in-class maximum available gas payload and up to 6,935 lbs of best-in-class maximum available diesel payload when properly equipped. Ram lists up to 7,590 lbs of maximum gas payload and up to 6,050 lbs of maximum diesel payload.
That difference can be meaningful for buyers who use a truck for both towing and hauling. A fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer places weight in the bed, and that weight counts toward payload. Add a crew, toolboxes, fuel cans, job materials, or recreational gear, and the numbers become more important. The Super Duty® F-350® advantage is not only about pulling a trailer. It is about carrying the right combination of people, gear, and hitch weight with confidence.
What Technology Helps With Real-World Towing?
A strong truck should also make towing easier to manage. Ford offers helpful available towing and visibility technology such as PowerScope® trailer tow mirrors, 360-Degree Camera, Trailer Reverse Guidance, Ford Truck Bed Camera, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and a head-up display. These features can help when lining up to a trailer, checking surroundings, changing lanes, backing into a campsite, or moving through crowded commercial areas.
Ram also offers useful trailering features, including available Trailer Reverse Steering Control, Trailer Tow Pages, available Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring, Digital Rearview Mirror, and available 360° Surround View Camera. The distinction is that Ford combines these technologies with higher maximum available towing, payload, and diesel torque ratings. For many buyers, that blend of capability and support makes the Super Duty® F-350® feel more complete.
- Start with the actual loaded trailer weight, not the empty trailer rating.
- Confirm hitch type, because gooseneck, fifth-wheel, and conventional ratings differ.
- Account for passengers, cargo, tools, accessories, and hitch weight.
- Choose the axle, cab, bed, drivetrain, and engine configuration that matches the job.
- Use available camera, mirror, and trailer technologies to improve confidence.
Is the Ford Super Duty® F-350® Better for Work and Recreation?
For many Lakewood-area drivers, the answer is yes, especially when the truck needs to serve more than one role. The same pickup may tow a work trailer during the week, haul materials on a Saturday, and pull a large camper toward the mountains. The Super Duty® F-350® is built around that kind of versatility. Available Pro Power Onboard™ up to 2 kW can help power tools and equipment away from a fixed outlet. Bed access steps make it easier to retrieve cargo. Available off-road packages expand confidence beyond pavement. Interior features like SYNC® 4, available Connected Navigation, and an available interior work surface help support productivity between stops.
The Ram 3500 has appealing strengths, including an available 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, upscale interior trims, available RamBox® Cargo Management System, and available onboard power up to 2.4 kilowatts. Those features are worth considering. However, the Ford advantage becomes clearer when shoppers prioritize towing numbers, payload potential, diesel torque, transmission gearing, and integrated towing confidence. If the question is which truck gives the most capability-focused answer, Ford is the stronger choice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which truck has the higher maximum available towing capacity?
The Ford Super Duty® F-350® has the higher published maximum available towing capacity, with up to 40,000 lbs of gooseneck towing when properly equipped. The Ram 3500 lists up to 36,610 lbs of maximum available High-Output diesel towing when properly equipped.
Which truck has more available diesel torque?
The Ford Super Duty® offers up to 1,200 lb-ft of torque with the available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine. The Ram 3500 offers up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque with the available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6.
Which truck is better for drivers who tow through Colorado elevation changes?
Both trucks are capable, but the Super Duty® F-350® has an advantage thanks to its higher available diesel torque, higher maximum towing rating, TorqShift® 10-speed automatic transmission, and Tow/Haul mode. Those factors can help when climbing, descending, and maintaining control with a heavy trailer.
Should I choose the Ford even if I do not tow at the maximum rating?
Yes, it can still be a smart choice. Extra capability provides useful margin for cargo, passengers, future trailers, and changing work needs. A properly configured Super Duty® F-350® can give drivers room to grow while still offering comfort and technology for everyday use.
For shoppers focused on towing around Lakewood, CO, the Ford Super Duty® F-350® stands out as the more capable and better-rounded heavy-duty pickup. Ram brings strong features and a respected diesel engine, but Ford leads in the key numbers many towing buyers care about most. If your truck needs to pull confidently, haul seriously, and support work or recreation with advanced technology, the Super Duty® F-350® deserves the first test drive.