Ram 2500 vs Silverado 2500HD vs F-250

Updated October 11, 2026 · Published by Swant Graber Auto Group, Barron, WI · Figures from Ram, Chevrolet, and Ford

2026 heavy-duty specs side by side

Towing: which 3/4-ton tows the most?

The Silverado 2500 HD has the highest published 2500-class conventional rating here (22,420 lb), with the F-250 close behind at 22,000 lb. That 420-lb gap is smaller than the spread between two configurations of the same truck. In Ford's own F-250 tables, the same 6.7L diesel ranges from 15,500 to 22,000 lb depending on cab, bed, and drive. Mini-verdict: pick the configuration first, then the brand.

Diesel power: Cummins vs Duramax vs Power Stroke

Ram's High-Output 6.7L Cummins makes 430 hp, and Ram calls its 1,075 lb-ft the best-in-class base diesel torque. Chevrolet's 2026 Duramax 6.6L makes 470 hp and 975 lb-ft with a 10-speed Allison automatic; the 2027 Silverado HD moves to an 8.3L Duramax (what changed). Ford's 6.7L High Output Power Stroke makes 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft, and the H.O. engine appears in Ford's 2026 F-250 towing tables. Mini-verdict: Ford has the biggest numbers; Ram has the strongest base diesel.

Gas engines for plowing, hunting, and the lake

Many Barron County trucks never pull more than a boat, a camper, or a fish house. Chevrolet lists 401 hp, 464 lb-ft, and up to 19,080 lb for the Silverado HD's 6.6L gas V8. Ford's 2026 F-250 offers a 6.8L V8 and a 7.3L V8, with up to 18,200 lb conventional in Ford's tables; for 2027, Ford says the 7.3L becomes the standard gas engine (what changed). Ram offers a 6.4L HEMI V8 in the 2500. Mini-verdict: a gas HD costs less up front and still tows more than most local trailers weigh.

Winter work and plowing

Ram lists Snowplow Prep as standard on the 2026 Ram 2500 and 3500, including a 220-amp alternator and prep wiring, plus an available transfer-case skid plate on 4x4 models. We didn't find plow-prep equipment listed on the Chevrolet Silverado HD page or in Ford's towing guide, so before you order a plow for a Silverado HD or Super Duty, ask us to check the factory order guide for that truck. Mini-verdict: Ram is the simplest choice if you plow.

Which one should you pick?

• You plow every winter: Ram 2500 (Snowplow Prep standard).
• You want the highest published 3/4-ton conventional rating: Silverado 2500 HD (22,420 lb), with the F-250 within 420 lb.
• You pull a gooseneck: F-250 lists 23,000 lb gooseneck in Ford's guide.
• You want maximum diesel output: F-250 with the 6.7L H.O. Power Stroke.
• You tow under about 15,000 lb and want a lower price: any of the three with gas; compare the window stickers.

How to match a heavy-duty truck to your trailer

1. Weigh what you tow. Use your trailer's loaded weight, not its empty weight. The trailer's GVWR on its VIN plate is the safe planning number.
2. Check tongue or pin weight. Ford's 2026 towing guide uses 10% of loaded trailer weight for conventional trailers and 15% for fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers. That weight comes out of the truck's payload.
3. Read the truck's labels. Payload, GVWR, and axle ratings are on the Safety Compliance Certification Label in the driver's door jamb. Passengers, cargo, and tongue weight all count against them.
4. Match the exact configuration. Max towing figures apply to one specific cab, bed, axle ratio, drivetrain, and engine. Ask us for the rating on the stock number you're considering.
5. Drive them back to back. Swant Graber Motors (Ram, Chevrolet) and Swant Graber Ford sit across Highway 8 from each other in Barron, so you can drive all three in one visit.