Compare | Farmington, MO
Hay's in and the cattle trailer is parked for winter, so it's a good time to think about the next work truck. Around St. Francois County, that talk usually comes down to two heavy duty pickups.
Ask around at the feed store in Farmington or a job site in Fredericktown and you'll hear strong opinions about heavy duty trucks. In the three quarter ton class, it's mostly the Ford Super Duty F-250 against the Ram 2500.
Either one will pull a loaded gooseneck all day. You can get both as a bare bones work truck or a loaded family hauler. The differences are in the engines, how they ride empty and the towing tech, and that's what we'll walk through here, no spec table.
Quick answer: The Ford Super Duty F-250 offers gas V8 or Power Stroke diesel power, including a High Output diesel rated at 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft, plus trailering tools like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Onboard Scales, so it suits heavy towing and fleet work. The Ram 2500 pairs a HEMI V8 or Cummins diesel with a coil spring rear suspension that rides smoother when empty, so it suits owners who drive unloaded most of the week.
Ford Super Duty F-250 diesel
High Output Power Stroke: 500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft
Ram 2500 diesel
Cummins High Output: 430 hp, 1,075 lb-ft
Rear suspension
Ford: leaf springs; Ram: coil springs
In this post
How Do the Ford Super Duty F-250 and Ram 2500 Engines Compare?
You've got more ways to build a Ford Super Duty F-250. Gas buyers choose between Ford's V8s, including the 7.3L V8. Diesel buyers get the 6.7L Power Stroke V8, including a High Output version rated at 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. Every Super Duty uses a 10 speed TorqShift automatic.
Ram keeps the 2500 lineup tighter. The gas engine is a 6.4L HEMI V8 rated at 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft. The diesel is the 6.7L Cummins inline six in High Output form, rated at 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft, paired with an 8 speed TorqueFlite HD automatic. The Cummins has a loyal following around here, and we get why.
If the truck pulls a stock trailer once a week and sits the rest of the time, a gas V8 on either side keeps buying and maintaining it simpler. Towing heavy every day is different. That's when the diesel earns its keep.

Which Truck Makes Hooking Up and Towing Easier?
Towing ratings on both trucks move a lot with cab, bed, axle, engine and hitch. Compare the specific trucks you're considering instead of brochure maximums. The bigger difference is in the tools that make hooking up and towing easier.
The Ford Super Duty F-250 has a long list of available trailering features:
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist: backs the truck up and lines the hitch ball up with the trailer for you.
- Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch: estimates the weight in the bed and gives tongue weight guidance.
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist: lets you steer a trailer in reverse with a knob.
- Blind Spot Information System for fifth wheel and gooseneck: watches beside the trailer, not just the truck.
- Trailer Navigation: plans routes based on the trailer's size and weight.
The Ram 2500 has its own set, with a 360 degree camera, trailer reverse steering control, power telescoping tow mirrors and trailer tire pressure and brake monitoring. Both trucks can be ordered ready for a fifth wheel or gooseneck.
Compare the specific trucks you're considering instead of brochure maximums.
Farmington driver tip
If you back a gooseneck into a tight barn lot or a muddy field gate, spend ten minutes with the trailer tools on a test drive. Hitching up by yourself on a cold morning is when Pro Trailer Hitch Assist starts to look pretty good.
Which Rides Better on Gravel and Back Roads?
Out back, they're built differently. The Ram 2500 uses a five link coil spring rear suspension, and you can get rear air suspension that levels the truck when it's loaded. Empty, on a washboard county road, a coil spring truck generally rides smoother.
The Ford Super Duty F-250 sticks with leaf springs, the setup many farmers and contractors trust for heavy, repeated loads and for mounting upfit bodies. Empty, it rides firmer than the Ram. Put a gooseneck on it or a flatbed full of fence posts and it settles right down.
For rough ground, Ford offers the Tremor Off-Road Package with a Dana front axle and limited slip differential, 35 inch tires and off road tuned suspension. Ram builds the 2500 Power Wagon as its factory off road model. Either one will handle a muddy pasture better than a standard truck.
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Which Truck Fits a Farm, Business or Fleet?
If the truck's going to work, there's more to it than the truck. The Ford Super Duty F-250 offers Pro Power Onboard with 2.0 kW of exportable power for tools and lights, an embedded 5G modem, and Ford Pro Telematics for owners who want to track trucks and maintenance across a fleet.
Sam Scism Ford runs a commercial fleet department led by Commercial Fleet Manager Matt Eaton. They work with farms, contractors and city and county fleets across Southeast Missouri, and they can set up a Super Duty with a service, utility, flatbed or dump body, shelving, ladder racks or a liftgate. They also handle factory orders, and commercial loans and leases go through our Finance Center. See what the commercial department handles.
Ram has a couple things work buyers like too. There's the RamBox bed storage option, and an available 14.5 inch touchscreen in the cab.

How Do Warranty and Local Service Compare?
Ram made a strong move on coverage this year. It offers a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty to the original retail owner on most 2026 Ram trucks, including the 2500. Fleet and commercial buyers don't qualify, and later owners get a shorter term. Ford's factory powertrain coverage on the Super Duty is 5 years or 60,000 miles, and Power Stroke diesel engine parts are covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles.
Buying here changes that math. Every new Ford we sell, including a Super Duty, comes with Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the truck, regardless of miles, with no deductible, as long as you follow the customary maintenance in the agreement and keep records. It's a dealer plan, not a factory warranty, so ask us how it fits the way you use the truck.
And service is right here in town. Our Ford trained technicians work on Super Duty trucks at 5019 Flat River Road, and Ford Mobile Service can handle routine work at your farm or shop depending on distance and availability. You can book through the Ford app or call 573-430-1693.
So Which Heavy Duty Truck Fits Your Work?
Start with how many days a week the truck's loaded. Then think about whether it'll ever carry an upfit body.
Fits you if
Ford Super Duty F-250
- You tow heavy and want the High Output Power Stroke diesel
- Hitching alone matters and you want Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Onboard Scales
- You need an upfit body, Pro Power Onboard or fleet telematics
- You want a choice of gas V8s, including the 7.3L
Fits you if
Ram 2500
- You drive empty most days and want a softer coil spring ride
- You have your heart set on a Cummins inline six
- You want rear air suspension or the Power Wagon off road model
- A long factory powertrain warranty for a retail purchase matters most
To see trims, packages and equipment for the current truck, check our 2026 Ford Super Duty F-250 research page, then come drive one with your own trailer hooked up.
Warranty Forever
Every new Ford and most used vehicles sold at Sam Scism Ford include Warranty Forever at no charge. Listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts are covered for as long as you own the vehicle, regardless of miles, with no deductible. Keep up with the customary maintenance and records. See the dealer for details.
How it worksEngines and Power
Which has more torque, the Ford Super Duty F-250 or the Ram 2500?
The High Output Power Stroke available in the F-250 is rated at 1,200 lb-ft, while the Ram 2500's High Output Cummins is rated at 1,075 lb-ft. Either one's plenty for farm towing.
What gas engines does the Ford Super Duty offer?
Super Duty buyers can choose from Ford's gas V8s, including the 7.3L, depending on trim. If you only tow now and then, gas keeps the cost of buying and maintaining it down.
Is the Cummins the only diesel in the Ram 2500?
The Ram 2500 uses the 6.7L Cummins High Output inline six as its diesel, rated at 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft, with an 8 speed automatic.
Towing and Hauling
How much can a Ford Super Duty F-250 tow?
Ratings depend on cab, bed, engine, axle and hitch type, so the answer varies truck to truck. Our sales team can pull the rating for any specific F-250 on the lot.
What is Pro Trailer Hitch Assist?
It's an available Super Duty feature. You hold a button and the truck backs up to the trailer and lines the ball up with the coupler.
Can I order a Super Duty ready for a gooseneck?
You can order fifth wheel and gooseneck prep from the factory. With a custom order you pick the exact cab, bed, engine and towing equipment.
Ride and Off Road
Why does the Ram 2500 ride smoother when empty?
It uses a five link coil spring rear suspension instead of leaf springs, and coil springs tend to soak up bumps better without a load.
Does Ford make an off road Super Duty?
The Tremor Off-Road Package adds a Dana front axle with a limited slip differential, 35 inch tires and off road tuned suspension.
Are leaf springs better for heavy loads?
Many farm and fleet owners prefer leaf springs for repeated heavy loads and upfit bodies. Coil and air setups carry weight fine too, so it comes down to how you use the truck.
Warranty and Service
Does Ram have a longer warranty than Ford?
Ram offers a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty to original retail owners on most 2026 trucks, excluding fleet buyers. Sam Scism Ford adds Warranty Forever powertrain coverage on every new Ford it sells.
Does Warranty Forever cover a farm truck?
Warranty Forever applies to every new Ford sold at Sam Scism Ford when you follow the customary maintenance and keep records. Ask us how the agreement handles the way you use yours.
Can Ford Mobile Service come to my farm?
Mobile Service technicians can do oil and filter changes, brakes, batteries, fluids and other routine work at your location, depending on distance and availability.
Buying and Fleet
Does Sam Scism Ford have a commercial fleet department?
Our commercial team, led by Commercial Fleet Manager Matt Eaton, handles Super Duty, F-150, Transit and chassis cab trucks for farms, trades and municipal fleets across Southeast Missouri.
Can you install a flatbed or service body on a Super Duty?
We arrange upfits including service, utility, flatbed and dump bodies, shelving, ladder racks and liftgates. Tell us what the truck's going to do and we'll spec it from there.
Can I trade in my current truck toward a Super Duty?
We appraise trucks of any make and condition, including ones with a loan balance. Get an offer online, then we'll finish the appraisal at the store.