2010 Ford F250 vs. 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Review

2010 Ford F250 vs. 2010 Dodge Ram 2500: Comparison Review

Among the top pickup trucks in the world in sales and popularity are the Ram 2500 and the Ford F250. Let’s take a look at some the features that make these two 2010 model year vehicles top choices.

Ram 2500

The 2010 Ram’s gas engine offerings are:

• HEMI 5.7 liter V-8 that produces 390 horsepower at 407 lb·ft of torque;
• Magnum V-8 that puts out 310 horsepower at 330 lb·ft of torque;
• 3.7 litter Magnum V-6, which produces 215 hp and 235 lb·ft of torque.

Also available is a straight-six 6.7 liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel, which produces 350 horsepower and 650 lb·ft of torque. Transmission choices are a 4-, 5-, or 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual.

Featured on the Cummins-powered Ram 2500 trucks is a diesel exhaust brake system. The manufacturer claims this system brakes better and saves on brake wear. Here’s how it works: When the exhaust inlet closes, exhaust gases that would normally go through the turbo charger remain in the engine. This builds up backpressure, which slows down the engine and thus slows the drivetrain.

The Ram 2500 is available in three cab configurations. Choose from regular cab, crew cab or mega® cab. The regular cab seats three people. The crew cab has four full-size doors and seats six people; the mega cab also has the full-sized doors, with the same seating capacity, but according to Chrysler, it has the largest interior volume of any cab on the market. Order a 2010 Ram 2500 with a 6-foot, four-inch box; or 8-foot box, and you can order the box with chrome handholds. The tailgate is sculpted for best airflow. Lift assist, which helps you lower and raise the tailgate, is standard on the Ram 2500. Top towing capacity for the 2010 Ram 2500 is 13,450 pounds.

Ford F250

The 2010 Ford F250 standard gas powerplants are the 5.4 L V-8, which produces 300 horespower at 365 lb· ft. of torque or the 6.8 L V-10, which produces 362 horsepower at 457 lb· ft. of torque. Both are three-valve engines with electronic fuel-injection and a single overhead cam.

Also available is the 6.4L Power Stroke® V-8 Turbo Diesel Engine. It produces 350 horsepower and 650 lb· ft. of torque. This diesel engine uses “clean diesel technology,” which means the engine burns ultra-low sulfur fuel and has a filter that traps soot particles. Ford claims low soot makes the emissions system last longer. Ford also states the engine emits about the same amount of particles as a similar-sized gas engine producing as much power. Transmissions available are the 6-speed manual overdrive transmission or a 5-speed automatic with overdrive and “tow/haul mode.”

Models for the Ford F250 include the XL, XLT, the Lariat, and the Cabella’s. A handy option on all models is a tailgate step. This step a makes it easy to step into the bed area of the Ford F250 and, when not in use, is integrated into the tailgate. You can order the Ford F250 with either a 6 and three-quarter foot bed or an 8 foot bed. Towing capacities are between 9200 pounds and 12,500 pounds depending on a number of factors including engine type and size; axle ratio; manual versus automatic transmission; and regular, super or crew cab.

Both of the vehicles offer a slew of technologies, including rear video backup cameras, voice activated communications, and on-board navigation systems.

Which One?

There are many questions to ponder when deciding on a truck. For example, what are your towing requirements? Do you prefer clean diesel? Do you only require a V-6 in your truck? What are your cab configuration desires? And how many passengers? After you do the research and discover your true truck needs, you can make a sound purchase decision between these two great trucks, the Ram 2500 and the Ford F250.