Asheville Ford - Which heavy-duty truck is better for towing around Waynesville, NC - the 2027 Ford Super Duty F-350 or 2027 Ram 3500?
For many shoppers around Waynesville, NC, the most important question in a heavy-duty truck comparison is simple: which one is better for towing? The 2027 Ford Super Duty® F-350® and the 2027 Ram 3500 are both serious one-ton pickups, and both can be equipped for demanding trailer work. The difference is that Ford takes the lead in the most important published capability figures from the provided OEM information. When properly equipped, the 2027 Ford Super Duty® offers a best-in-class max available gooseneck towing capacity of 40,000 lbs, while the 2027 Ram 3500 lists a maximum available high-output diesel towing capacity of 36,610 lbs. That gap matters when drivers are pulling heavy equipment, large fifth-wheel campers, livestock trailers, or commercial loads across the grades and curves of Western North Carolina.
The Ford advantage is not only about one number. The available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine delivers 500 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 1,200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Ram’s available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 is also highly capable, with up to 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, but Ford provides more available diesel horsepower and torque based on the supplied specifications. For towing near Waynesville, where roads can transition quickly from town traffic to steep climbs, that extra torque can help a truck feel more confident under load.
How the towing numbers compare
The 2027 Ford Super Duty® lineup offers best-in-class max available towing of 40,000 lbs with a gooseneck setup, along with 35,000 lbs of maximum available fifth-wheel towing and 30,000 lbs of maximum available conventional towing when properly equipped. The Ram 3500 is rated up to 36,610 lbs of maximum available high-output diesel towing capacity and up to 18,150 lbs of maximum gas towing capacity based on the provided Ram information. Both trucks can be impressive when properly configured, but Ford’s highest available gooseneck and conventional numbers create a stronger case for buyers who want headroom for demanding tow jobs.
- Maximum available gooseneck towing: Ford reaches 40,000 lbs when properly equipped, giving it the stronger peak tow rating in this comparison.
- Maximum available diesel torque: Ford offers 1,200 lb-ft from the available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel B20 engine.
- Maximum available payload: Ford lists a best-in-class max available payload of 7,900 lbs, compared with Ram’s maximum gas payload of 7,590 lbs.
Payload deserves attention because towing is not only about the trailer rating. Tongue weight, hitch equipment, passengers, tools, and cargo all affect how much truck capacity remains available. Ford’s best-in-class max available payload of 7,900 lbs gives Super Duty® shoppers a useful advantage, especially for contractors hauling materials or property owners transporting supplies between Waynesville, Asheville, and surrounding mountain communities. Ram’s 7,590-lb maximum gas payload is strong, but Ford’s higher published maximum can offer more flexibility when configured correctly.
Why the Ford transmission matters
The Ford Super Duty® F-350® uses a TorqShift® 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Ram 3500 uses 8-speed automatic transmissions in the configurations described by Ram. A transmission does not make a truck capable by itself, but the extra gear range can help with pulling, climbing, and controlled driving under load. More ratios can allow the truck to keep the engine in a useful power band more often, which is helpful when towing through rolling terrain or handling stop-and-go work routes.
Ford also equips the Super Duty® with Tow/Haul mode, engineered to optimize transmission shift points when carrying heavy loads or pulling a trailer. It can hold gears longer to reduce gear hunting and enhance engine braking on descents, helping maintain speed and reduce strain on the truck’s service brakes. Around Waynesville, where grades can appear quickly on rural roads and highway approaches, that type of calibration is a meaningful benefit.
Technology that helps with trailers
A great towing truck should help before, during, and after the drive. The Ford Super Duty® offers available trailer reverse guidance, available 360-Degree Camera, available PowerScope® trailer tow mirrors, and available head-up display. These features can assist with hitch alignment, backing into a tight site, checking surroundings, and monitoring key information without unnecessary distraction. Available Pro Power Onboard™ also provides up to 2 kW of power through in-bed outlets, which can be useful for tools, lighting, or equipment at a remote job location.
The Ram 3500 also brings useful towing support, including available Trailer Reverse Steering Control, available Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring, available 360° Surround View Camera, and available Digital Rearview Mirror. Ram’s technology package is impressive, but Ford combines its towing tech with higher maximum towing, payload, and diesel torque numbers. For buyers who want both capability and assistance, that combination makes the Ford Super Duty® F-350® especially compelling.
What about comfort and daily driving?
Heavy-duty truck owners around Waynesville often use one pickup for work, family travel, towing, errands, and property maintenance. That makes interior comfort just as important as the spec sheet. Ford offers available SYNC® 4 with a 12" center display, available Ford Connectivity Package features, available head-up display, and premium cabin choices on Lariat®, King Ranch®, and Platinum® models. The cabin feels practical, but not bare, with available features that support productivity during a full day on the move.
Ram is known for a polished interior, with available Uconnect® 5 NAV, available large touchscreen technology, available Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System, and upscale Limited Longhorn® design. If cabin luxury is the only deciding factor, Ram deserves consideration. For most towing-focused shoppers, however, Ford’s interior comfort is more than sufficient, and its stronger published capability gives the Super Duty® a broader advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which truck has the higher maximum available towing capacity?
The Ford Super Duty® has the higher published maximum in the provided information, with best-in-class max available gooseneck towing of 40,000 lbs when properly equipped. The Ram 3500 lists maximum available high-output diesel towing of 36,610 lbs.
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.
Is the Ram 3500 still a capable towing truck?
Yes. The Ram 3500 is a strong heavy-duty pickup with useful towing technology and impressive diesel capability. The advantage for Ford is that the Super Duty® leads in several key maximum figures, including towing, payload, and diesel torque.
Which truck should towing-focused shoppers around Waynesville consider first?
For shoppers focused on maximum capability, the Ford Super Duty® F-350® should be the first choice. Its higher available towing rating, stronger available diesel torque, TorqShift® 10-speed automatic transmission, and available trailering technologies make it exceptionally well suited for demanding work and recreational towing.
Choosing between these trucks depends on how much capability, technology, and everyday comfort matter to your routine. Ram offers strong features and a refined available interior, but Ford delivers the more convincing overall towing package based on the provided OEM data. For drivers around Waynesville, NC who want a truck ready for equipment trailers, campers, jobsite loads, and mountain driving demands, the Ford Super Duty® F-350® is the heavy-duty pickup we would recommend first.