Pretty much every truck these days claims to be the toughest around, able to power through tasks and take on the most difficult workday like it’s nothing. One truck is even branded around it, showcasing that it’s Built Ford Tough, but of course, who can blame Ford when it’s referring to the F-150? When it comes to being tough, there’s a reason why the F-150 has been the most trusted workhorse on the scene for over 45 years, but there are some rivals that beg to differ, Ram being one of them. The Ram 1500 doesn’t just showcase handsome styling and a rugged build; it’s also ready to tackle the day and more than equipped to handle tough jobs. Taking a closer look at the 2022 Ford F-150 vs the 2022 Ram 1500, although the Ram 1500 claims to be a “True Power Player” as stated on its website, can it take on the F-150 when it comes to true physical toughness?
Towing & Hauling Talent
Whether you’re towing loads to and from the job site or pulling a camper down the highway on a family adventure, the vehicle you choose needs to be able to handle it. Towing and hauling can tell you everything you need to know about a truck, and if you’re wondering who the true superstar is in this area, it’s no surprise the F-150 takes the lead. With best-in-class available towing ratings of 14,000 lbs with its turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the F-150 sails past its competition when towing is involved.
Unfortunately for the Ram 1500, the best it can do is 12,750 lbs with its 5.7L Hemi V8 with eTorque. Although both trucks offer a spectacular selection of engines, the F-150 arsenal is simply more impressive, and even its hybrid powertrain (which Ram is lacking) is able to tow up to 12,700 lbs without issue.
Sometimes, it’s not towing that is on the agenda, it’s hauling, and the F-150 once again comes out ahead, with best-in-class available payload capacity. Its powerful 5.0L V8 can take on up to 3,325 lbs of payload, making it one of the best trucks around when you’re looking to load up for a day at work or the next adventure. In addition, the other engines available in the F-150 arsenal far surpass many of its rivals, from its 2.7L EcoBoost Turbo V6, which can accommodate up to 2,480 lbs, to its 3.5L V6, which can tackle up to 3,250 lbs. There’s seemingly nothing the F-150 can’t handle when it comes to payload, and the proof is in the numbers.
The Ram 1500 falls short again. The best it can do in the payload department is 2,300 lbs, which is much less than the majority of the engines found in Ford’s lineup. There’s no better way to prove that the F-150 is stronger with everyday tasks than by analyzing the numbers, and it’s evident that the F-150 pulls way ahead of the Ram 1500 here. Towing and hauling are staple jobs of a tough pickup, and it’s clear that no pickup is as tough as the F-150 with these tasks.
Supreme Durability
Although the numbers don’t lie, they’re still not enough to exactly prove that one truck is stronger than the other. You must also take into consideration how the truck is built and what reinforcements it showcases to allow it to stand up to the elements, as well as everything it’s being put through. Ford wasted no time taking this aspect to new levels by designing the 2022 F-150 with an even stronger build than ever before. From its high-strength, military-grade aluminum-alloy body to its reinforced steel frame, the F-150 boasts the toughness needed to stand up to any task that comes its way. Its fully boxed frame features ultra-strong materials, allowing for increased rigidity, while its lightweight nature allows it to perform at its best.
If you thought that’s all the F-150 offered in terms of durability, think again. Its bed is one of the sturdiest around, also made of high-strength aluminum so that it can handle any type of payload dropped inside of it. The Ford F-150 is said to be torture-tested, and we believe it, with all of the durability and strength that exudes from this mesmerizing machine. Plus, when it’s time to take the F-150 off-road, its FX4 Off-Road Package adds in off-road-tuned shocks, a reinforced skid plate, and more tough elements, designed to add even more strength to this rugged truck.
As for the Ram 1500, there’s no doubt that it’s an absolutely beautiful truck, but is it tough? From power-folding mirrors to power steps, stunning LED lights to sculpted curves, the Ram 1500 is cosmetically engaging. It, too, is constructed from a durable steel; however, it’s apparent from all of the pizzazz that surrounds it that it’s more eager to embark on an easy drive down the highway, as opposed to a rugged day on the job site. As far as toughness is concerned, Ford has engineered the F-150 to be one of the most durable around. It’s clear from its strong frame and high-strength materials that when a job needs to get accomplished, the F-150 won’t hesitate to step in and finish it.
Helpful Work Features
Chances are, those who are looking for a strong truck are looking for one because of the tasks that they need to complete in the day. The construction and manufacturing industries, especially, turn to tough trucks in order to complete more tasks during the exhausting workday, and if you ever pay close attention to a job site, you’ll find that the F-150 has a prominent spot there. That’s because of all of the strength and durability that it exudes, as well as the lineup of work features designed to make any job easier. From an interior work surface that folds flat to accommodate laptops and other office devices to an exterior tailgate work surface to spread out construction plans and more for the day, the F-150 thinks of everything to make the workday fly by. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the tougher truck, but it sure is helpful when hard work is on the schedule for the day.
What we really appreciate about the F-150 is the added features designed to make any task a breeze, including Onboard Scales, which monitor payload capacity to help prevent overloading. We also like the additional trailering tools, designed to make hitching up any type of haul effortless, including a Dynamic Hitch Assist to make lining up the F-150 with a trailer easier and a Smart Hitch to distribute trailer weight efficiently. A Pro Power Onboard generator also helps when tools and other necessities need to be powered up for the day. The 2022 Ram 1500 does offer a multifunction tailgate, which is a bonus, as well as a cargo management system in its bed. These are nice to have for the job site; however, we’d like to see a few more features designed for work instead of play.
Which Is the Tougher Truck?
By now, you’ve probably discovered the theme here, and while the Ram 1500 is definitely a beauty, there’s no competing with the F-150. It tows and hauls more than its competitors while offering added features designed for hard workers. It also showcases an incredibly durable frame and build, which further enhances its appeal with its loyal following. The Ram 1500 doesn’t quite stack up when it comes to power, and although it’s durable, it pays more attention to comfort features rather than features designed for the job site or any other tough environment. Both trucks are crowd pleasers; however, when it comes to true toughness, there’s nothing that can surpass the F-150 and its work-oriented nature, ruggedness, and can-do attitude.
