The battle between Ram, Ford, and General Motors in the heavy-duty truck segment is as old as the trucks themselves—and just as fierce. Every truck enthusiast has their favorite, but when it comes to real-world ride quality and performance across different scenarios, few opinions carry more weight than those from Cole at CJC Off-Road.

Stock Ride Quality: Ram 2500 Takes the Lead

Starting with how these rigs feel straight off the showroom floor, Cole doesn’t mince words—the Ram 2500 is the clear winner. Thanks to its coil spring rear suspension, it delivers a ride quality that, in his words, will “run circles around the other options.”

In contrast, both Ford and GM rely on traditional leaf-spring setups, which result in similar ride characteristics. However, Cole notes that modern Ford trucks have made strides, especially up front, where newer designs provide much-improved comfort despite the solid front axle.

One outlier in the Ram lineup is the Ram 3500, which retains leaf springs in the rear and rides significantly stiffer from the factory than the 2500.

Suspension Mods: A Game of Trade-Offs

Once you step into the world of modified suspensions, things get more nuanced. Cole points out that basic upgrades like leveling kits can make all three brands ride decently well on pavement. But when you move up to high-end, no-compromise suspension systems, Ram once again shines.

“If you want the absolute softest ride possible,” Cole says, “the Ram 2500 with a premium suspension setup is your truck.”

Off-Road Performance: A Tight Race Between Ram and Ford

When the conversation shifts to serious off-road performance, the field levels out a bit. According to Cole, Ram and Ford are nearly neck-and-neck, with Ford pulling slightly ahead thanks to the availability of specific high-travel, bolt-on suspension systems that cater to aggressive off-road use.

As for GM, Cole notes that while their trucks can be tuned for solid fire-road performance, they fall short in more extreme conditions. Matching the capabilities of a Ford or Ram in those scenarios usually means cutting into the factory front end and going full custom.

Towing and Payload: Leaf Springs Still Rule

Ride comfort is great—until you’ve got a heavy trailer or a loaded bed. And here’s where the Ram 2500’s plush coil springs become a limitation.

“While that platform tends to be the softest… you do give up a lot in terms of towing,” Cole explains. The coil springs simply don’t offer the same load-handling capacity as the leaf-spring setups found in the Ram 3500, Ford Super Duty, or GM’s HD lineup.

For those hauling heavy gear, especially slide-in campers, Cole’s recommendation is crystal clear: “Don’t go with the coil platform… go with either a Ram 3500, a Ford, or a GM. You’ll thank us later.”

Bottom Line: No One-Size-Fits-All Winner

Cole’s analysis highlights a key truth in the Ram vs. Ford vs. GM debate: there’s no universal winner. Instead, the best truck depends on your mission. If you prioritize on-road comfort, the Ram 2500 is tough to beat. If extreme off-road capability is your jam, Ford’s bolt-on aftermarket options give it an edge. And if towing and payload are your top concerns, leaf-sprung workhorses from Ford, GM, or Ram 3500 should be on your radar.