We all know that heavy-duty diesel trucks have massive torque figures. But here’s the catch: those numbers mean little until a heavy trailer is hooked to the hitch. The team at The Fast Lane Truck decided to find out which towing HD truck is quickest when it’s actually put to work. They lined up a Chevy Silverado HD, a Ram 2500, and a Ford F-250 for a series of drag races, each pulling an identical 6,500-pound enclosed trailer.

Duramax vs. Cummins

The first matchup pitted the 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax against the new 2025 Ram 2500 Cummins. While the Ram’s improved 8-speed transmission impressed the hosts, the Chevy’s higher horsepower and 10-speed gearbox proved superior. The Duramax pulled away consistently, winning the race. As host Kase put it, “Look, as important as torque is when you’re pulling a trailer, horsepower wins races.”

Power Stroke vs. Duramax

Next, the Ford F-250 Super Duty and its high-output Power Stroke engine stepped up. With 1,200 lb-ft of torque on tap, Ford’s biggest challenge was traction. The immense power caused some wheel spin, making it difficult to launch cleanly. “It’s like an on-off switch,” Kase said of the throttle. The more manageable Chevy Duramax took advantage, hooking up better and winning the towing portion of the test.

The Goldilocks Verdict

Without the trailers, Ford’s raw power allowed it to post the fastest time of the day once it found grip. However, the towing drag race told a different story.

Andre called the Chevy Duramax the Goldilocks of these three diesels. He also explained, “I think it had just the right amount of power to get it launched consistently.” Its balanced performance made it the undisputed king of the towing drag strip in this comparison.

Quickest Towing HD Truck

Andre and Kase proved that manageable power can be more effective when towing than raw, untamable torque. The Duramax’s ability to consistently apply its power to the pavement gave it the edge over the more powerful but less predictable Ford. If you own any of these trucks, Kase made a reminder to the audience at the end, saying, “All of these trucks tow exceptionally well and none of them are lacking in power or torque.”