The 2015 Ford Super Duty trucks get an upgraded version of the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel. This motor is getting a bigger turbocharged, updated injectors, and an exhaust brake among other things. The output is bumped up to 440 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque. Can it beat the 2015 Ram 3500 HD on the same hill and with the same extra heavy load? (We tried to get a GM dually for this test, but one was not available.)
We tested the 2015 Chevy Silverado Duramax dually on the same Ike Gauntlet loop, but it was towing a different trailer setup that weighed about 3,100 pounds less.
This 2015 Ford F-350 Crew Cab King Ranch 4×4 dually is rated at a maximum 23,500 lbs of towing capacity. We are towing the 1942 M2 Halftrack? It looks cool, but it also weighs nearly 14,000 lbs. According to the CAT scales – the total weight of the Halftrack and trailer was 21,600 lbs. Gross Combined Weight Rating came out to be almost 31,000 lbs. Let the games begin!
In the end, the numbers speak loudly. Just check the reported MPG and times up the hill in the table below!
| 2015 Ford F-350 | 2015 Ram 3500 | 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 | ||
| Model | CrewCab King Ranch 4×4 | CrewCab Laramie LongHorn 4×4 | Crew Cab LTZ 4×4 | |
| Estimated $ | $67,810 | $69,915 | $65,310 | |
| Engine | 6.7-liter V8 | 6.7-liter I6 | 6.6-liter V8 | |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 440 / 860 | 385 / 865 | 397 / 765 | |
| Payload (lbs) | 6,460 | 5,680 | 5,205 | |
| Tow Rating (lbs) | 23,500 (3.73 axle) | 29,010 (4.10 axle) | 22,600 (3.73 axle) | |
| Test Load (trailer + cargo + ppl) | 22,350 lbs | 22,350 lbs | 19,250 | |
| Suspension Sag | 3 in | 4 in | 0.5 in | |
| Ambient Temp F | 48 F | 40 F | 60 F | |
| Relative Humidity | 30% | 40% | 25% | |
| Barometric Pressure (at top) | 29.76 inHg | 29.76 inHg | 29.76 inHg | |
| Calculated Power Loss | N / A | N / A | N / A | |
| Up: Time | 9:44.88 | 10:09.43 | 9:59.55 | |
| Up: MPG | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
| Up: Interior dB | N / A | N / A | 69 dB | |
| Up: Transmission Temp | normal | normal | normal | |
Take a look at this TFLtruck Ike Gauntlet video, featuring the 2015 Ford F-350 Dually with the new Power Stroke motor.
Also, check out Ike Gauntlet results for all trucks.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been writing and reporting at TFL since 2011.
