All pickup trucks are getting more and more capable. This is especially the case with the heavy duty one-ton pickups. This 2015 Ram 3500 HD is rated at a maximum 29,010 lbs of towing capacity. What kind of weight can we tow to challenge these beasts on the extreme Ike Gauntlet? How about 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. That should be good! Right?
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 3500 HD Crew Cab Dually 4×4 is powered by the high output 6.7L I6 Cummins that makes 385 horsepower and 865 lb-ft of torque.
In the end, the numbers speak loudly. Just check the reported MPG and times up the hill in the table below!
| 2015 Ram 3500 | 2015 Ford F-350 | ||
| Model | CrewCab Laramie LongHorn 4×4 | CrewCab King Ranch 4×4 | |
| Estimated $ | $69,915 | $67,810 | |
| Engine | 6.7-liter I6 | 6.7-liter V8 | |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 385 / 865 | 440 / 860 | |
| Payload (lbs) | 5,680 | 6,460 | |
| Tow Rating (lbs) | 29,010 (4.10 axle) | 23,500 (3.73 axle) | |
| Test Load (trailer + cargo + ppl) | 22,350 lbs | 22,350 lbs | |
| Suspension Sag | 4 in | 3 in | |
| Ambient Temp F | 40 F | 48 F | |
| Relative Humidity | 40% | 30% | |
| Barometric Pressure (at top) | 19.76 inHg | 19.76 inHg | |
| Calculated Power Loss | N / A | N / A | |
| Up: Time | 10:09.43 | 9:44.88 | |
| Up: MPG | 3.0 | 2.7 | |
| Up: Interior dB | N / A | N / A | |
| Up: Transmission Temp | normal | normal | |
Take a look at this TFLtruck Ike Gauntlet video, featuring the 2015 Ram 3500 Dually with the high output Cummins 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.
