James Ram - Which Heavy-Duty Pickup Handles Rough Roads Better Near Huntley, IL — 2026 Ram 2500 or 2026 Ford F-250?
Ride quality is a top question for shoppers who compare heavy-duty trucks for daily work and weekend towing. When you’re weighing Ram’s latest against Ford’s cornerstone, the difference comes down to suspension design and how each truck manages weight transfer, squat, and road irregularities. This blog explores the ride question through the lens of highway miles, jobsite potholes, and trailer-backed campsites around Huntley, IL.
Ram’s approach to ride starts with a multi-link rear suspension that trades traditional leaf springs for coils on many 2500 configurations, and layers on a Class-Exclusive available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension. That combo is designed to improve vertical compliance, reduce axle hop, and keep the truck level with payload or tongue weight on board. Ford’s F-250 retains leaf springs and does not offer rear air suspension. While Ford refines damping and offers off-road packages, those upgrades don’t replicate automatic load leveling or the supple, controlled feel that air can deliver over cracked concrete or unpaved access roads. For drivers who haul varied loads—landscaping equipment one day, a tandem-axle camper the next—Ram’s suspension solution adapts more readily to change.
What does that mean in practice? Picture an early-morning tow out to a jobsite. With Ram’s available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension managing a heavy trailer, the truck sits even, headlamp aim stays consistent, and steering response remains calm. The available Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake and heavy-duty four-wheel disc antilock brakes help control long grades. Pair that with available Trailer Reverse Steering Control and camera views—360° Surround View and 360° Trailer Surround View—and every maneuver becomes more predictable. Ford’s F-250 offers helpful tech like Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, a 360-degree camera, and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™, but without rear air the chassis must rely more on spring rate and damping to fight squat and pitch.
Power and control also affect ride perception. Ram’s available High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 is known for smooth low-rpm torque delivery and low vibration. The TorqueFlite® HD eight-speed automatic shifts unobtrusively, which helps the truck feel settled in traffic or while ascending gentle grades. Ford’s available High Output Power Stroke® diesel and 10-speed TorqShift® are strong performers; the difference is that Ram tunes the powertrain for steady-state composure that complements its suspension strengths.
Interior features reinforce a sense of calm. The 2026 Ram 2500 offers a Largest-in-Class available 14.5-inch touchscreen with Uconnect® 5 NAV, Class-Exclusive Dual Wireless Charging Pads, and available Harman Kardon® audio with Interior Active Noise Cancellation. When you spend long stretches behind the wheel, those elements contribute to reduced fatigue in a way you can quantify by the end of the week.
- Suspension design: Ram 2500 uses a coil-spring rear with available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension; F-250 uses rear leaf springs with no air-suspension option.
- Loaded stance: Ram’s air system helps maintain a level ride height with payload or trailer tongue weight, improving light aim and steering feel.
- Towing composure: Exhaust brake, trailer steering assist, and camera integration support smoother control at low speeds and on long grades.
- Cabin calm: Larger available display, noise control, and charging tech ease the workday and keep devices organized.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the 2026 Ram 2500 have air suspension and does it help ride quality?
Yes. The 2026 Ram 2500 offers a Class-Exclusive available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension that can improve ride comfort, reduce squat with heavy loads, and stabilize the truck while towing.
How does Ford’s F-250 handle heavy tongue weight without air suspension?
Ford tunes spring rates and damping to manage loads and offers helpful tow tech, but it does not offer rear air suspension on the F-250, so squat control relies on the hardware’s fixed settings rather than automatic leveling.
Is there a difference in onboard power for jobsite tools?
Ram offers Best-in-Class available Onboard Power up to 2.4 kW, while Ford provides Pro Power Onboard™ up to 2 kW on Super Duty. Both are useful, but Ram’s higher output can support more demanding tools.
If your priority is a smoother, more settled ride when the truck is empty, loaded, or towing, the 2026 Ram 2500 has clear advantages. Visit James Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram—serving Huntley, Pingree Grove, and Genoa—to see how air suspension, towing tech, and cabin features work together in real-world scenarios. A short drive and a few tight parking-lot maneuvers with a trailer will tell the story better than any spec chart.