2026 Ram 2500 vs. 3500: Which Heavy Duty Truck is Right for You?

Choosing between the 2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty comes down to understanding your exact hauling and towing demands. Both trucks deliver the power and durability that business owners and serious towers in Mississauga and across Ontario depend on, but each is engineered for different workloads. The 2500 handles heavy-duty daily tasks with authority, while the 3500 takes capability to the absolute maximum.

This guide breaks down the hard data—maximum towing, payload capacity, engine options, including the 6.7 L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel—so you can make the right decision for your operation.

Ram 2500: Built for Heavy-Duty Daily Performance

The 2026 Ram 2500 is the go-to choice for contractors, landscapers, and business owners who need serious capability without stepping into the 3500's heavier-duty setup. This truck handles demanding work with two proven powertrains and a suspension tuned for both loaded and unloaded driving.

Engine Options:

• 6.4 L HEMI V-8: 405 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque
• 6.7 L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel: 430 hp, 1,075 lb-ft of torque

Both engines pair with the TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic transmission, which delivers smooth shifts and lower cruise engine rpm for improved efficiency on graded roads. The transmission's electronic control system recognizes whether the truck is loaded or unloaded, allowing for second-gear starts when empty to reduce wear.

Towing and Payload:

• Maximum towing capacity (diesel): 16,606 kg (36,610 lbs)
• Maximum payload (gas): 3,443 kg (7,590 lbs)

The Ram 2500 uses coil-spring suspension front and rear, providing a smoother ride quality than traditional leaf springs. This setup reduces harshness on rough job sites and delivers better handling on Ontario highways during empty return trips.

Who Should Choose the 2500:

• Business owners hauling equipment trailers weighing 13,608–16,606 kg (30,000–36,610 lbs)
• Contractors who prioritize ride comfort during daily driving
• Operators who need maximum payload in the bed rather than gooseneck towing
• Fleets running mixed-use trucks for both loaded and unloaded operations

Ram 3500: Maximum Towing Capability

The 2026 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty is designed for operators who regularly push the limits of towing capacity. This truck shares the same engine options as the 2500 but adds a heavier rear axle, upgraded suspension components, and dual rear wheel configurations for maximum stability under extreme loads.

Engine Options:

• 6.4 L HEMI V-8: 405 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque
• 6.7 L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel: 430 hp, 1,075 lb-ft of torque

The 3500's rear suspension features two-stage longitudinal leaf springs on single-rear-wheel models, with optional supplemental air bags for levelling under heavy loads. Dual rear wheel models provide even greater stability and improved weight distribution for the heaviest trailers.

Towing Capacity:

• Gooseneck maximum: 16,606 kg (36,610 lbs)
• Conventional hitch maximum: 10,433 kg (23,000 lbs)

The 3500 offers higher towing ratings with conventional hitches and maintains full capability with gooseneck and fifth-wheel setups. The heavier rear axle—AAM 292 mm (11.5-inch) beam on standard models, AAM 305 mm (12.0-inch) on Max Tow configurations—handles sustained heavy loads without the thermal stress that lighter axles can experience.

Who Should Choose the 3500:

• Operators towing gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers above 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) regularly
• Construction businesses hauling heavy equipment on multi-axle trailers
• Landscapers moving loaded dump trailers across long distances
• Any operation where the maximum towing capacity is a daily requirement

Comparing the 2500 and 3500 Side by Side

Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel: The Advantage

Both the 2500 and 3500 offer the 6.7 L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel, and more than 70 per cent of Ram Heavy Duty buyers choose this engine. The reason is simple: 1,075 lb-ft of torque is delivered at just 1,800 rpm, giving drivers full pulling power without the need for constant downshifting.

The 2026 model features a redesigned block and head, improved intake port geometry, and a higher-pressure fuel system. These updates improve durability and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. In cold Ontario winters, the engine uses glow plugs to ensure reliable starts in extreme temperatures.

The TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic transmission, paired with the Cummins engine, utilizes a 3.42 rear axle ratio to deliver maximum towing capacity while achieving better fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation's 4.10 ratio. This means lower RPM on highway runs between job sites—critical for operators logging high annual kilometres across southern Ontario.

Technology and Towing Features

Both the 2500 and 3500 share the same advanced towing technology, making trailer management easier on busy job sites and in tight manoeuvres in Mississauga's industrial areas.

Standard Towing Features:

• Integrated trailer brake controller
• Trailer sway control
• Trailer Light Check-out System

Available Towing Technology:

• 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance
• Auxiliary exterior camera with custom positioning in and behind trailers
• Trailer-Tow Pages with comprehensive monitoring (tire pressure, brake status, light checkout)
• Power telescoping trailer tow mirrors
• Trailer reverse steering control (driver rotates dial, system controls steering)

The available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen provides quick access to all trailer functions, including the digital rearview mirror that offers an unobstructed rear view using a camera feed—useful when hauling tall equipment that blocks traditional mirror sightlines.

Cab and Box Configurations

Both trucks offer flexible configurations to match your operation:

Cab Styles:

• Regular Cab (2500 only)
• Crew Cab (2500 and 3500)
• Mega Cab (3500 only)

Box Lengths:

• 6-foot 4-inch box (Crew Cab or Mega Cab)
• 8-foot box (Regular Cab or Crew Cab)

The 8-foot box provides 2,115 litres (74.7 cubic feet) of cargo volume, with a floor length of 2,784 mm (98.3 inches). Distance between wheelhouses measures 1,444 mm (51 inches), accommodating standard pallets and sheet materials without angling.

Trim Levels for Both Models

The 2026 Ram Heavy Duty lineup offers seven trim levels across both the 2500 and 3500:

Tradesman: Work-truck foundation with standard power, trailer brake controller, and 6.4 L HEMI V-8. The available chrome upgrade package adds keyless entry and upgraded wheels.

Big Horn: Adds an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, remote start, and the available Safety Group (Blind-spot Monitoring, Active Lane Management, and Traffic Sign Recognition).

Rebel: Off-road focus with all-terrain tires, skid plates, Hill-descent Control (2500 4x4 only).

Laramie: Upgraded interior materials, 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen, leather seating, and available Tow Technology Group.

Power Wagon (2500 only): Maximum off-road capability with Articulink suspension, front disconnecting stabilizer bar, Tru-Lok front and rear axles, and front-mounted 12,000-lb winch.

Limited Longhorn: Premium leather, power running boards, digital rearview mirror, and standard Tow Technology Group.

Limited: Top-tier luxury with all available technology, safety features, and interior refinements.

Making Your Decision: 2500 or 3500?

The choice comes down to your typical workload and how often you operate at maximum capacity.

Choose the Ram 2500 if:

• Your heaviest trailers fall between 11,340–16,606 kg (25,000–36,610 lbs)
• You prioritize ride quality during empty or lightly loaded driving
• Maximum payload in the bed is more important than gooseneck towing
• You want coil-spring suspension for better handling on mixed terrain

Choose the Ram 3500 if:

• You regularly tow gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers above 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs)
• Sustained heavy hauling is a core part of your business operation
• You need dual rear wheels for added stability with wide or tall loads
• Maximum towing capacity with conventional hitches (10,433 kg / 23,000 lbs) is required

Both trucks deliver the same engine options, transmission, and towing technology. The difference is in the suspension, axle, and overall capability ceiling. If your business consistently operates near the maximum, the 3500 provides the margin you need. If your work involves varying between heavy and moderate loads, the 2500 offers more versatility with improved ride quality.

Your Heavy Duty Truck is Ready in Mississauga

The 2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty are available now at Cooksville Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Our sales team understands the demands of commercial operations across Ontario and can walk you through the exact specifications your business requires. Contact our team at Cooksville Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Mississauga to secure your truck today.

You might also be interested in these blogs:

• Which 2025 Ram Trucks Can Handle Fifth-Wheel Towing?
• 2025 Ram 1500: Improved Where It Matters
• 2025 Ram HD Lineup Guide and Towing Specs