2025 Full-Size Pickup Towing Showdown: F-150 PowerBoost, Ram Hurricane, or Sierra 6.2L V8 – Which Reigns Supreme for Hauling?
As a seasoned veteran in the automotive testing arena, with
over a decade spent dissecting the capabilities of America’s workhorses, I can confidently say that 2025 marks a pivotal year for full-size pickup trucks. The landscape is shifting, with manufacturers pushing boundaries not just in raw power, but in efficiency, technology, and the overall towing experience. Gone are the days when a simple V8 and a sturdy hitch were all you needed. Today’s buyer demands sophistication, reliability, and the confidence to tackle any trailer, from a compact camper to a significant utility load.
For this comprehensive 2025 comparison, we put three titans of the half-ton segment through their paces in the ultimate towing challenge: the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500. These aren’t just trucks; they’re mobile command centers, family haulers, and serious work partners. Our objective was crystal clear: to determine which of these market leaders delivers the most confidence, comfort, and capability when tasked with the critical job of pulling a substantial load. We pitted the 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum, equipped with its innovative PowerBoost hybrid V6, against the luxurious 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten, featuring the game-changing Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, and the robust 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, powered by its time-tested 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8. Despite their remarkably similar price points – hovering around the $90,000 mark – each truck presents a fundamentally different engineering philosophy beneath the hood, promising a truly diverse towing dynamic.
Our test regimen was designed for the real world, mirroring the challenges encountered by everyday towers. We secured three nearly identical 20-foot, single-axle camper trailers, each weighing approximately 3,500 pounds. While these trailers didn’t push the trucks to their maximum rated towing capacity, their substantial frontal area created significant aerodynamic drag, testing stability and, crucially, real-world fuel economy. Our roughly 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop became an even greater crucible thanks to sustained 16 mph crosswinds and gusts up to 28 mph – conditions that reveal a truck’s true composure. To eliminate any trailer-specific biases, we meticulously ensured each trailer’s weight varied by no more than 180 pounds, with tongue weights consistently falling between 13.4% and 14.8% of the total trailer weight – critical figures for stable towing performance. Post-loop, we rotated trailers amongst the trucks to confirm that observed driving characteristics were indeed truck-specific, not trailer-dependent.
Beyond the raw numbers, we delved deep into the user experience, evaluating each truck’s advanced towing technology. This included everything from sophisticated backup and trailer connection assist systems to the myriad camera views designed to simplify the often-stressful process of hitching and maneuvering a trailer. Our judging panel, comprising seasoned experts like Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman, Road Test Editor Brian Normile, and myself, meticulously scored each truck across three core towing categories: powertrain performance, braking feel, and ride quality. Trucks that offered superior, genuinely useful towing aids also earned points in the overall value assessment. Furthermore, to gauge hauling capability, we loaded approximately 1,000 pounds into each truck’s bed and measured both acceleration (0-60 mph) and crucial braking performance (60-0 mph). The detailed breakdown below focuses squarely on how these 2025 full-size pickups performed in our rigorous towing and hauling evaluations.
| Metric | 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum | 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate | 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten |
| :—————————— | :———————– | :—————————– | :———————– |
| Price (as tested) | $87,625 | $87,305 | $90,505 |
| Horsepower | 430 | 420 | 540 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 570 | 460 | 521 |
| Measured Weight (lbs) | 6,020 | 5,580 | 6,000 |
| 0-60 mph Empty (sec) | 5.62 | 6.16 | 4.75 |
| 0-60 mph Loaded (sec) | 6.18 | 6.99 | 5.27 |
| 1/4-mile Empty (sec @ mph) | 13.82 @ 99.88 | 14.17 @ 99.34 | 13.00 @ 104.91 |
| 1/4-mile Loaded (sec @ mph) | 14.40 @ 96.04 | 14.92 @ 94.60 | 13.53 @ 101.85 |
| 60-0 mph Braking Empty (ft) | 135 | 146 | 140 |
| 60-0 mph Braking Loaded (ft) | 141 | 139 | 146 |
| Real-World MPG (Empty) | 23.3 | 21.5 | 21.0 |
| Real-World MPG (Towing) | 11.5 | 11.0 | 10.6 |
2025 Ford F-150 Platinum PowerBoost: The Tech-Forward Towing Hybrid
Ford’s commitment to innovation shines brightly in the 2025 F-150 Platinum PowerBoost. This hybrid full-size pickup represents a compelling blend of traditional truck utility with modern electrified performance. For those of us who’ve spent countless hours behind the wheel of various F-Series models, stepping into the PowerBoost hybrid felt like a familiar embrace, albeit one with a refined edge. While our editorial team previously owned a PowerBoost for two years, granting us intimate knowledge of its towing prowess, the inclusion of an adaptive suspension in this Platinum trim was a welcome, if not entirely transformative, upgrade. This system aims to enhance both ride comfort and stability, particularly under load.
What We Loved: Seamless Technology and Potential Efficiency
The F-150’s true genius for towing lies in its unparalleled suite of advanced towing technology. Ford has consistently led the pack in this regard, and the 2025 model continues to set the benchmark. Features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist aren’t just marketing buzzwords; they are genuinely revolutionary tools that simplify the most daunting aspects of trailering. As Bragman noted, “The towing technology in the Ford is what truly sells it – it’s unrivaled in its class for usefulness, ease of operation, and true utility. Ford isn’t putting gimmicky stuff in the F-150; all the tech it features is genuinely useful and worth the investment.” For both novices struggling with trailer parking and seasoned towers seeking to reduce stress, these systems are invaluable. They transform what can be a frustrating experience into a surprisingly smooth operation, allowing for greater precision and less exertion.
Beyond the assists, the F-150’s driver information displays are a masterclass in clarity. Critical trailering data, including transmission gear, trailer brake gain, and key instrument information, is presented intuitively. Much of this vital information is conveniently duplicated in the head-up display (HUD), keeping a driver’s eyes firmly on the road – a significant safety advantage when navigating busy highways with a trailer. While polarized sunglasses can sometimes reduce HUD visibility, this is a common challenge across all vehicles equipped with such technology.
Fuel economy, while not the radical leap some might expect from a hybrid, still offered a notable advantage. The F-150 PowerBoost’s observed 11.5 mpg while towing was a half-MPG better than the next best V8-powered Sierra. This efficiency, coupled with the immediate torque delivery from the electric motor, contributes to a robust and responsive feel, particularly off the line. Ford has geared its hybrid system more towards performance augmentation than extreme fuel frugality, delivering a powerful yet relatively efficient towing experience. For those contemplating hybrid truck towing performance or seeking a full-size hybrid pickup, the F-150 remains a compelling choice.
Where It Could Improve: Ride Comfort and Braking Dynamics
Despite its technological prowess, the F-150 exhibited some areas for improvement when it came to the subjective feel of towing. It scored lowest in both braking feel and overall ride quality. The inconsistent brake pedal feel, often a characteristic of hybrid systems blending regenerative and friction braking, required a period of adjustment for our judges. This can detract from the driver’s confidence, especially when trying to modulate braking with a heavy load.
More significantly, the F-150’s ride quality was noticeably harsher and busier than its competitors. It struggled to maintain the composed, stable ride offered by the Ram and GMC, particularly over undulating pavement. Bragman articulated this precisely: “The F-150 feels the least planted out of all three trucks when towing, gets pushed around by the trailer a lot more than the others and does a lot of porpoising over undulating pavement.” This translates to increased driver fatigue on longer hauls. While the adaptive suspension is present, it didn’t quite elevate the F-150 to the same level of towing comfort and stability as its rivals.
Another surprising drawback in the Platinum trim was the least useful side mirrors for towing. Despite its premium positioning, the Platinum Plus Equipment Group omits the optional towing mirrors available on lesser F-150 Platinum packages. While aftermarket mirror extensions are a solution, and the integrated side camera view on the center touchscreen provided excellent assistance during lane changes, the superior factory-equipped mirrors on the other trucks were a clear advantage. For a truck designed for serious towing, this oversight is noteworthy.
2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten: Luxury Powerhouse with a Nuance
The 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten represents a bold leap into the future for Ram, spearheaded by its groundbreaking Hurricane twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine. This isn’t just a powertrain update; it’s a statement. The Tungsten trim itself is the epitome of luxury in a pickup, and these opulent qualities largely carry over to the towing experience. It’s remarkably quiet, smooth, and refined, even with a trailer in tow. And, let’s be honest, the sheer acceleration the Hurricane engine delivers, particularly with a wide-open throttle, is enough to put a grin on anyone’s face. However, as we discovered, raw power doesn’t always translate directly to the most engaging or efficient working experience when towing.
What We Loved: Unmatched Ride Comfort and Sheer Acceleration
The Ram 1500’s standout feature, both laden and unladen, remains its sophisticated air suspension. This system creates an incredibly docile and composed ride quality while towing, making for an effortless journey with remarkably low driver fatigue. It simply doesn’t ride like a traditional truck. Bragman emphasized this, stating, “The ride quality is absolutely outstanding – this is a true luxury-car-quality ride thanks to the Ram’s air suspension, and it only gets better when you put a load in the bed or hook up a trailer.” For those prioritizing luxury pickup truck towing or extended trips, the Ram’s ride comfort is unmatched, absorbing road imperfections with remarkable grace, even if it does introduce a touch more body motion than the GMC.
Braking feel in the Ram also impressed, nearly matching the class-leading GMC with a strong 22 points in our evaluation. This consistent and reassuring pedal feel is crucial for instilling confidence when managing the combined weight of a truck and trailer.
Where the Ram truly separates itself is in its outright acceleration. With approximately 1,000 pounds of payload in its bed, the Hurricane-powered Ram absolutely demolished the competition in our 0-60 mph testing. Its 5.27-second sprint while loaded was quicker than the other trucks’ times when completely empty. This incredible surge of power from the Ram 1500 Hurricane engine is undeniable, showcasing the profound capabilities of this new powertrain. However, this brutal acceleration does require drivers to be extra diligent in securing their loads – you’ll want to ratchet down your cargo a few extra clicks! For buyers seeking a powerful, high-performance truck engine with impressive payload acceleration, the 2025 Ram 1500 is a clear winner.
Where It Could Improve: Powertrain Responsiveness and Towing Tech Integration
Despite its formidable horsepower and torque figures, the Ram’s Hurricane engine felt surprisingly taxed when it came to specific towing scenarios. We observed a noticeable delay in acceleration from a complete stop and when requesting additional power for passing maneuvers. This lag in readily available, usable power outside of wide-open-throttle blasts gave it the lowest subjective powertrain score while towing, despite its superior measured acceleration numbers. This isn’t to say it lacks power, but rather that the power delivery wasn’t as immediate or linear as we’d prefer for predictable towing demands. The V8 vs Twin-Turbo V6 truck towing debate might find a new dimension here, as the Hurricane’s character differs from the immediate push of a large naturally aspirated engine.
As expected, given its performance advantage, the Ram was the least efficient in both our unladen and towing fuel-economy tests. Averaging 10.6 mpg when towing, it trailed the GMC’s 11.0 mpg and the Ford’s 11.5 mpg. While not disastrous, this reinforces that exceptional power often comes with a trade-off at the pump. For those primarily concerned with fuel economy towing comparison, the Ram is at the lower end.
Another area of frustration was the Ram’s trailer backup assist system. While it contributes to the truck’s overall technology score, we consistently struggled to get it to function effectively. Even after multiple calibration attempts, the system would only permit a maximum trailer steer angle of 20 degrees left or right. This severely limited its usefulness, especially when trying to maneuver a trailer into a tight spot. In stark contrast, Ford’s system allowed for far greater trailer angles after its straightforward one-time setup. This highlights the importance of well-integrated, intuitive technology rather than simply offering the feature.
Finally, the Ram lacked a crucial side camera view for changing lanes with a trailer. This feature, present and highly beneficial in the other trucks, provides an extra layer of visibility for identifying vehicles in the blind spot – a significant safety enhancement when towing. While the Ram did boast the best traditional side mirrors among the trio, an additional camera view would have been a valuable, albeit incremental, improvement.
2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate: The Unflappable Towing Champion
The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, with its potent 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 engine, may appear “old school” in a world increasingly embracing electrification and turbocharging. It might have been outmatched in raw acceleration figures and the sheer number of turbochargers or electric motors compared to its rivals, but what it offers is arguably the most critical trait for towing: immediate, unflappable responsiveness and rock-solid confidence. This is where the Sierra truly shines, delivering a towing experience that feels genuinely heavy-duty, even in a light-duty package.
What We Loved: Immediate Power Delivery and Unmatched Stability
The 6.2-liter V8 engine in the Sierra is, quite simply, a masterclass in towing powertrain. There’s a direct, intuitive connection between your right foot and the engine’s output. Hit the accelerator, and the power is there – instantly. There’s no waiting for turbos to spool up or hybrid systems to coordinate, unlike the nuanced responses observed in the F-150 and Ram. This immediate, linear power delivery, coupled with GMC’s exceptionally smart transmission programming, means the Sierra never misses a beat. Yes, the V8 is noisier and perhaps less refined than the sophisticated powertrains in the Ford and Ram, but its immense usability and predictability when it truly counts make it the preferred choice for dedicated towers. For anyone looking for a reliable V8 truck for towing, the Sierra delivers.
Beyond the engine, it’s the Sierra’s overall demeanor that truly cemented its win. Bragman’s assessment resonated deeply with the entire team: “The GMC’s absolutely unflappable manners (even when towing in a massive crosswind) were supremely confidence-building. Its tank-like demeanor comes through here, too; it almost feels like a heavy-duty truck instead of a light-duty one.” Normile echoed this sentiment, stating, “Despite being the lightest truck in our test, the Sierra felt the most stable and confident while towing, and its linear brake pedal added to that confidence. The Sierra’s V8 and transmission make towing feel effortless.”
This unparalleled stability is a crucial factor in reducing driver fatigue and increasing safety, especially on long journeys or in challenging conditions. While the Ram’s air suspension might offer a slightly plusher ride on perfectly smooth roads, the Sierra’s superior body control and unwavering stability become evident and genuinely superior once the pavement gets rough or the winds pick up. For those prioritizing trailer stability and a confident towing experience, the Sierra is the undisputed leader. Its consistent braking performance also received top marks, further enhancing that feeling of control.
Where It Could Improve: Advanced Towing Technology Integration
One of the few areas where our test Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate lagged behind was in its advanced trailering technology suite, particularly when compared to Ford’s plug-and-play solutions. While GMC does offer advanced towing features, our specific test truck was not equipped with them, highlighting a potential discrepancy in standard offerings or ease of access.
The most notable technological feature present was Super Cruise, GMC’s hands-free driving system. While impressive in theory, especially the ability to use it while towing, its practical application was limited in our real-world towing scenario. Normile observed, “Super Cruise hands-free driving while towing is nice in theory, but in practice – especially in windy conditions – it can be more harrowing than helpful.” Bragman elaborated: “The best towing tech the Sierra features (Transparent Trailer View) requires extra camera equipment and wiring, whereas Ford is offering up automatic hitching without any extra gear. Towing with hands-free Super Cruise is pretty novel, but it’s best for low-speed stop-and-go traffic, not 65-plus mph highway motoring due to the system’s constant fidgety lane-keeping behavior.” This suggests that while the technology is present, its integration for practical, high-speed towing scenarios still has room for refinement compared to Ford’s more purpose-built assists. For drivers considering GMC Super Cruise towing, understanding its current limitations is key.
The Verdict: Navigating 2025’s Towing Landscape
The 2025 full-size pickup truck market presents a fascinating crossroads, with each of these segment leaders offering a distinct personality and approach to towing. The Ford F-150 PowerBoost champions cutting-edge technology and a nuanced hybrid performance, providing an intelligent, assisted towing experience that aims to simplify the process for all drivers. Its impressive suite of Pro Trailer assists genuinely revolutionizes hitching and backing. The Ram 1500 Tungsten, with its powerful Hurricane engine and luxurious air suspension, delivers an unparalleled level of comfort and raw acceleration, transforming the towing experience into a remarkably refined journey, albeit with some trade-offs in powertrain linearity and tech functionality.
However, when the core mission is confident, stable, and predictable towing performance, especially in challenging conditions, the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate rises to the top. Its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, paired with an expertly tuned transmission, provides an immediate, reassuring surge of power that instills profound confidence. Coupled with its superior body control and unflappable stability, the Sierra truly feels like a scaled-down heavy-duty truck, offering a driving experience that minimizes fatigue and maximizes control. For those who prioritize the sheer mechanical integrity and the most predictable, reliable response from their heavy-duty towing light duty truck, the Sierra is the clear winner.
Ultimately, the “best” truck for towing in 2025 depends on your priorities. If cutting-edge, driver-assisting technology is paramount, the Ford F-150 PowerBoost is an undeniable contender. If you demand a luxury-car ride and exhilarating acceleration, even with a trailer in tow, the Ram 1500 Tungsten offers an unmatched experience. But if your primary concern is the most confidence-inspiring, stable, and responsive towing platform for any condition, the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate stands head and shoulders above the rest. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of robust engineering and a direct connection between driver and machine.
Ready to put these insights into action? Share your own towing experiences with these 2025 models or ask our experts how these performance metrics might translate to your specific towing needs. Whether you’re hauling a camper, a boat, or a work trailer, understanding the nuances of these incredible machines is the first step towards a confident and enjoyable journey. Explore more about these trucks and find the perfect towing partner for your next adventure.
