Ford Transit vs. Ram ProMaster: Which Is More Truck and Less Van?
Both Ford and Ram Trucks are known for their capable trucks. Ford has been the truck leader for decades. Dodge Ram trucks have been so successful that they became their own Ram entity beginning with the 2010 model year. It’s known that the Ford Transit and the Ram ProMaster share some traits with their truck brethren. Which one of these vans is more like a truck?
When it comes to buying a van for heavy hauling and hard work, it may be helpful to know which one shares the most traits with a truck in terms of sheer capability. Which one tows a heavier load? Is the Ram ProMaster’s payload better than what the Transit can handle? Asking questions like these are a responsible part of the process when choosing to invest in a workhorse for your business or overland build.
The Ford Transit van on work truck duty
Like the Ford pickup trucks F-Series, the Ford Transit is also known as the T-Series. So, as the trucks level up from F-150 to F-250 to F-350 depending on size and capability, the Ford Transits line up from the T-150 to the T-250 to the T-350. Each of these “Ts” boast truck-like capability in their own right.
They share specs––such as certain engine options––with their pickup truck brothers, and the Ford Transit van is also shares similarities with the correlating Ford F-series pickup truck platform. But because it’s on a unique uniladder frame, the Transit doesn’t tow quite as much as the big super duty trucks. However, the Ford Transit T-Series can tow up to 7,500 pounds with a maximum payload capacity of 4,530 pounds––according to Car and Driver. Plus, the 2020 Ford Transit now offers an AWD powertrain(new for the 2020 Transit van). This adds one more feature that makes the Transit more like a truck than a van.
The Ram ProMaster is a capable truck
According to Automotive Fleet, the Ram ProMaster shares a little Ram Trucks grille style with the truck lineup. Just like the Ford Transit, the ProMaster is also organized by size and capability similarly to the trucks. We see for the Ram cargo van segment a 1500, 2500, and 3500 name depending on the model.
The Ram ProMaster can haul a heavier payload than the Transit. The ProMaster can tow up to 4,680 pounds. Towing comes in a little less than the Transit, however, with a capacity of 6,800 pounds.
Crew cab cargo van
In addition to the all-new AWD 2020 Ford Transit, there is another truck similarity that the Ford cargo van has that the ProMaster does not. The all-new 2020 Ford Transit has a crew cab option. Just like a truck, this work van can either hold a couple of people in the cab or a crew of a few people in two rows of seating––depending on the cab size.
Which van is a better work truck?
Though the Ram ProMaster does boast a bit higher payload capacity, The Ford Transit is a better truck. Between these two vans built strong on truck-inspired platforms you will find two highly capable working class vehicles. The Ram cargo van may look a bit more like a truck, but the Transit van has a few more features which make is a better work truck.
