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In the last several years, pickup trucks have become more than work units. They evolved into daily drivers, toy haulers, and off-roading giants. One of the most desirable features of these trucks is the amount of ground clearance you get. This is so they can travel the rugged trails or experience premium performance. 

Two pickups on the market today have over a foot of ground clearance, which is almost unheard of. Which trucks are they, and which one has the lowest clearance to date? 

Does the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor have over one foot of ground clearance?

A red 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor traveling through a desert like area.
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor | Ford Media Center

Regarding ground clearance, the Ford F-150 Raptor has over a foot of space between the road and the truck’s underbody. According to Carfax, it has about 13.1-inches of clearance, which makes it a great candidate for off-road adventures. 

Another feature that enables it to go off the pavement is its powertrain. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces a whopping 450 hp. Not bad for a pickup that costs around $70,370.

Of course, you can’t do any off-roading without a high-performance suspension system. With the F-150 Raptor, you get premium brand Fox racing shocks and 24-inch coil springs that can handle all types of terrain, which helps it get over a foot of ground clearance. But, interestingly enough, it’s not the truck with the most. 

How much clearance do you get with the 2022 Ram 2500 Power Wagon pickup truck?

The highest ground clearance you can get with a heavy-duty pickup truck is the 2022 Ram 2500 Power Wagon. The space between the road and the truck’s underbody is a surprising 14.2-inches, which is over an inch higher than the F-150 Raptor. 

According to Edmund’s, you get a 6.4-liter V8 engine that generates 410 hp. For a high thrills off-roading experience, you get front and rear locking differentials along with a disconnecting sway bar in the front. For added benefit, you will also get a winch rated for about 12,000 lb weight. 

With the crew cab option, you’ll have plenty of space for your camping gear. What can’t fit, you can haul in the 6-foot 4-inch bed. Many tech features increase the fun while traversing off-road trails or on the pavement, if you prefer. 

Which pickup truck has the worst amount of ground clearance?

While the F-150 Raptor and the Ram 2500 Power Wagon have the highest ground clearance, one truck falls far behind and offers the least space. This is the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, which only has 7.6-inches of ground clearance. While you could take it on some off-roading adventures, it isn’t going to be to handle the rough areas where rock or debris crawling is a must. 

Still, there are a nice handful of features that enables this truck to handle minor off-pavement areas. First, you get a 3.5-liter V6 engine that can produce 280 hp, which is enough to keep it moving throughout the trails. You’ll also get a hill start assist, a stabilizer bar in the front and rear of the vehicle, a multi-link rear suspension, and a McPherson strut front suspension. 

The ground clearance isn’t just for off-roading, though. Many drivers love the view of the road when sitting up high in a truck or SUV. The Honda Ridgeline handles this pretty well, plus its unibody frame enables it to ride smoother on the pavement compared to the big trucks like the Ram 2500 HD. 

The Ram 2500 HD Power Wagon offers the most ground clearance in the heavy full-size pickup class. Coming right behind it is the F-150 Raptor, with an inch less in height but still plenty to clear some of the most rugged off-roading trails. 

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