Should You Take the Ford F-250 Off Road?
The Ford F-250 can take you over meandering roads, but don’t expect it to tackle extreme backcountry routes.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 2022
Ford F-250
is a terrific choice for drivers looking to go off-roading for the first time. But for true junkies, you’ll want a vehicle that sports higher ground clearance and low-end torque.When it comes to exploring the path less traveled, not every car is suited for the job. You might be tempted to head out with the bulkiest truck you can find, but the right off-roading vehicle will have specific features like all-wheel drive, all-season tires, high approach and departure angles, and more.
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
, has put together everything you need to know about the 2022 Ford F-250’s off-road potential. 
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Can the Ford F-250 go off road?
Yes, the Ford F-250 can go off road! While it doesn’t outshine the higher-end off-road competition like the
GMC Sierra
, it still gets the job done.Starting at $43,020, the XL base trim comes in four-wheel drive and uses a six-speed automatic transmission and more than enough torque to get you over the roughest bumps.
Let’s take a closer look at the other features that make the Ford F-250 a good choice for your next off-road adventure.
Ground clearance
Before you take the F-250 out for a spin, you have to know about its ground clearance, the distance between the road and the lowest point on the vehicle’s chassis. This is an essential spec for avoiding damage while navigating bumpy roads. The F-250 has a ground clearance between 8.5 and 8.7 inches, depending on the trim level.
The F-250 falls just under the recommended ground clearance height for off-road vehicles, which is 8.8 to 10.8 inches. This means you’ll get away with some lighter off-roading—just steer clear of larger obstructions that can ruin the undercarriage.
Torque
For a car to accelerate, its engine’s pistons must rotate from constant force. That force is torque, or the rotating power available in an engine to get a car moving. The quicker a car can rev up at the beginning, the easier it can climb over obstacles, like rocks.
When you’re shopping for an off-road vehicle, you want to look for one with low-end torque,meaninghigh torque amounts at lower rpm measurements. The F-250’s 6.2-liter V8 engine gets 430 lb-ft of torque @ 3800 rpm. When you upgrade to the turbodiesel V8 engine, you’re looking at an incredible 1,050 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm.
If you’re looking to do some serious off-roading, go for the upgraded V8 engine.
Tires
The Ford F-250 has 17-inch, all-season LT245/75R E tires. You’re ready to go if you’re in an area with moderate weather year-round. However, if harsh winters and snow storms are the norm where you live, you’ll have to change them out for winter tires that have better traction on icy roads.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain varies from trim to trim on the F-150. Here’s what to expect on the following trims:
- King Ranch: four-wheel drive
- LARIAT: four-wheel and rear-wheel drive
- Limited: four-wheel drive
- Platinum: four-wheel drive
- XL: four-wheel and rear-wheel drive
- XLT: four-wheel and rear-wheel drive
Having control of all your wheels on uneven ground is the difference between getting stuck and clearing bumps with ease, which is why four-wheel drive is the best option for off-road vehicles.
Angles
It seems like math does have a real-world application! Buckle up—here are two angles that are important to know when off-roading:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The F-250 has an approach angle of 31.7 degrees and a departure angle of 24.5 degrees. These angles allow for casual off-road detours and will be unsuited for more extreme ones. In comparison, the F-250 is no match for the off-road veteran, the 2022
Jeep Wrangler
, which has approach and departure angles of 41.4 and 35.9 degrees, respectively.Make safe driving pay
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Start earning nowOff-road rating: Rough and ready
With all the essential off-road specs considered, how does the Ford F-250 measure on Jerry’s DIRT rating scale?
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The F-150 receives an “R” rating—rough and ready to tackle casual off-roading trips! If you’re not pulling insane stunts, then the F-150 is capable and ready for what you have planned (within reason!). While its ground clearance, tires, and approach and departure angles are sufficient, the F-150 is no match for more seasoned competitors.
The best off-road alternatives to the Ford F-250
The Ford F-250 is certainly not the cheapest off-road truck out there. If you’re looking to save a few thousand bucks or value a car’s eco-friendly features, you’ve got other options.
Here are the best alternatives to the Ford F-250:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 | $40,200 | Rugged is an understatement for the heavy-duty Sierra 2500. It has up to 11.18 inches of ground clearance! |
Best eco-friendly alternative | 2022 RAM 2500 | $40,865 | A few thousand dollars cheaper, the RAM 2500 boasts more fuel capacity at 6.4 liters. If you’re spending all day driving, you can’t go wrong with this lower-cost alternative! |
Best affordable alternative | 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | $35,300 | With its 6.6-liter V8 engine, the roomy Silverado 2500 offers swift acceleration and 10.1 inches of ground clearance—all at an affordable price. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
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