Only 1 Pickup Truck Boasts 14.4-Inches of Ground Clearance
Advanced off-road technology has improved dramatically in recent years. Systems such as adaptive AWD and multi-terrain select improve traction. But certain off-road obstacles simply require ground clearance. The most ground clearance offered by any truck is the 14.4-inches boasted by the all-new Rivian R1T electric pickup’s adjustable air-ride and hydraulic suspension. The half-ton Ram 2500 Power Wagon is a close second, offering 14.2 inches of ground clearance with its factory lift kit.
How much ground clearance does the Rivian R1T have?
Debuting at the end of 2021, Rivian’s R1T was the first electric pickup truck on the market. Its quad-motor electric drivetrain is not its only advanced tech. The R1T’s adjustable air suspension offers up to 14.4-inches of ground clearance.
Rivian is not the only manufacturer offering adjustable air suspension. You can order this option in anything from a Ram 1500 to the new Hummer EV. But Rivian does offer one interesting feature. Its suspension system damping is achieved with fully adjustable hydraulic elements. This allows the truck to eliminate body roll at any height. Here’s what MotorTrend said about the new system:
“A lot of air suspensions get really flimsy off-road too because you raise the ride height, you lose a little bit of your damping. But I think, thanks to those hydraulic elements of the suspension, the ride quality is maintained throughout.”
Christian Seabaugh, MotorTrend
How much ground clearance does the Ram 2500 Power Wagon offer?
With its factory lift kit and 17-inch rims, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon offers an incredible 14.2 inches of ground clearance. Along with front and rear locking differentials and a winch, this makes it one of the most capable factory 4x4s.
The Ram Power Wagon can trace its lineage back to WWII. The modern incarnation rides on Bilstein 4600 shock absorbers and springs tuned for off-road performance. Its front end enjoys “Articulink” radius arm suspension, its rear end even has a damper to prevent “Power Hop” when the driver floors the 6.4-liter HEMI V8.
Heavy-duty trucks are not subject to the same crash rating tests as light-duty trucks. For this reason, the Power Wagon also features a factory-installed winch. Even the most capable half-ton pickups, such as the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram’s own 1500 TRX, don’t offer a winch installed at the factory.
What truck has the most ground clearance?
While the Rivian R1T has the most ground clearance of any 4×4 truck (14.4 inches) and the Ram 2500 Power Wagon comes in a close second (14.2 inches), many other factory off-roaders offer plenty of clearance. Honorable mentions include the Raptor, TRX, and Gladiator.
The flagship off-roading trucks by Ford and Ram are inspired by high-speed desert racers. Therefore, ground clearance is not their first priority. That said, they offer enough height to navigate most obstacles.
According to CarFax, the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor–with its 24-inch rear coil springs–provides 13.1 inches of ground clearance. The latest Ram 1500 TRX, with its 35-inch tires, is a bit lower to the ground. The Hellcat-powered Ram offers 11.8 inches of ground clearance. Toyota’s competitor, the Tundra TRD Pro, has 10.9 inches of ground clearance.
Are you shopping for a midsize pickup truck instead? You can configure the Wrangler-based Jeep Gladiator with up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance. The Chevrolet Colorado is a capable off-roader in its own right. It also offers front and rear locking differentials and has 11.2 inches of ground clearance.
