It’s generally known that pickup trucks are in great request in the United States. If you seek for the maximum payload and towing capacity, you may find some serious vehicles ready to duty.
Toyota Tundra
2016 Toyota Tundra SR5 © Toyota Motor Corporation
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 10,500 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 2,060 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $29,950
Japanese cars are trying to compete (not without success) even here – amongst pickup trucks that symbolize American way of life. Of all Toyota Tundra models, a regular cab with the long bed and the available 5.7L V8 engine capable of 381 hp @ 5600 rpm / 401 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm can tow up to 10,500 pounds. The maximum payload of this configuration is 2,060 pounds.
Ram 1500
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 EcoDiesel © Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 10,650 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 1,880 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $26,145
In recent years, Ram trucks have made a serious improvement in mightiness. The junior member in the Ram’s model line is the best example. Where it loses in the maximum payload (1,880 pounds), it is catching up in towing capacity (10,650 pounds). The most capable configuration includes the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine (395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque) if your goal is towing capacity, and the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine if you need the maximum payload (with 5.7L HEMI V8 it drops to 1,810 pounds).
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country © General Motors
- Official Site / Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 12,000 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 2,260 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $26,895 ($27,515 for GMC Sierra 1500)
General Motor’s pickup trucks offered under two separate marques are better from year to year as well. The most tow-capable configuration is a double cab with the standard box, two-wheel drive, and the 6.2L Ecotec3 V8 engine. The maximum payload is 2,140 pounds for this configuration; if you want the maximum payload of 2,260 pounds, you need to change the engine to the 5.3L Ecotec3 V8.
Ford F-150
2016 Ford F-150 Limited © Ford Motor Company
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 12,200 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 3,300 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $26,428
The classic Light Duty pickup that has no competitors in the maximum payload; towing capacity is not so incredible, though. The 365-hp, 420 lb-ft, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 can tow up to 12,200 pounds and haul up to 3,270 pounds, and the 385-hp, 387 lb-ft, 5.0L V8 can tow up to 11,100 pounds and haul up to 3,300 pounds.
Nissan Titan XD
2016 Nissan Titan XD © Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 12,314 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 2,091 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $40,290
The all-new Nissan Titan XD is the second and the last example of successful Japanese intrusion into American pickup trucks market. It is a costly vehicle; however, it is capable of much. The basic S version with two-wheel drive provides the best performance.
Ram 2500
2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4×4 © Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 17,980 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 3,990 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $31,780
The rating of Heavy Duty pickup trucks opens with the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram 2500. With the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, it can tow up to 17,980 pounds. The 6.4L HEMI V8 engine provides only 16,320 pounds of towing capacity but has the maximum payload of 3,990 pounds instead of 3,160 pounds.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD / GMC Sierra 2500HD
2016 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD © General Motors
- Official Site / Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 18,000 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 3,534 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $32,955 ($33,535 for GMC Sierra 2500HD)
GM’s 2500HD is slightly better at towing. It can tow up to 18,000 pounds if properly equipped. The best configuration includes a regular cab with the long box, two-wheel drive, and the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine. The Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI engine provides better hauling (3,534 pounds instead of 3,275 pounds).
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD / GMC Sierra 3500HD
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ Crew Cab © General Motors
- Official Site / Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 23,200 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 7,153 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $34,055 ($34,635 for GMC Sierra 3500HD)
That’s where real Heavy Duty monsters take up a job. For the best towing capacity, you should check a regular cab with the long box and the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine; for the best hauling capacity – everything the same except the engine, where the Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI is better.
Ford F-Series Super Duty
2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab 4×4 © Ford Motor Company
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 31,200 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 7,050 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $32,385
The Ford F-Series Super Duty includes several different models that are combined under the same title. There are plenty to choose from amongst them. The mightiest is the Ford F-450 Super Duty which comes in just one configuration: a crew cab body style with an 8-foot bed and dual rear wheels, four-wheel drive, and the 6.7L Power Stroke Turbodiesel V8. It can tow up to 31,200 pounds with a fifth-wheel gooseneck hitch.
Ram 3500
2016 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty © Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
- Official Site
- Towing Capacity: 31,210 pounds
- Maximum Payload: 7,390 pounds
- Starting MSRP: $32,285
And here is the champion! With only 10 pounds ahead of the Ford F-Series Super Duty, it is an equal fight. However, Ram 3500 has the better maximum payload (unfortunately, it is true if you accept the drop of towing capacity to 16,520 pounds with the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine) and costs lower as well. The respectful 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 engine paired with the available AISIN AS69RC six-speed automatic transmission provide best-in-class 31,210 pounds of towing capacity and still formidable 6,720 pounds of maximum payload.
