Ford F-250 vs Chevy Silverado, Ram HD: Heavy-Duty Pickup Comparison

Competitive Space

Of the many automotive segments out there, few are nearly as competitive as the heavy-duty truck space, where manufacturers are constantly one-upping each other in terms of specs and capability. However, brand-new heavy-duty trucks are incredibly expensive, leaving many to look at the used market for a cheaper alternative. In this recent video from The Fast Lane Truck, we take a closer look at how three of the more popular options in that space compare. 

Ford F-250 Super Duty

The Blue Oval side of this coin is a 2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty SuperCab model with four-wheel drive and the FX4 Off-Road Package. In this case, it's equipped with the 6.2-liter gas V8, which has 156k miles on the clock, as well as the six-speed automatic transmission. Currently, this truck has a fair market value of around $25,000.

2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD

Next up, we have this 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, which is a Crew Cab 4x4 model with the gas 6.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic gearbox. It has 109k miles on the clock and has been fitted with off-road-focused tires, all of which gives it a value of around $40k.

2019 Ram 2500 HD

The final member of our heavy-duty trio is this 2019 Ram 2500 HD, another Crew Cab 4x4 model with the 6.4-liter gas V8, an eight-speed automatic, and 102k miles showing on the odometer. This particular truck came from the Denver Airport's fleet and has a market value of around $30k.

Pros and Cons

As one might imagine, all of these trucks are well-used and have their flaws, but what really matters is how they perform today. As for the Chevy, that isn't terribly great, as its powertrain combination isn't exactly efficient or high-performing, though its independent front suspension at least gives it a quality ride. The Ram is a bit older but its powertrain is a bit more potent, and it rides pretty well, making it a fairly enticing buy given the fact that it's priced at $10k less than the Silverado. 

Pros and Cons

Then we have the F-250, which our hosts call "relatively" comfortable, and it's easy to move around tight spaces as well. While it has less power than its rivals, the Super Duty feels every bit as fast, according to our hosts, and it has held up incredibly well in spite of its higher mileage, which fares well for the coming years and its new owner. 

Verdict

At the end of the day, there is no clear winner here, as one half of the TFLT duo prefers the Ford, while the other likes the Ram better. Both have their pros and cons, as the F-250 is easier to get around in and more fun off-road thanks to its beefier hardware, while the Ram is a very usable machine thanks to its longer bed. Regardless, the top takeaway here is the fact that all of these trucks have held up quite well in spite of taking heavy abuse over the years, which is certainly good news for those in the market for one. 

>>Join the conversation about this comparison of heavy-duty trucks right here in the forum.

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