A three-quarter-ton truck is the common name for a heavy-duty pickup in the 2500 or F-250 class. In the new-truck market, the meaningful choices are the Ford F-250 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, GMC Sierra 2500 HD, and Ram 2500.
These trucks are not limited to a literal 1,500-pound payload. Depending on cab, engine, drivetrain, bed, options, and axle rating, some carry more than 4,000 pounds. The right truck depends less on the biggest advertised towing number and more on the trailer’s loaded tongue or pin weight, the truck’s actual payload label, and how often you tow.
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Best three-quarter-ton trucks compared
| Truck | 2026 starting MSRP* | Maximum advertised towing | Maximum advertised payload | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | $45,975 | Up to 22,000 lb conventional | Up to 4,240 lb in specified configurations | Broad configuration choice and towing technology |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD | $45,600 | Up to 22,070 lb for specified Crew Cab configurations | Configuration-specific | Gas and diesel capability with extensive camera aids |
| GMC Sierra 2500 HD | $47,000 | Up to 20,000 lb conventional; up to 21,870 lb fifth-wheel/gooseneck | Up to 3,863 lb in specified Crew Cab configurations | More upscale cabin and standard trailering equipment |
| Ram 2500 | $46,855 | Up to 19,900 lb with the available High-Output Cummins | Up to 4,580 lb with the 6.4-liter gas engine | Diesel torque and a comparatively distinctive unloaded ride |
*Manufacturer pricing excludes the effects of destination charges, options, incentives, and price changes. Maximum ratings require specific configurations and are not directly comparable across brands.
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Best overall: Ford F-250 Super Duty
The F-250 is the most broadly adaptable choice in this group. It is available as a Regular Cab, SuperCab, or Crew Cab, with multiple bed lengths and two- or four-wheel drive. Engine choices include the 6.8-liter gas V8, 7.3-liter gas V8, 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8, and high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy Clip-on Install - no tools or additional hardware required
- Molded to fit Factory Mirrors
- Extension does not interfere with OE Mirror Glass
- Mirrors can be folded Without removing extensions
- Includes both Driver and Passenger Side Mirror Extensions
Ford lists up to 22,000 pounds of conventional towing for particular F-250 configurations. That number is not representative of every F-250: engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, tires, drivetrain, GVWR package, and hitch equipment all affect the rating. Ford also notes that an F-250 towing more than 18,200 pounds conventionally may require High-Capacity Axle Upgrade Package 535 with certain 18- or 20-inch tires.
Ford’s towing technology is a major advantage. Available Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch estimates bed payload and trailer tongue weight, while Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps steer a trailer in reverse. Trailer-oriented blind-spot monitoring is also available on applicable configurations.
Choose the F-250 if: you want the widest selection of body styles and powertrains, or you regularly switch between utility, towing, and work uses.
Best for diesel torque: Ram 2500
The Ram 2500 offers the highest published diesel torque figure in this comparison. Its available High-Output 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six produces 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, with maximum advertised towing of 19,900 pounds.
The standard 6.4-liter Hemi V8 produces 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. In specified configurations, Ram rates the gas truck for up to 4,580 pounds of payload and up to 17,440 pounds of towing. That gas payload figure illustrates why a diesel is not automatically the best choice: the heavier diesel engine can reduce the amount of payload left for passengers, tools, and fifth-wheel pin weight.
Ram’s coil-spring rear suspension is unusual in this class. It can produce a more agreeable unloaded ride than some traditional heavy-duty setups, but the buyer should pay close attention to the individual truck’s payload label before pairing it with a large fifth-wheel trailer.
For 2026, Ram also offers Black Express and Warlock variants. Their equipment and pricing should be confirmed in the current configurator because manufacturer pricing can change.
Choose the Ram 2500 if: maximum available diesel torque is your priority, or you value its suspension design and interior presentation.
Best trailering camera system: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
The Silverado 2500 HD uses a 6.6-liter gas V8 producing 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque, or an available 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 producing 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft. Both engines use a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission.
Chevrolet lists up to 19,080 pounds of gas towing and up to 36,000 pounds with the diesel across its HD range. The 36,000-pound figure applies to 3500 HD configurations, not the 2500 HD. For the Silverado 2500 HD specifically, Chevrolet advertises up to 22,070 pounds of Crew Cab towing capability. The detailed trailering tables are essential because the applicable number changes with cab, bed, engine, drivetrain, wheel size, GVWR, and hitch type.
The Silverado’s main advantage is its integrated trailering hardware and software. Depending on configuration, it can provide up to eight camera views, trailer-focused views, an in-vehicle trailering app, and Transparent Trailer technology. Chevrolet also supplies a vehicle-specific trailering label on the driver-door jamb with information such as GVWR, rear GAWR, payload, maximum tongue weight, and curb weight.
Rank #2
- Easy Clip-on Install - no tools or additional hardware required
- Molded to fit Factory Mirrors
- Extension does not interfere with OE Mirror Glass
- Mirrors can be folded Without removing extensions
Choose the Silverado if: you want strong gas and diesel options and expect to use cameras and built-in trailer tools frequently.
Best upscale alternative: GMC Sierra 2500 HD
The GMC Sierra 2500 HD shares its core powertrains with the Silverado 2500 HD, but it is positioned as the more upscale member of the GM pair. Trim levels include Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate, although not every trim is available with every cab, engine, or drivetrain.
For specified Crew Cab configurations, GMC lists up to 20,000 pounds of conventional towing, 21,870 pounds of fifth-wheel or gooseneck towing, and 3,863 pounds of payload. A Regular Cab configuration can reach 22,390 pounds of fifth-wheel or gooseneck towing and 4,049 pounds of payload. Those figures are configuration-specific rather than general Sierra 2500 ratings.
The Sierra includes or offers a trailer brake controller, Trailering Package, ProGrade Trailering System, MultiPro tailgate, and as many as 13 camera views depending on trim and options. Its Denali and Denali Ultimate versions are especially appealing if the truck will spend as much time serving as a daily driver as it does pulling equipment.
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Gas or diesel: which engine makes sense?
A gas engine is usually the sensible choice for occasional towing, shorter trips, and buyers who need to preserve as much payload as possible. It generally costs less to buy and avoids some diesel-specific maintenance and emissions-system complexity.
A diesel makes more sense for frequent heavy towing, long mountain grades, large fifth-wheel trailers, and drivers who value low-rpm torque and exhaust-braking capability. The higher purchase price and engine weight are easier to justify when the truck regularly performs that work.
Do not compare engines using horsepower alone. Diesel trucks often tow more, but the added weight can lower the payload available for people, cargo, hitch hardware, and trailer pin weight. A gas 2500 may be the better match for a heavy bed-carrying or fifth-wheel application if its actual payload is higher.
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Payload matters more than the headline tow rating
A trailer can be below a truck’s maximum tow rating and still overload the truck. Conventional trailers commonly place about 10% of their loaded weight on the hitch. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers commonly place about 15% on the truck’s pin or hitch.
For example, a 15,000-pound fifth-wheel may put approximately 2,250 pounds on the truck before adding passengers, fuel, tools, a hitch, camping equipment, or aftermarket accessories.
Available payload
- passengers
- cargo
- hitch or fifth-wheel hardware
- trailer tongue or king-pin weight
= remaining payload capacityUse the actual Tire and Loading Information label on the specific truck, not a dealer listing or brochure maximum. The label’s payload figure already reflects that vehicle’s cab, engine, options, and equipment. Also check:
Rank #3
- Universal In Application And Position
- Clips Directly Onto Existing Mirrors For Quick Setup With No Tools Required
- Extends Your Towing Vision Up To 7”
- Adjustable Arms Fit Tight On Any Mirror For A Steady Vibration-Free Ride
- GVWR, the maximum loaded weight of the truck.
- Rear GAWR, especially with a heavy pin or tongue load.
- GCWR, the combined truck-and-trailer limit.
- Receiver, ball, fifth-wheel, and gooseneck hitch ratings.
- Tire load ratings and the trailer’s loaded axle weights.
When a 3500 or F-350 is the better purchase
Move up to a one-ton truck when you regularly tow a large fifth-wheel or gooseneck, carry substantial pin weight, or need room for several passengers, tools, auxiliary fuel, and camping equipment. A 3500 or F-350 often provides a more useful payload margin than a heavily equipped Crew Cab diesel 2500.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A 3500 is not automatically the right answer. It can cost more, ride more firmly, and have a higher step-in height. Base the decision on the trailer’s loaded pin or tongue weight and the truck’s actual door-label payload. If the calculation is close, the heavier-duty model is usually the more comfortable choice.
What “three-quarter-ton” does not mean
The name is a class nickname, not a precise 1,500-pound payload promise. Current F-250 and 2500 trucks can have payload ratings well above 4,000 pounds in selected configurations.
It also does not mean every truck in a model line can tow the advertised maximum. The highest rating may require a particular engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, tires, GVWR package, and hitch. Finally, Nissan Titan and Titan XD should not be treated as current competitors: Nissan lists the 2024 Titan as its final model year.
FAQ
What is the best three-quarter-ton truck overall?
The Ford F-250 Super Duty is the strongest all-around choice because it offers the broadest range of cab, bed, drivetrain, and engine configurations, along with useful towing tools such as Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
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Is a Ram 2500 better than an F-250 for towing?
It depends on the trailer and configuration. The Ram 2500 offers up to 1,075 lb-ft of diesel torque, while the F-250 offers a wider range of configurations and a higher advertised conventional-towing maximum in selected versions. Compare the exact truck’s payload, GCWR, hitch rating, and trailer weight rather than model-line headlines.
Should I buy a gas or diesel three-quarter-ton truck?
Choose gas for occasional towing, shorter trips, and maximum payload value. Choose diesel for frequent heavy towing, long grades, large fifth-wheel trailers, and low-rpm torque. Diesel weight can reduce available payload, so check the truck’s door-jamb label.
When should I choose a 3500 instead of a 2500?
Choose a 3500 or F-350 when a large fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer will place substantial pin weight on the truck, or when passengers, tools, and accessories leave little payload margin. The loaded trailer and actual truck label should make the decision.
The Bottom Line
The Ford F-250 is the best all-rounder, the Ram 2500 is the torque leader, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD has one of the most comprehensive trailering camera and software packages, and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD is the upscale GM alternative.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBefore buying any of them, weigh the loaded trailer and inspect the exact truck’s payload label. If fifth-wheel pin weight consumes most of that capacity, a 3500 or F-350 is likely the safer and more flexible starting point.
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