Heavy-Duty Truck: Getting the Job Done

8 May 2023

Autosphere » Fleet » Heavy-Duty Truck: Getting the Job Done

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Photo General Motors

These workhorses provide maximum capacity for your fleet.

The heavy-duty truck segment is regularly updated, and that’s always a benefit for fleets as these vehicles expand their capability and features. We’ve assembled the specs on what’s new, including for 2024 if available.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500

The Silverado 2500 gets a makeover for 2024, with refreshed exterior and interior styling, a power increase on the diesel engine, available 13.4-inch centre touchscreen, and more towing capacity. The gas engine now uses an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission as the diesel does, and blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control now include a trailer.

The Specs

Engines:

6.6-litre V8
6.6-litre Duramax V8 turbodiesel

Power:

401 hp/464 lb-ft torque (gasoline)
470 hp/975 lb-ft torque (diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

14,500 lbs (Regular Cab)
17,900 lbs (Double Cab)
20,000 lbs (Crew Cab)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

22,500 lbs (Regular Cab)
20,000 lbs (Double Cab)
21,900 lbs (Crew Cab)

Chevrolet Silverado 3500

The Silverado 3500 receives similar updates as the 2500, with new styling and 10-speed Allison automatic transmission mated to the gasoline engine, replacing its previous six-speed. All cab configurations are available with single or dual rear wheels.

The Specs

Engines:

6.6-litre V8
6.6-litre Duramax V8 turbodiesel

Power:

401 hp/464 lb-ft torque (gasoline)
470 hp/975 lb-ft torque (diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

20,000 lbs (all cabs)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

36,000 lbs (Regular Cab)
31,600 lbs (Double Cab)
31,500 lbs (Crew Cab)

Ford F-250

Ford’s Super Duty lineup is all-new for 2023, with a new 6.8-litre V8 as the standard engine, along with a stronger 7.3-litre V8 and available high-output diesel engine. The new styling includes grilles designed for improved cooling, and LED lights available on all trims. New features include onboard scales that measure payload and trailer tongue weight; blind-spot monitoring that covers a fifth-wheel trailer; tailgate-down rearview camera and reverse sensing system; and navigation that takes the trailer into account to avoid low bridges or tight turns.

The Specs

Engines:

6.8-litre V8
7.3-litre V8
6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel (standard or high-output)

Power:

400 hp/445 lb-ft torque (6.8-litre)
430 hp/485 lb-ft torque (7.3-litre)
475 hp/1,050 lb-ft torque (diesel)
500 hp/1,200 lb-ft torque (high-output diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

20,000 lbs (Regular Cab)
22,000 lbs (SuperCab)
22,000 lbs (Crew Cab)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

23,000 lbs (Regular Cab)
22,000 lbs (SuperCab)
22,000 lbs (Crew Cab)

Ford F-350

The redesigned 2023 Ford F-350 offers the same updates as the F-250, including available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist that steers the truck to the trailer ball; 360-degree camera package with bird’s-eye view of the truck, bed and trailer; and full-colour head-up display. Single or dual rear wheels are available. Both the F-250 and F-350 offer 4×2 in the base XL trim, while all other trims are 4×4 only. For even more capability, the Super Duty is available as the F-450, in Regular Cab or Crew Cab and only with dual rear wheels.

The Specs

Engines:

6.8-litre V8
7.3-litre V8
6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel (standard or high-output)

Power:

400 hp/445 lb-ft torque (6.8-litre)
430 hp/485 lb-ft torque (7.3-litre)
475 hp/1,050 lb-ft torque (diesel)
500 hp/1,200 lb-ft torque (high-output diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

24,800 lbs (F-350 Regular Cab)
26,700 lbs (F-350 Super Cab)
28,000 lbs (F-350 Crew Cab)
25,000 lbs (F-450 Regular Cab)
30,000 lbs (F-450 Crew Cab)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

38,000 lbs (F-350 Regular Cab)
37,600 lbs (F-350 SuperCab)
35,800 lbs (F-350 Crew Cab)
40,000 lbs (F-450 Regular Cab)
34,700 lbs (F-450 Crew Cab)

GMC Sierra 2500

A mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra also gets a makeover for 2024 with new styling and features, more towing capacity, and a 10-speed Allison transmission that replaces the six-speed automatic on the gasoline engine. A first-ever Denali Ultimate is offered, with premium interior including massaging seats, full-grain leather upholstery, power sunroof and digital rearview camera.

The Specs

Engines:

6.6-litre V8
6.6-litre Duramax V8 turbodiesel

Power:

401 hp/464 lb-ft torque (gasoline)
470 hp/975 lb-ft torque (diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

14,500 lbs (Regular Cab)
17,900 lbs (Double Cab)
20,000 lbs (Crew Cab)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

22,500 lbs (Regular Cab)
18,600 lbs (Double Cab)
21,900 lbs (Crew Cab)

GMC Sierra 3500

The Sierra 3500 shares updates with the 2500 for 2024, including the new styling and features. As with the Sierra 2500, the 3500 offers such available features as cameras with up to 14 views including a “transparent” trailer view for conventional or gooseneck trailers; adaptive cruise control with trailering; and an all-new warning system if the vehicle and trailer exceed the truck’s GCWR. All configurations are available with single or dual rear wheels.

The Specs

Engines:

6.6-litre V8
6.6-litre Duramax V8 turbodiesel

Power:

401 hp/464 lb-ft torque (gasoline)
470 hp/975 lb-ft torque (diesel)

Maximum Towing Conventional:

20,000 lbs (all cabs)

Maximum Towing 5^th Wheel/Gooseneck:

36,000 lbs (Regular Cab)
31,600 lbs (Double Cab)
31,500 lbs (Crew Cab)

Ram 2500

Updates to the 2023 Ram 2500 include an available 12-inch digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror, reverse steering control with a trailer, and new telescoping towing mirrors. Ram offers a Regular Cab, but unlike its rivals, does not have an Extended Cab. Instead, it has a Crew Cab and then a Mega Cab, which has more rear-seat legroom along with storage space behind the rear seat. Available cabs are dependent on the trim selected. Note that Ram does not break out conventional vs fifth-wheel towing numbers.

The Specs

Engines:

6.4-litre V8
6.7-litre Cummins I6 turbodiesel

Power:

410 hp/429 lb-ft torque (gasoline)
370 hp/850 lb-ft torque (diesel)

Maximum Towing:

19,900 lbs (Regular Cab)
20,000 lbs (Crew Cab)
16,600 lbs (Mega Cab)

Ram 3500

The Ram 3500 receives the same updates for 2023 as the 2500 model. As with the 2500, the Ram 3500 comes in Regular, Crew or Mega Cab, depending on the trim level; and dual rear wheels are available with all configurations. While the 2500 offers a single diesel choice, the 3500 can be ordered with a high-output version.

The Specs

Engines: