INTRO:
Fierce is almost too weak a word for the level of competition in the truck market – even in the HD segment. Why is that? This is a growing segment – and the trucks are expensive. Well over 20 percent of total North American truck sales are now HD pickups – and of those, 90 percent tow regularly. These are trucks that probably have an average transaction cost of $75,000 each; so, you can see why the Big Three are fighting so hard for market share. Each year, the Big Three taunt each other with higher tow ratings and ever increasing horsepower and torque numbers, and these are what’s highlighted in the advertising, either in print or on video. For 2021, (at least for now), this is how those numbers stack up.
First – Ram is claiming a Max tow rating of 37,100 lb – on the 3500
Second – Ford is claiming a Max tow rating of 37,000 lb – on the F450
Third – GM’s Max tow rating is 36,000 lb – on the 3500.
However, there is a bit of smoke and mirrors involved here. While the numbers are genuine, each of these top numbers is achieved by just one version of each of these trucks. In each case, regardless of manufacturer, the Max tow rating applies to a Regular Cab, base model trim, dual rear wheel, 4×2 truck. In other words, a truck that very few will ever buy. If you build the most popular truck – a crew cab, 4×4, mid-level trim package – the average weight goes down. If there is a cautionary tale here, it’s never take that Max number to heart. Build your truck first and then find out what its exact payload and tow numbers are.
For each of the HD builders, we’ve compiled a list of what’s new on the trucks for 2021 – current weight ratings and the most recent noteworthy updates. Here they are:
2021 FORD F250, F350, F450
In 2020, Ford announced an all-new gas engine for Super Duty – the 7.3L V8. This addition gave HD customers two gas engine choices – the standard 6.2L V8 and now the 7.3L V8, both paired with new 10-speed automatic transmissions designed specifically for HD. The new 7.3L gas V8 design is built on decades of Ford’s commercial engine experience, meant to provide durability, ease of maintenance, and the towing and payload capability customers want. As for the diesel option – the 6.7L Power Stroke is now in its third generation; it too is paired with the 10-speed TorqShift automatic.
2021 ENGINES and TRANSMISSION
- 6.2L V8 385hp 430 lb-ft paired with 10-speed Auto
Note* TorqShift heavy-duty 6-speed automatic with SelectShift is paired with the F-250 6.2L gas only - 7.3L V8 430hp 475 lb-ft paired with 10-speed Auto
- 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V8 475hp 1,050 lb-ft
Highlights for 2021 model year
Manual-folding, manually telescoping, power glass trailer tow mirrors with heated glass and heated convex spotter mirror
10-way power passenger seating replaced with 8-way
Floor Mats, All-Weather optional on XLT and Lariat
Adaptive Steering – optional on Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum; std on Limited
Deleted — Windshield Wiper De-icer PACKAGES
Payload and Towing for 2021
*Each segment report shows the range from lowest to highest across all possible build configurations in that specific segment.
F250 SRW 4×2 – PAYLOAD – 3,520 lb to 4,260 lb
Conventional Towing 12,900 lb to 15,200 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 12,900 lb to 22,800 lb
F250 SRW 4×4 PAYLOAD – 3,040 lb to 3,820 lb
Conventional Towing 12,500 lb to 15,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 12,500 lb to 21,800 lb
F350 SRW 4×2 PAYLOAD – 3,040 lb to 4,500 lb
Conventional Towing 12,500lb to 18,200
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,100 lb to 22,800 lb
F350 SRW 4×4 PAYLOAD – 2,890 lb to 4,960 lb
Conventional Towing 12,100 lb to 20,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 12,000 lb to 22,400 lb
F350 DRW 4×2 PAYLOAD 5,960 lb to 7.210 lb
Conventional Towing 13,300 to 21,200 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing – 12,500 lb to 35,750 lb
F350 DRW 4×4 PAYLOAD 5,530 lb to 7,210 lb
Conventional Towing 12,800 lb to 21,200 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing – 12,000 lb to 35,400 lb
F450 DRW 4×2 PAYLOAD 5,630 lb to 6,210 lb
Conventional Towing 21,200 lb to 24,200 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing 34,600 lb to 37,000 lb
F450 DRW 4×4 PAYLOAD 5,320 lb to 5.900 lb
Conventional Towing 21,200 lb to 24,200 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing – 32,600 lb to 36,400 lb
2021 GENERAL MOTORS CHEVROLET and GMC HD 2500 & 3500
GMC Sierra HD, for example, features a new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission mated to its 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel.
Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel is tuned to 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. Performance is also improved thanks to increased cooling capacity delivered by improved air induction.
Sales-wise, GM reports that 2020 was its best HD sales year ever, up 59 percent over 2019. Also, GMC in Canada led with all-time record Denali sales volume.
2021 Engines and Transmissions – (New in 2020)
- All new – 6.6L V8 401hp 464 lb-ft of torque
Paired with Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic (6.6L gas)
- 6.6L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque
Paired with the Allison 10-speed Auto Transmission
Highlights for 2021 model year
The Silverado HD is offering up to a class-leading available 15 unique camera views and eight cameras for towing confidence.
Segment-first “transparent” trailer view to virtually see through a trailer in tow.
Special Edition Packages this year are:
-
- Carhartt Edition: the Carhartt Edition is offered exclusively on the LTZ
- Midnight Edition: Available on black LT and LTZ trims
- Z71 Sport Edition: Available on LT and LTZ trims
- Z71 Chrome Sport Edition: Available on LT and LTZ trims
Payload and Towing for 2021
*Each segment report shows the range from lowest to highest across all possible build configurations in that specific segment.
2500HD SRW PAYLOAD – 3,615 lb to 3,991 lb
Conventional Towing 14,500 lb to 18,500 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,900 lb to 18,600 lb
3500HD – SRW PAYLOAD – 4,148 lb to 4,493 lb
Conventional Towing 14,500 lb to 20,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,700 lb to 21,500 lb
35000HD DRW PAYLOAD – 5,944 lb to 7,466 lb
Conventional Towing 16,300 lb to 20,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,200 lb to 35,500 lb
Note* GM makes no distinction between 4×2 and 4×4 weight capacities.
2021 RAM 2500 & 3500
2019 was the major generational update for the HD Rams, having beaten both Ford and GM to the punch; they laid down power and weight numbers that sent their Detroit rivals scrambling. For 2021, they have tweaked the numbers to stay ahead of Ford. Specifically, for 2021 they released the following updates.
- Ram 3500 Heavy Duty with Cummins 6.7L High Output Turbo Diesel brings total torque to 1,075 lb-ft
- Segment best 37,100-lb. gooseneck towing capacity
2021 ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS
- Cummins 6.7L H.O. turbo-diesel – 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque (available only in the 3500) paired with the Aisin AS69RC six-speed auto.
- Cummins 6.7L turbo-diesel (standard) – 370hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to the 68RFE six-speed Auto.
- 6.4 L Hemi V8 – base engine in both HD’s – 410hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. Features VVT with Fuel Saver Technology cylinder deactivation. Paired to the TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic.
Highlights for 2021 model year
- 2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Edition
- Off-road Pages now available on Power Wagon show ride height, transfer case position, pitch and roll and accessory gauges
- Ram Heavy Duty models offer the Limited Night Edition
Payload and Towing for 2021
*Each segment report shows the range from lowest to highest across all possible build configurations in that specific segment.
2500HD SRW 4×2 PAYLOAD – 2580 lb to 4010 lb
Conventional Towing 14,440 lb to 18,600 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,900 lb to 19,790 lb
2500HD SRW 4×4 PAYLOAD – 2030 lb to lb 3680
Conventional Towing 13,560 lb to 18,500 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- 16,900 lb to 19,330 lb
3500HD SRW 4×2 PAYLOAD – 4420 lb to 7680 lb
Conventional Towing 13,920 lb to 23.000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- ** lb to 26,830 lb
3500HD DRW 4×2 PAYLOAD – 5950 lb to 7,680 lb
Conventional Towing 14,080 lb to 23,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- ** lb to 37,100 lb
*A Gooseneck hitch is required for trailers over 30,000 lbs
3500 DRW 4×4 PAYLOAD – 5420 lb to lb 7280
Conventional Towing 13,660 lb to 23,000 lb
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Towing- ** lb to 34,660 lb
*A Gooseneck hitch is required for trailers over 30,000 lbs
That wraps up the snapshot of what’s new in HD trucks – till it changes again. Rest assured it will as this is an uber-competitive market. Lastly – make sure you verify the payload and tow numbers of the truck you’re thinking of buying – before you buy it.
