| GVWR | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight of a vehicle and its cargo, including passengers (excluding trailers). | GCWR | Gross Combined Weight Rating. Maximum rated combined weight of a vehicle, its cargo, and trailer(s). |
| FAWR | Front Axle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight that can be applied to the axle. | RAWR | Rear Axle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight that can be applied to the axle. |
| Payload | Maximum weight of combined cargo that a vehicle can carry (excluding trailers). | Conventional Tow | Maximum rated trailer weight when towing using a conventional "bumper pull" receiver hitch. |
| 5th Wheel Tow | Maximum rated trailer weight when towing using a 5th wheel hitch system. | Gooseneck Tow | Maximum rated trailer weight when using a gooseneck hitch system. |
| SRW | Single rear wheel | DRW | Dual rear wheel |
Ford's Super Duty claims a majority of this year's "best-in-class" accolades, do in part to improvements to F-350 and F-450 models in addition to mild revisions of the 6.7L Power Stroke, bumping peak horsepower to the 450 mark and torque to 935 lb-ft. Ford's announcement of new numbers for the Power Stroke came shortly after Ram announced their H.O. Cummins would produce a whopping 930 lb-ft (up from 900 lb-ft), allowing them to briefly claim the title for best-in-class torque.
General Motors seems to be taking a different approach with their 2500HD/3500HD platform. The long-lived Duramax diesel, Allison transmission combination remains relatively untouched for 2018, as do the models tow figures. While GM hasn't been chasing Ford and Ram in towing ratings lately, 3500HD models are able to tow up to 23,300 lbs. One could argue that GM's approach is largely practical - 23,000 lbs is far more capacity than the average owner will ever need. As Ram Trucks and Ford Motor Company's tow figures rise into the medium duty realm, one must wonder - what percentage of owners will actually haul 30,000+ lbs with their pickup?
Meanwhile, the 1/2 ton segment is being shaken up by the introduction of Ford's 3.0L Power Stroke diesel for F-150 models. The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and Nissan Titan XD remain largely unchanged, though the new F-150 is likely to spark a fuel economy and capability race with the Ram.
2018 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon
| Engine | 2.8L Duramax LWN inline 4 cylinder |
| Peak Horsepower | 181 hp @ 3,400 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | GM 6L50 six speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 6,000 lbs (4x2), 6,200 lbs (4x4) |
| Max GCWR | 12,700 lbs |
| Max Payload | 1,532 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 7,700 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | N/A, vehicle not equipped for 5th wheel tow capability |
| EPA Rated Fuel Economy | up to 22 mpg city, 30 mpg hwy |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/60,000 miles |
2018 Ram 1500
| Engine | 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 240 hp @ 3,600 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 420 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | ZF 8HP70 'TorqueFlite 8' eight speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 6,950 lbs |
| Max GCWR | 14,750 lbs |
| Max Payload | 1,600 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 9,240 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 9,240 lbs |
| EPA Rated Fuel Economy | up to 21 mpg city, 29 mpg hwy |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,000 mile |
2018 Ford F-150
| Engine | 3.0L Power Stroke Diesel |
| Peak Horsepower | 250 hp @ 3,250 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 440 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | Ford 10R80 10 speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | TBA |
| Max GCWR | TBA |
| Max Payload | 2,020 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 11,400 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 11,400 lbs |
| EPA Rated Fuel Economy | TBA - 30 mpg target |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,000 miles |
2018 Nissan Titan XD
| Engine | Cummins ISV5.0 V-8 |
| Peak Horsepower | 310 hp @ 3,200 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 555 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | Aisin A466ND six speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 8,990 lbs |
| Max GCWR | 19,540 lbs |
| Max Payload | 2,420 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 12,640 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 12,640 lbs |
| EPA Rated Fuel Economy | N/A - fuel economy not rated by EPA do to GVWR |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,000 mile |
2018 Sierra/Silverado 2500HD, 3500HD
| Model | Sierra/Silverado 2500HD | Sierra/Silverado 3500HD SRW | Sierra/Silverado 3500HD DRW |
| Engine | 6.6L Duramax L5P V-8 | 6.6L Duramax L5P V-8 | 6.6L Duramax L5P V-8 |
| Peak Horsepower | 445 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 445 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 445 hp @ 2,800 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | Allison 1000 six speed automatic | Allison 1000 six speed automatic | Allison 1000 six speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 10,000 lbs | 11,600 lbs | 13,025 lbs |
| Max GCWR | 25,300 lbs | 25,300 lbs | 31,300 lbs |
| Max FAWR | 5,200 lbs(2WD), 5,600 lbs (FWD) | 5,200 lbs(2WD), 5,600 lbs (FWD) | 5,200 lbs(2WD), 5,600 lbs (FWD) |
| Max RAWR | 6,200 lbs | 7,050 lbs | 9,375 lbs |
| Max Payload | 3,204 lbs | 4,230 lbs | 5,518 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 14,500 lbs | 15,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Tow | 18,100 lbs | 17,600 lbs | 23,300 lbs |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,00 miles | 5 year/100,00 miles | 5 year/100,00 miles |
2018 Ram 2500 HD, 3500 HD
| Model | Ram 2500 HD | Ram 3500 HD SRW | Ram 3500 HD DRW |
| Engine | 6.7L Cummins I-6 | 6.7L Cummins I-6 | 6.7L Cummins I-6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 350 hp @ 2,800 rpm (G56 manual) 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto) |
350 hp @ 2,800 rpm (G56 man) 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto) 385 hp @ 2,800 rpm (Aisin auto) |
350 hp @ 2,800 rpm (G56 man) 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto) 385 hp @ 2,800 rpm (Aisin auto) |
| Peak Torque | 660 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (G56 manual) 800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto) |
660 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (G56 manual) 800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto) 930 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (Aisin auto) |
660 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (G56 manual) 800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto) 930 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (Aisin auto) |
| Transmissions | Mercedes G56 six speed manual Chrysler 68RFE six speed automatic |
Mercedes G56 six speed manual Chrysler 68RFE six speed automatic Aisin AS69RC six speed automatic |
Mercedes G56 six speed manual Chrysler 68RFE six speed automatic Aisin AS69RC six speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 10,000 lbs | 12,000 lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| Max GCWR | 25,300 lbs | 25,300 lbs | 39,100 lbs |
| Max FAWR | 5,000 lbs (2WD) 6,000 lbs (4WD) |
5,500 lbs (2WD) 6,000 lbs (4WD) |
5,500 lbs (2WD) 6,000 lbs (4WD) |
| Max RAWR | 6,200 lbs (2WD) 6,010 lbs (4WD) |
7,000 lbs (2WD) 6,200 lbs (4WD) |
9,750 lbs (2WD) 9,350 lbs (4WD) |
| Max Payload | 3,160 lbs | 4,520 lbs | 6,720 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 17,000 lbs | 17,000 lbs | 17,000 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Tow | 17,980 lbs | 17,910 lbs | 31,210 lbs |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,000 miles | 5 year/100,000 miles | 5 year/100,000 miles |
2018 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 Super Duty
| Model | F-250 Super Duty | F-350 Super Duty SRW | F-350 Super Duty DRW | F-450 Super Duty |
| Engine | 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 | 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 | 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 | 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 |
| Peak Horsepower | 450 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 450 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 450 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 450 hp @ 2,800 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 935 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm | 935 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm | 935 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm | 935 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm |
| Transmission | Ford TorqShift six speed automatic | Ford TorqShift six speed automatic | Ford TorqShift six speed automatic | Ford TorqShift six speed automatic |
| Max GVWR | 10,000 lbs | 11,500 lbs | 14,000 lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| Max GCWR | 28,700 lbs | 28,700 lbs | 40,000 lbs | 42,800 lbs |
| Max FAWR | 5,250 lbs (2WD) 5,990 lbs (4WD) |
5,250 lbs (2WD) 6,000 lbs (4WD) |
5,250 lbs (2WD) 5,990 lbs (4WD) |
5,600 lbs (2WD) 6,000 lbs (4WD) |
| Max RAWR | 6,340 lbs | 6,780 lbs (2WD) 7,230 lbs (4WD) |
10,300 lbs (2WD) 9,900 lbs (4WD) |
9,900 lbs |
| Max Payload | 3,866 lbs | 4,502 lbs | 7,247 lbs | 5,630 lbs |
| Max Conventional Tow | 18,000 lbs | 18,000 lbs | 21,000 lbs | 21,000 lbs |
| Max 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Tow | 18,500 lbs | 21,500 lbs | 32,000 lbs* | 34,000 lbs* |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,00 miles | 5 year/100,00 miles | 5 year/100,00 miles | 5 year/100,00 miles |
*Factory 5th wheel hitch rated at maximum 27,500 lbs trailer weight. A gooseneck hitch must be used for trailers weighing greater than 27,500 lbs.
2018 Best-in-Class Horsepower, Torque, & Capability (3/4 and 1 ton trucks only)
"Class" used herein per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle weight classifications.
• Class 2 (3/4 ton pickups) - Trucks with a GVWR range of 6,001 to 10,000 lbs.
• Class 3 (1 ton pickups) - Trucks with a GVWR range of 10,001 to 14,000 lbs. Class 3 trucks have been divided into single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) categories.
Best-in-Class Horsepower
Ford Super Duty (F-250/350/450), 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel; 450 horsepower @ 2,800 RPM
2nd place - Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD, 6.6L Duramax Diesel; 445 horsepower @ 2,800 RPM
3rd place -
Ram Trucks Ram 2500/3500 HD, 6.7L Cummins Diesel; 385 horsepower @ 2,800 RPM
Best-in-Class Torque
Ford Super Duty (F-250/350/450), 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel - 935 lb-ft @ 1,800 RPM
2nd place - Ram Trucks Ram 2500/3500 HD, 6.7L Cummins Diesel; 930 lb-ft @ 1,700 RPM
3rd place -
Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD, 6.6L Duramax Diesel; 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
Best-in-Class Payload
Class 2 - Ford F-250 Super Duty @ 3,866 lbs
Class 3 SRW - Ram Trucks Ram 3500 HD @ 4,520 lbs
Class 3 DRW - Ford F-350 Super Duty @ 7,247 lbs
Best-in-Class Conventional Tow
Class 2 - Ford F-250 Super Duty @ 18,000 lbs
Class 3 SRW - Ford F-350 Super Duty @ 18,000 lbs
Class 3 DRW - Ford F-350/F-450 Super Duty @ 21,000 lbs
Best-in-Class 5th Wheel Tow
Class 2 - Ford F-250 Super Duty @ 18,500 lbs
Class 3 SRW - Ford F-350 Super Duty @ 21,500 lbs
Class 3 DRW - Ram Trucks Ram 3500 HD @ 31,210 lbs
Best-in-Class Gooseneck Tow
Class 2 - Ford F-250 Super Duty @ 18,500 lbs
Class 3 SRW - Ford F-350 Super Duty @ 21,500 lbs
Class 3 DRW - Ford F-450 Super Duty @ 34,000 lbs
Sources: www.ford.com, www.chevrolet.com, www.gmc.com, www.ramtrucks.com