Highlights
General Motor's Sierra and Silverado HD lines are largely carryovers from the 2024 model year with minimal changes in the payload and towing categories. Additionally, there are no changes to the Duramax L5P-Allison 10 speed powertrain configuration. Ford Motor Company's Super Duty lineup is also more-or-less the same for 2025 with only minor adjustments.
The most significant changes for 2025 come from Ram. Ram has dropped the standard output diesel engine and the High Output 6.7 liter Cummins, previously only available in the Ram 3500, is now the only diesel option available throughout the entire HD lineup - Ram 2500 owners now get the more powerful engine option. Additionally, the heavily revised Cummins Turbodiesel adds an additional 10 horsepower to its peak rating, bringing total power to 430 horsepower. Torque remains at a whopping 1,075 lb-ft.
Another improvement for the Ram HD is the now-standard TorqueFlite HD 8 speed automatic transmission. The widely anticipated powertrain improvement puts the Cummins in a more competitive position. GM and Ford began using 10 speed transmissions for the 2020 model year, leaving Ram as the only 6 speed units left in the segment. The 10 speed transmissions have been largely successful and the array of available ratios keeps the engine in its powerband regardless of driving conditions. The new 8 speed transmission paired with the 6.7 Cummins Turbodiesel is sure to be a significant improvement over the previous setup.
In terms of payload and towing figures, Ram has also pulled back in the race. This is likely to signal that the capability of trucks in the pickup category has peaked and we can now expect them to plateau. Every manufacturer is now offering a vehicle configuration that is capable of towing 36,000 lbs or more - this weight approaches conditions in which a medium duty vehicle is a more practical choice for these needs. With stricter emissions regulations to take effect in 2027, it is likely we'll see manufacturers follows Cummins' lead and put more focus on engine efficiency and less on engine output.
2025 Ram Trucks Ram 2500 HD, 3500 HD
| Model | Ram 2500 HD | Ram 3500 HD SRW | Ram 3500 HD DRW | ||||
| Engine | 6.7 liter Cummins I-6 | ||||||
| Peak Horsepower | 430 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm | ||||||
| Peak Torque | 1,075 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm | ||||||
| Transmissions | TorqueFlite HD 8 speed automatic | ||||||
| Max GVWR | 10,190 lbs | 12,300 lbs | 14,000 lbs | ||||
| Max GCWR | 28,110 lbs | 34,000 lbs | 45,000 lbs | ||||
| Max FAWR | 4x2 | 5,500 lbs | 4x2 | 5,500 lbs | 4x2 | 5,500 lbs | |
| 4x4 | 6,000 lbs | 4x4 | 6,000 lbs | 4x4 | 6,000 lbs | ||
| Max RAWR | 6,040 lbs | 7,000 lbs | 9,750 lbs | ||||
| Max Payload | 2,750 lbs | 4,400 lbs | 6,050 lbs | ||||
| Max Conventional Tow | 20,000 lbs | 23,000 lbs | 23,000 lbs | ||||
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 20,000 lbs | 26,080 lbs | 30,000 lbs | ||||
| Max Gooseneck Tow | 20,000 lbs | 26,080 lbs | 36,610 lbs | ||||
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,000 miles | ||||||
2025 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 Super Duty
| Model | F-250 | F-350 SRW | F-350 DRW | F-450 DRW | ||||
| Engine | 6.7 liter Power Stroke V-8 | |||||||
| Peak Horsepower | 475 hp @ 2,600 rpm (standard output) 500 hp @ 2,600 rpm (high output) |
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| Peak Torque | 1,050 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm (standard output) 1,200 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm (high output) |
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| Transmission | TorqShift 10 speed automatic | |||||||
| Max GVWR | 11,400 lbs | 12,400 lbs | 14,000 lbs | 14,000 lbs | ||||
| Max GCWR | 31,000 lbs | 35,200 lbs | 45,600 lbs | 48,000 lbs | ||||
| Max FAWR | 4x2 | 5,000 lbs | 4x2 | 5,000 lbs | 4x2 | 5,300 lbs | 5,600 lbs | |
| 4x4 | 5,600 lbs | 4x4 | 5,600 lbs | 4x4 | 5,600 lbs | |||
| Max RAWR | 6,340 lbs | 4x2 | 7,230 lbs | 4x2 | 10,300 lbs | 9,900 lbs | ||
| 4x4 | 6,780 lbs | 4x4 | 9,900 lbs | |||||
| Max Payload | 3,636 lbs | 4,504 lbs | 6,558 lbs | 5,933 lbs | ||||
| Max Conventional Tow | 22,000 lbs | 25,000 lbs | 28,000 lbs | 30,000 lbs | ||||
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 23,000 lbs | 27,600 lbs | 35,000 lbs | 35,000 lbs | ||||
| Max Gooseneck Tow | 23,000 lbs | 27,600 lbs | 38,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | ||||
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,00 miles | |||||||
2025 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500 HD, 3500 HD
| Model | Sierra/Silverado 2500 HD | Sierra/Silverado 3500 HD SRW | Sierra/Silverado 3500 HD DRW | |||
| Engine | 6.6 liter Duramax L5P V-8 | |||||
| Peak Horsepower | 470 hp @ 2,800 rpm | |||||
| Peak Torque | 975 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | |||||
| Transmission | Allison 10 speed automatic | |||||
| Max GVWR | 11,450 lbs | 12,150 lbs | 14,000 lbs | |||
| Max GCWR | 30,000 lbs | 30,000 lbs | 43,900 lbs | |||
| Max FAWR | 4x2 | 5,200 lbs | 4x2 | 5,200 lbs | 4x2 | 5,600 lbs |
| 4x4 | 5,600 lbs | 4x4 | 5,600 lbs | 4x4 | 6,000 lbs | |
| Max RAWR | 6,600 lbs | 7,250 lbs | 10,400 lbs | |||
| Max Payload | 4,022 lbs | 4,482 lbs | 6,644 lbs | |||
| Max Conventional Tow | 20,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs | |||
| Max 5th Wheel Tow | 22,420 lbs | 22,420 lbs | 32,000 lbs | |||
| Max Gooseneck Tow | 22,420 lbs | 22,420 lbs | 36,000 lbs | |||
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 year/100,00 miles | |||||
2025 Best-in-Class Titles
Best-in-Class Diesel Horsepower
2025's highest power engine offering is the 2025 Super Duty's 500 horsepower High Output 6.7L Power Stroke V-8, although the standard output (475 hp) Power Stroke also bests any of its competitors. GM's revamped 6.6L Duramax diesel comes in a close second with a peak 470 horsepower, and the Ram's High Output 6.7L Cummins comes in third at 430 horsepower.
Best-in-Class Diesel Torque
The 1,200 lb-ft High Output 6.7L Power Stroke claims the title for highest available diesel torque output, with the H.O. 6.7L Cummins coming in second place at 1,075 lb-ft. The 6.6L Duramax comes in third at 975 lb-ft peak output.
Best-in-Class Payload
The 2025 Ford Super Duty earns best-in-class payload (4,504 lbs) for a single rear wheel truck while the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 3500 HD's claim greatest payload in the dual rear wheel class at 6,644 lbs.
SRW runner up - GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 3500 HD at 4,482 lbs
DRW runner up - Ford F-350 Super Duty at 6,558 lbs
Best-in-Class Conventional Tow Rating
At 25,000 lbs, the 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty earns best-in-class for conventional tow rating in the single rear wheel sub-category. The 2025 Ford F-450 Super Duty takes the maximum dual rear wheel conventional tow title at an astonishing 30,000 lbs available capacity.
SRW runner up - Ram 3500 HD at 23,000 lbs
DRW runner up - Ram 3500 HD at 23,000 lbs
Best-in-Class 5th Wheel Tow Rating
The single rear wheel Ford F-350 and dual rear wheel F-350/F-450 take the best-in-class 5th wheel tow titles for the 2024 model year at 27,600 and 35,000 lbs respectively.
SRW runner up - Ram 3500 HD at 26,080 lbs
DRW runner up -GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 3500 HD at 32,000 lbs
Best-in-Class Gooseneck Tow Rating
At 27,600 lbs, the 2025 Ford F-350 earns the best-in-class gooseneck tow rating for the single rear wheel vehicle category. For dual rear wheel trucks, the 2025 Ford F-450 takes the max gooseneck tow rating at 40,000 lbs when properly equipped.
SRW runner up - Ram 3500 HD at 26,080 lbs
DRW runner up - Ram 3500 HD at 36,610 lbs
Definitions & Vehicle Classes
All ratings and capacities for gasoline equipped trucks have been omitted from the data featured in this article. For more information on gasoline versions of the vehicles discussed herein, please refer to the manufacturer's model specific web page. "Max" refers to maximum available rated capacity in model's lineup with any and all applicable applicable equipment upgrades. Actual ratings will vary by vehicle configuration and optional equipment packages.
Definitions
- 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).
- Payload - Maximum weight of combined cargo that a vehicle can carry (excluding trailers).
- Conventional tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when towing using a conventional "bumper pull" receiver hitch.
- 5th Wheel Tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when towing using a 5th wheel hitch system.
- Gooseneck Tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when using a gooseneck hitch system.
- 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.
- SWR - Single Rear Wheel
- DRW - Dual Rear Wheel
Applicable Vehicle Classes
This article is limited to Class II and Class III domestic pickup trucks as classified by Federal Highway Administration standards. Under these classifications, a Class II vehicle has a GVWR no less than 6,001 lbs and no greater than 10,000 lbs. A Class III vehicle has a GVWR no less than 10,001 lbs and no greater than 14,000 lbs. With the exception of the Ram Trucks Ram 2500 model, all vehicles listed in this segment fall under the category of a Class III vehicle.
All mentions of "Best-in-Class" refer to the highest available rating offered in a domestic, diesel powered Class III pickup truck. Due to significant differences in vehicle payload and towing capacities, titles are then split in single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) sub-categories.