Full-size trucks are popular with drivers due to how versatile they can be depending on the person’s needs. They can be configured to carry plenty of passengers and equipment, they can typically tow a decent-sized boat or fifth wheel, and they have enough agility to maneuver through town and be easily parked. What make and model of full-size truck you choose depends largely on what you need it for. If your preference is to carry more people, you’ll want to choose a model with a roomy, comfortable cabin and likely a four-door trim. If you plan to tow something and know exactly what that is, you’ll want to choose a truck that meets that particular towing capacity. A family truck and work truck are going to have different desirable characteristics.
Chevy Silverado
The Chevy Silverado is one of the most work-friendly full-size trucks available. It features one of the top towing capacities of its class and offers two strong V8 engines. The interior is also comfortable and its technology is very user-friendly. Because of all the options available on the Silverado, it can be configured to the needs of a wide range of truck buyers. Whether they need a hardy work truck, a safe and comfortable passenger hauler or the weekend warrior truck that just needs to tow a boat or go off-road.
The versatility of the Silverado is probably its best feature. It’s not a stretch to say that there’s likely a Silverado configuration out there that will work for any truck buyer. The base model has an affordable price at $28,000 and is a great option for a work truck. It can be configured to be able to tow as much as 12,500 pounds. It also has one of the top payload capacities at 2,250 pounds. If you need more room for passengers than top towing ability, then you can configure it to carry as much as six people and have the peace of mind that comes with good scores on crash tests as well as driver assistance features. If you’re looking for a truck that can hold its own off-road, then you can invest in the Z71 configuration to increase the suspension ability.
Dodge Ram 1500
The Ram also has plenty of great features to appeal to truck buyers, but two stand out compared to the competition. The Ram’s smooth ride and low base price of about $27,000 are the two features where it solidly beats its competitors. Unlike the F-150 and Silverado, which use leaf springs in their rear suspensions, the Ram has coil over. The difference is that leaf springs were used in old wagons pulled by horses, while coil over are similar to the type of suspension in a sedan or SUV. The result obviously yields a much smoother ride than these other two trucks.
However, the trade off is that it cannot tow or haul as much as the Silverado or F-150, which is why it’s important to know what exactly you need from a full-size truck. The other two trucks have stayed with old suspension technology in order to make them heavy-duty haulers. If that’s not what you need, then the Ram may be a better fit. The Ram works well for those who are looking for a comfortable commuter or road trip truck with average hauling and towing ability. It also works well for those who want something inexpensive and basic for their work truck. If you need top towing and hauling, then you may need to look elsewhere.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 represents both the top towing and hauling ability for a full-size truck in this class. It has several powerful choices for an engine, and a few of those choices also offer good fuel economy. The F-150 is also quite agile for its size and the inside is reasonably comfortable. The base price of $27,000 is for a very basic F-150, which is most likely only going to appeal to someone looking for a basic work truck. Ford offers several trims, some with major price jumps.
In terms of its competition, the F-150 beats both in towing and hauling, as well as fuel economy for a gas engine. However, it can’t quite beat the fuel economy of the turbo diesel Ram. In essence, the F-150 is a very well-rounded truck, which likely explains its consistently high sales.
When you’re more concerned about a comfortable passenger experience, then the Ram is likely to be your first choice. If you’re looking for the best range of options to configure a totally custom truck, then the Silverado might be your first choice.