... to high-strength C-rails for its commercial grade cab-chassis. Ford has a new, high-strength, boxed frame up front to withstand its high axle loads.

Ford has the stiffest ride and is the most likely to endure a constant beating in the dirt. Its improved steering gear has less play than the Chevy’s, but the power assist is overkill there is little resistance on the turn, which is better off road than on. Dodge’s rack-and-pinion steering raises concerns over durability, but it proved the most precise and effortless. Both Dodge and Ford come with stabilizer bars. All can be had with off-road shocks and underbody skid plates and come standard with four-wheel disc brakes. Ford’s under-the-blinker headlamp design keeps beams low to the ground to prevent blinding, a nice safety touch.

Comparing Heavy-Duty Pickups
Chevrolet Silverado/
GMC Sierra 2500/3500
Dodge Ram
2500/3500
Ford Super Duty
F-250/350/450
Cab Styles
Regular, Extended, Crew

Regular, Quad Cab,
Mega Cab

Regular, SuperCab, Crew
Cargo Boxes
Regular 6 ft (78.7 in.),
Long 8-ft (97.6 in.)
Short 6 ft (75.9 in.),
Reg. 6 ft (76.3 in.),
Long 8 ft (98.3 in.)
Reg. 6 ft (81.8 in.),
Long 8 ft (98 in.)
Engines
6.0L V-8 Vortec
5.7L HEMI Magnum V-8
5.4L V-8 Triton,
6.8L V-10 Triton,
6.6L V-8 Duramax Turbocharged Diesel
6.7L Cummins I-6 Turbo Diesel
6.4L V-8 Power Stroke Twin-Turbo Diesel
Power & Torque (hp/lb-ft)
353 hp @ 5,400 rpm/373 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm (6.0L)
345 @ 5,400/375
@ 4,200 (5.7L)
300 @ 5,000/365
@ 3,750 (5.4L)
365 @ 3,200/660
@ 1,600 (6.6L)
350 @ 3,013/650
@ 1,500 (6.7L)
362 @ 4,750/457
@ 3,250 (6.8L)
350 @ 3,000/650
@ 2,000 (6.4L)
Transmissions
Six-speed automatic (standard)
Five-speed auto (optional w/ gas)
Six-speed man.
overdrive (std. w/ all)
Six-speed Allison automatic (std. w/ diesel)
Six-speed man. overdrive (std.w/ all)
Five-speed auto
(opt. w/ all)
Six-speed auto (opt. w/ diesel)
Fuel Type
Regular unleaded,
ultra-low sulfur diesel, B20
Regular, ULSD, B20
Regular, ULSD, B5
Fuel Economy Estimates (mpg city/highway)
Gas: 15/20
N/A
N/A
Diesel: 13/18
13/18
13/18
Diesel as Tested: 12.0
12.7
9.2
Steering
Power-assisted
recirculating ball
Power rack and pinion
Power recirculating ball
Suspension
Independent short/long arm front w/ torsion bar
Ind. SLA front w/ coil springs, stab. bar
Ind. twin or mono beam front w/ coil 
Hotchkiss-type rear
(live axle, leaf springs)
Hotchkiss-type rear
springs, stabilizer bar
Hotchkiss-type rear
Wheelbase (min/max)
133/167 in.
140.5/160.5 in.
137/200.8 in.
Turning Circle (min/max)
45.3/55.1 ft
44.6/52.5 ft
42.3/57.9 ft
Headroom (front/rear)
41.4 in./NA
(reg. cab)
40.9 in./NA
(reg. cab)
41.4 in./NA
(reg. cab)
41.2 in./39.2 in.
(ext. cab)
40.8 in./40.0 in.
(Quad Cab)
41.4 in./38.4 in.
(Super Cab)
41.2 in./40.5 in.
(crew cab)
40.8 in./40.5 in.
(Mega Cab)
41.4 in./41.4 in.
(crew cab)
Legroom (front/rear)
41.3 in/NA
(reg. cab)
41.0 in./NA
(reg. cab)
41.0 in./NA
(reg. cab)
41.3 in./34.3 in.
(ext. cab)
41.0 in./36.7 in.
(Quad Cab)
41.0 in./31.8 in.
(Super Cab)
41.3 in./39 in.
(crew cab)
41.0 in./44.2 in.
(Mega Cab)
41.0 in./41.8 in.
(crew cab)
Payload/Towing Capacity
Up to 5,307 lb/16,700 lb
Up to 5,180 lb/16,350 lb
Up to 6,120 lb/24,500 lb
List Price
Starts at: $24,755
$27,040
$22,380
As tested: $49,629
$46,465
$51,925
Notes: ENR Equipment Research. extra Gear required for maximum towing. Diesel Fuel economy estimates provided by the Diesel Technology Forum. N/A=Not available.

Cab and Cargo

Bed dimensions vary slightly, with plus-size 6-ft or 8-ft beds. Only Dodge sells a third, “short” 6-ft bed for its Mega Cab, which allows nearly enough room behind the rear seat to store an extra transmission or two. The Rolls Royce of crew cabs also gives broad shoulders room to relax and recline after a long day.

Chevy’s new cargo rack is a nice $175 option for those who carry toolboxes in the bed, even though it looks cheap. The F-250 is the only truck that comes with a locking tailgate as standard equipment. For $375 more, it has a new 1,000-lb-capacity step and handrail that fold out to ease ingress and egress into the bed. ENR...