The 2020 model year is a big year for the heavy-duty pickup segment. Not only is GM rolling out the all-new 2020 Silverado HD and Sierra HD, but the Blue Oval is launching a freshened Ford Super Duty and Ram is launching a new Ram Heavy Duty. All trucks arrive on the scene with more muscle and more towing than their 2019 model year predecessors.
For its part, Ford just released the specs of its Super Duty trucks, which made us wonder how it matches up to the GM trucks on paper. To find out, we pulled out the technical sheets of the diesel-engined trucks and lined them up to see how they do in a spec sheet war. So without further ado, let’s have a look at maximum power, maximum torque, and maximum towing for the GM and Ford models.
6.6L L5P Duramax Turbodiesel V8
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s first look at what each engine is bringing to the table, starting with the 2020 Silverado HD and Sierra HD. These two workhorses offer identical mechanical specs, as both are powered by the GM 6.6L L5P V8 turbodiesel Duramax engine. Originally introduced for the 2017 model year as a successor to the last-gen 6.6L Duramax LML V8, the L5P is the most powerful diesel engine GM has ever produced. The basics include an iron block, aluminum heads, OHV valve train, and 16.0:1 compression ratio. The engine mates to the GM-designed and Allison-branded 10-speed automatic transmission.
Ford 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel Third-Gen
Meanwhile, Ford uses the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 that, like the L5P, is also the most powerful diesel engine the GM’s cross-town rival has ever built. Framed as a third-generation PowerStroke, this engine features an iron block and aluminum heads, OHV valve train, and 15.8:1 compression ratio. Ford is also offering it with a 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift automatic transmission.
On to the specs. As a cursory glance reveals, the 2020 Ford Super Duty has the 2020 Silverado HD and Sierra HD beat on all fronts, at least in terms of maximum numbers examined in this diesel particular comparison.
Peak power figures show the 2020 Silverado HD and Sierra HD down 30 ponies, with 445 horsepower posted by the GM trucks and 475 horsepower from the Ford.
Torque differences are more dramatic, with the GM products making 910 pound-feet versus the 1,050 pound-feet posted by the Ford. Hence, GM is down 140 pound-feet. Interestingly, the peak figures arrive at identical engine RPMs for both trucks.
The power and torque deficits translate into lower maximum towing numbers for the 2020 Silverado 3500HD and Sierra 3500HD, with a figure of 35,500 pounds from the GM products via fifth-wheel/gooseneck. Meanwhile, the 2020 Ford Super Duty F-350 posts a slightly higher 35,750 pounds.
The 2020 Ford Super Duty F-450 boasts a 37,000-pound max tow rating, a 1,500-pound difference compared to its GM rivals… though it’s worth noting that the F-450 does not represent a direct comparison to the GM 3500HD trucks
| Vehicle | Engine | Displacement | Configuration | Power (hp) @ RPM | Torque (lb-ft) @ RPM | Maximum Towing (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Silverado HD | Duramax Turbodiesel V8 L5P | 6.6L | OHV | 445 @ 2800 | 910 @ 1600 | 35500 |
| 2020 Sierra HD | Duramax Turbodiesel V8 L5P | 6.6L | OHV | 445 @ 2800 | 910 @ 1600 | 35500 |
| 2020 Ford Super Duty F-350 | Power Stroke V8 Diesel | 6.7L | OHV | 475 @ 2800 | 1050 @ 1600 | 35750 |
| 2020 Ford Super Duty F-450 | Power Stroke V8 Diesel | 6.7L | OHV | 475 @ 2800 | 1050 @ 1600 | 37000 |
We should note that these are the paper specs, and don’t take into account how each truck “feels” when being pushed to the limit. Traditionally, the GM trucks have delivered the most confident-feeling towing experience, despite having slightly less maximum trailering figures on paper. Whether or not that will continue to be the case for this generation of heavy-duty trucks has yet to be determined. But, for the time being, Ford looks to have the biggest numbers in the segment, though – per tradition – we don’t expect that to remain the case for too long, as the game of one-upmanship will continue to rage on.
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Comments
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to predict this move by Ford. I have been saying for awhile that GM needed to be working on the next Duramax upgrade. Not everyone agreed with me but now GM is playing catch-up with a brand new truck. It’s yet to be seen how it will perform in real world tests but you can bet Ford will be screaming from the rooftops about their class leading numbers.
Ford has always made sure that their numbers were the highest. Ironically, they are typically 2-3 going up Ike Gauntlet. It has been that way for years. Will that continue? We will see, but their spec sheets have always been more powerful than their pickups actually are.
These numbers are really just a silly PR stunt. Only a small percentage of customers are buying a regular cab work truck in order to pull anything close to this much weight. I can’t imagine the horrible ride an unladen regular cab F450 subjects its drivers too.
In most states, drivers are required to possess a commercial license once the weight goes over 24,000lbs . So again, very few people will ever be towing these amounts with these trucks. If someone invests the money into vehicles and equipment to pull this much weight for a business, they most likely will be purchasing a Kenworth.
I don’t know how the manufacturers are getting away with this, because I could not imagine putting that much weight behind a 8000lb or less vehicle and think it is a safe option to offer consumers who may not fully understand the dynamics and physics of heavy towing.
The 2020 Ford Super Duty F-450 boasts a 37,000-pound max tow rating, a 1,500-pound difference compared to its GM rivals.
GM don’t hav a rival for the F-450 unless you go to the new medium duty truck. In comparing the one tons the Ford is only rated 250 pounds more.
Ford’s F-450 pickup isn’t a medium-duty/Class 4 truck. Its GVWR (14K) puts it in the same class as the heaviest models of Silverado 3500 or Ram 3500. The F-450 chassis cab is a Class 4 truck with a higher GVWR and payload, but lower towing. Early models of F-450 pickup (2008-10) were full Class 4 trucks (GVWR 16.5K).
Mine is bigger than yours!
seriously though. fords are notoriously more expensive, less comfortable and more gas consuming, not that any HD is light on gas, but when you need to tow massive loads, it is nice to only nuke the wallet, not death star it.