While there aren’t very many people who require a truck that can accommodate a gooseneck trailer and tow over 30,000 lbs, these customers do exist, and for them, there are beastly trucks like the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD and Ford Super Duty F-350.
The Fast Lane Truck recently put these two American heavyweights to the test. The YouTube channel assembled both a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD and a Ford Super Duty F-350 for a comparison test, but that’s not all. They also acquired an 11,0000 lb, 40-foot Ironbull trailer for the test, which they loaded up with a18,860 lb CAT mini excavator. They then drove both trucks up into the Colorado Rockies, seeing how they dealt with the 30,000 lb load while towing uphill and downhill.
Both of the trucks TFL Truck acquired for its test were equipped with the available diesel engine. In the Sierra 3500HD, the optional diesel is a 6.6L L5P Duramax diesel V8 engine, which is paired with an 10-speed Allison-branded automatic transmission. The Ford, meanwhile, gets a 6.7-liter Powerstroke V8 and 10-speed automatic. The GMC is good for 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, while the Ford makes 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet.
If you’re wondering where the 2020 Ram 3500 was for this test, Fiat Chrysler has experienced some production delays with its next-generation heavy-duty pickups, so they didn’t have one available for TFL Truck‘s comparison. The channel plans to obtain a Ram 3500 once they are available and conduct the same test with it, however.
The TFL Truck reviewers were impressed with both trucks during this comparison, but they were disappointed to see that neither were able to hold a set speed on cruise control while towing the load downhill. They also had some other complaints and compliments for both trucks, so be sure to check out the video embedded below to hear their full verdict.
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Comments
Well at least the GM…. um… at least it…. dang, I got nothing.
Maybe once they redesign the…. oh, this is the new one.
Ugh, well… how about… the future is electric?
The GMC performed smoothly, it wasn’t struggling it just did it slower. This is about as hard as it gets so anything else wouldn’t be a problem. But of course if its flat out racing the Ford up the hill then it needs more power. Which hopefully they should be working on trying to amp it up anyway.
It’s time they do a upgrade
Should have been a 10 speed allison. Not sure why they went with 6. With a diesel you need to keep the revs in the sweet spot.
Sir it is a 10 speed.
Did you read the article?
Correct, it’s a fake 10 speed Allison.
Just like a fake powerstroke?!?!
My mistake. I did watch the vid the other day. Was thinking about something else.
I guess stupid drivers will make stupid comments on this test,
The performance tests are an extreme event run at Max combined rating in mid winter on one of largest interstate grades in the US, something relatively few will ever do. I would be interested in seeing performance comparisons at something like 18-20k trailer weight, high frontal 5th wheel or gooseneck, on Baker grade, in the middle of summer, an event many people will do with these trucks going between LA and Vegas. Include the Ram this time. The quickest time at the nurburgring doesn’t mean a car will win a race.
One disclaimer here should be that the driver, Mr. Truck, was a Ford truck salesman, and nationally recognized for top five Ford sales for several consecutive years. He is a knowledgeable person in the trailering industry, but may not be completely unbiased.
It look like gm need to go back to the drawing board it gets harder an harder to be a gm fan
Wow, what a beat down!
Third best selling truck!
Either their oversight or lack of knowledge that GMC diesel trucks have exhaust braking. They mention Ford exhaust braking was engaged but no mention of GMC exhaust braking. For apples to apples comparison, it’s just plain stupid they didn’t activate the GMC Diesel trailer braking when going downhill. No wonder they had to pump the GMC brakes 9 times compared to 5 times with the Ford. And the mention the Ford rear axel gear ratio of 3.55 but make no mention of GMC rear axel ratio – which is probably different. It would appear this comparison is biased towards Ford. This comparison is not a good review. It’s another unfair comparison pushed out onto the internet – where everything must true, right?
Don’t get excited yet.
Now Ford has won its first Ike for as long as I can remember—after all the years of bragging about most horsepower and torque.
I’m thinking GM isn’t quite done yet.
You heard it from me first—the next Duramax will be a Straight 6 —based on the new straight 6 in the half tonne trucks.
My experience(I’m on a farm with V and Straight engines all around us)a V engine should not be close to torque to what a Straight 6 engine can be.
Right upfront, I am a Ford guy with bought new Powerstrokes – the 7.3 and 6.0 that I still own today. I have had a 6.4. I can’t afford a 6.7 but I really don’t need one.
Not to bash GM/Duramax trucks, I haven’t had or driven one.
HOWEVER, when the ads that you put on the TV only spotlight the TAILGATE of your truck, with NO mention of the performance, comfort, or other features, then you might want to go back to the drawing board.
I had the tailgate step in my ’08 6.4 and it was ok but I don’t buy a truck so I can get a cool tailgate. I have a step stool or just do what folks have done since they invented the tailgate….. you know, step on the bumper and over it.
I wish we could go back to when each manufacturer had a unique design pattern. I was looking at the two trucks in the picture above and couldn’t help noticing that they look the same for the most part. It took a couple minutes to realize that what I thought was the Ford was actually the GMC!
Always excuses from the gm ‘tards
GM has some work to do. I cant remember the last time a Ford beat a GM truck up and down the hill, it has been a while. It may not have ever even happened before. Clearly though, FORD has brought the meat wagon on their 2020. I hope GM is paying attention, you better bring it….and bring it soon.
Ford 6.0 (fix Lt.)
I owned this POS, never again Ford.
Duramax 6.6 is a workhorse without the Blue oval issues.
Pretty sure the new Ford engine is a glorified Cummins
Ford sucks so bad the can’t even produce an engine.
To sum it up, Ford 6.0 almost ruined my business with a non stop repair schedule, better make friends with a mechanic if you shop Ford
F350 2003 6.0 89000km blown head gasket…. Junk
Lets see how this shapes up when the trucks have 60,000 miles on them (if the ford is still running, hasn’t had new head gaskets, and studs, and a transmission overhaul). So what if they win a race up a hill. Fords have been money pits, and that is not worth a few minutes of glory.