When it comes to the heavy-duty pickup truck segment, the battle between Chevrolet and Ford has been ongoing for decades, with both brands constantly pushing the limits in terms of towing and payload capabilities. On the GM side, Chevy offers the Silverado 2500 HD and Silverado 3500 HD, which go head-to-head with the Ford F-250 Super Duty and F-350 Super Duty, respectively. However, Ford takes things one step further with the F-450 Super Duty, a truck designed specifically for maximum towing capacity beyond the F-350. For now, GM doesn’t offer a direct competitor for the Ford F-450, which makes us wonder – should GM build a Chevy Silverado 4500 HD for consumer applications?
Comparing towing and payload capabilities, the 2025 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is certainly a formidable machine, boasting a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds (16,329 kg) and a payload rating of 7,290 pounds (3,307 kg). However, Ford’s 2025 F-350 Super Duty edges it out slightly with 38,000 pounds (17,236 kg) of max towing capacity and a payload of 7,344 pounds (3,331 kg). Ford’s advantage becomes even more apparent when we step up to the F-450 Super Duty, which delivers a staggering 40,000-pound (18,143 kg) towing capacity, although payload drops to 5,983 pounds (2,713 kg) due to a range of heavier components.
| Max Towing Capacity (lbs / kg) | May Payload Capacity (lbs / kg) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD | 20,000 / 9,072 | 4,081 / 1,851 |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD | 20,000 / 9,072 | 4,081 / 1,851 |
| 2025 Ford Super Duty F-250 | 22,900 / 10,387 | 3,793 / 1,720 |
| 2025 Ram 2500 | 20,000 / 9,072 | 4,010 / 1,819 |
| 2025 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD | 36,000 / 16,329 | 7,290 / 3,307 |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD | 36,000 / 16,329 | 7,290 / 3,307 |
| 2025 Ford Super Duty F-350 | 38,000 / 17,236 | 7,344 / 3,331 |
| 2025 Ram 3500 | 37,090 / 16,824 | 7,680 / 3,484 |
| 2025 Ford Super Duty F-450 | 40,000 / 18,143 | 5,983 / 2,713 |
In terms of upgrades over the standard F-350, the F-450 boasts larger brakes, bigger axle shafts, heavy-duty tires, and a wider, more robust stance, all of which helps to boost the truck’s maximum towing capability. Additionally, the F-450 features a tighter turning radius, making it easier to maneuver compared to a standard dual-rear-wheel (DRW) F-350.
If GM were to introduce a Silverado 4500 HD aimed at consumer buyers (rather than medium-duty commercial applications), it would likely feature a reinforced frame, stronger suspension, and DRW-only configuration. Such a truck could be offered in WT (Work Truck), LT, and High Country trim levels, with the High Country model likely commanding a price tag over $90,000, bringing it in line with the 2025 Ford F-450 Platinum, which starts around $94,000.
We should also clarify that although GM already produces a Silverado 4500 HD model, it’s classified as a medium-duty truck and is available exclusively in a Chassis-Cab configuration, rather than a traditional heavy-duty pickup configuration. What’s more, the current model serves commercial and fleet applications, rather than consumer truck buyers.
Would truck buyers be interested in a true Ford F-450 competitor from Chevrolet? If GM built a consumer-focused Silverado 4500 HD with the same heavy-duty towing capability as the F-450, would it find an audience? Let us know what you think by voting in the poll below!
Comments
If the economy wasn’t teetering on the edge, yes. But because it is, wait a while.
A class 4 truck is medium-duty by GVW. In this region you need to be commercial to license that truck, plus all the DOT regs kick in esp. if you want to pull that 40k trailer.
Second, obviously GM already has a 4500MD, and they’d be competing with themselves three ways with a 4500HD, as internal politics would mean a GMC version as well.
Third, if you need to trailer 40k on enough of a basis to justify a truck for it, consider a semi tractor. Seriously. You need the commercial licensing anyway, plus the tractor will be within its limits, versus a pickup operating at the edge of its “up to” capacity.
I always thought the term super duty was childish. What’s next, Ford, super duper duty?
IIRC the “Super Duty” WAS Ford’s F-450 back in the day; Ford just resurrected the name from their trademark basket and applied it the F250+ truck lines.
Super Duty goes back much further than that. Ford referred to some of their V8 engines as Super Duty back in the ’50s and ’60s. GM used the name too, on some of their Pontiac engines.
How about just a refresh and some updates on the current 4500 fixing the problems the current medium duty Silverado has encountered, maybe offer a max tow package .
The only way I would consider it was if it had the tighter turning radius. A friend has a Ford with the wide track front end. It is amazing, it will turn on a dime. I thought about a Chevy dully once till I took one for a ride. The turning radius was terrible and said I will never get one of those. Especially after seeing what a F450 will do.
Seriously where would you park this thing. On the tarmac at the airport.
The definite advantage Chevrolet has with the medium duty is the flip front end, makes doing pre-trips a lot easier. It could use a gas engine as an option.
Agreed.
Lots of Ford fleets have switched from the PSD to the Godzilla in recent years, citing lower operating costs, despite the Godzilla’s lower fuel economy numbers, and I know a significant portion of the Kodiaks GM sold back in the mid-2000s had the 8100 Big Block in them.
The cost of an off-warranty fuel or emissions system failure buys a lot of gasoline.
Ford’s “innovation” of putting the DEF filler right next to the fuel cap (which GM just had to copy versus keeping it under the hood) has also been costly. Any DEF in the diesel and it’s game over; sounds so stupid but it’s very easy to do at the pump.
Gas trucks used around town and not putting a ton of highway miles often have a lower operating cost than a Diesel, especially in a fleet that trades them in every few years. I knew several companies that swore by the old Vortec 8100.
I have calculated the cost per mile of my gas trucks vs my diesel. The diesel is noticeably cheaper than the gas, but it’s an older Pre DEF and particulate filter truck. I’m not sure it would still be cheaper because I’d have had to service some of the emissions stuff by now. (it’s high mileage)
GM need to focus on quality
A upgraded max tow package to add an extra few thousand pounds to the towing capacity to compete directly with Ford would be the better option. Larger rad, larger wheels and brakes etc. The 3500HD has higher payload than the f450, so it’s just towing bragging rights.