The best 3/4-ton truck is the one whose own ratings cover the trailer you plan to tow. This guide compares the Ford F-250, Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD. Their makers list starting prices from $45,995 to $47,300, and every one offers a gas V8 and a diesel engine.
| Truck |
Starting price |
Engines (hp / lb-ft) |
Maker's stated maximum towing |
| 2027 Ford F-250 |
$46,125 |
7.3L gas V8: 420 / 445. 6.7L High-Output diesel V8: 500 / 1,200 |
23,000 lb gooseneck, 22,100 lb fifth wheel, 22,000 lb conventional (diesel) |
| 2026 Ram 2500 |
$45,995 |
6.4L HEMI V8: 405 / 429. High-Output 6.7L Cummins diesel I6: 430 / 1,075 |
20,000 lb (High-Output diesel); hitch type not stated |
| 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD |
$46,200 |
6.6L gas V8: 401 / 464. Duramax 6.6L diesel V8: 470 / 975 |
22,420 lb; hitch type not stated |
| 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 HD |
$47,300 |
6.6L gas V8. Duramax 6.6L diesel V8: 470 / 975 |
22,390 lb; hitch type not stated |
All figures were read from each maker's own website on 13 October 2026. Starting prices are the makers' "starting at" prices for the lowest trim and leave out taxes and dealer fees, so ask every dealer for an out-the-door price. Each towing figure applies only to the configuration the maker specifies, and the four makers do not state them on the same basis, so the table is not a ranking.
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These four trucks were compared on the figures a shopper can check before visiting a dealer: starting price, engines, and whatever towing and payload figures each maker states for its 2500 or 250 model. The picks come from published data, not test drives. Every figure was read from Ford, Ram, Chevrolet or GMC's own website or towing guide on 13 October 2026, and model years are given with each truck because Ford has moved to 2027 while the others were still showing 2026.
Ford, Ram, Chevrolet and GMC also quote heavy-duty maximums for their whole lines, which include the 3500 and F-350 and dual-rear-wheel trucks. Those line-wide figures are left out here. Where a maker gave a figure only for its whole heavy-duty range, or did not say which 2500 configuration it applies to, the guide says so or leaves the figure out. The trucks are not ranked against each other on towing or payload, because the makers state those maximums for different configurations.
The 2027 Ford F-250 starts at $46,125 for the XL, and Ford gives separate F-250 maximums for conventional, fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing, which the Ram, Chevrolet and GMC pages read for this guide do not. On the F-250 XL page and in the 2027 Super Duty towing guide, the 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke diesel tows up to 22,000 lb conventional, 22,100 lb fifth wheel and 23,000 lb gooseneck. The towing guide lists the 7.3L gas V8 at up to 18,200 lb conventional and 19,500 lb fifth wheel or gooseneck.
Ford lists five F-250 trims on its build and price page: XL from $46,125, XLT from $49,425, Lariat from $63,125, King Ranch from $78,725 and Platinum from $79,615. The 7.3L gas V8 (420 hp, 445 lb-ft) is standard on every one, and the 6.7L High-Output diesel (500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft) is available on every one.
Ford's towing guide ties each maximum to a specific axle ratio and configuration, and the guide notes that its highest diesel ratings require the F-250 High-Capacity Axle Upgrade Package. Read the row for the exact truck you are shopping. Ford's guide also tells owners to make sure the truck's payload will accommodate the trailer's tongue weight.
The 2026 Ram 2500 starts at $45,995 for the Tradesman, and Ram publishes separate maximum towing and payload figures for its gas and diesel engines. Ram's capability page lists the 6.4L HEMI V8 at 405 hp and 429 lb-ft, with up to 17,750 lb of towing and 3,930 lb of payload. The available High-Output 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel I6 makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft, with up to 20,000 lb of towing and 3,600 lb of payload.
Ram does not say whether its 20,000 lb diesel figure is for a conventional, fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. The same page lists a maximum GVWR of 11,040 lb, an available fifth-wheel and gooseneck prep package with a factory-installed rear-axle crossmember, an available auto-level rear air suspension, and an available 50-gallon fuel tank on Crew Cab models with the 8-foot bed.
Ram's own figures show a trade-off worth knowing: the gas HEMI has the higher stated maximum payload and the diesel has the higher stated maximum towing. A buyer who carries a heavy load in the bed may weigh those two numbers differently from one who tows a long trailer.
The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD starts at $46,200 on Chevrolet's build page, and every Silverado HD can be ordered with the Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel V8. Chevrolet's Silverado HD page lists the 6.6L gas V8 at 401 hp and 464 lb-ft and the Duramax at 470 hp and 975 lb-ft, each with a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission.
Chevrolet gives the 2500 HD a maximum trailering weight of 22,420 lb, and 22,070 lb for a 2500 HD Crew Cab. Chevrolet does not say which hitch type those figures use. The higher figures on the same page, such as 36,000 lb, belong to the 3500 HD, not the 2500 HD.
The 2500 HD comes as a Regular Cab with a long bed, or as a Double Cab or Crew Cab with a standard or long bed. Chevrolet lists an unloaded weight range of 6,266 to 8,408 lb for the 2500 HD, and available trailering tools including hitch view, transparent trailer view and a bed view camera that helps with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitching.
The 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 HD starts at $47,300 for the Pro, and GMC states both a towing and a payload maximum for the 2500 HD on its model page. The payload maximum is 4,049 lb. GMC's Sierra HD page gives the 2500 HD a maximum available towing figure of 22,390 lb, and up to 21,870 lb for the 2500 HD Crew Cab.
The Pro comes with a 6.6L gas V8 and an Allison 10-speed automatic, plus a trailering package, trailering mirrors and a trailer brake controller. The Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel V8, rated at 470 hp and 975 lb-ft, is available. GMC did not state the gas V8's output on the pages read for this guide.
GMC lists an unloaded weight range of 6,257 to 8,484 lb for the 2500 HD. GMC's trim cards show towing figures as high as 36,000 lb, which GMC's own FAQ gives as the 3500 HD maximum, so use the 2500 HD figures above when you shop a 2500.
A 3/4-ton truck suits a fifth wheel when the trailer's pin weight, your passengers and your cargo all fit within that particular truck's payload and its maker's fifth-wheel rating. Ford states F-250 fifth-wheel maximums of 22,100 lb with the diesel and 19,500 lb with the gas V8. The Ram, Chevrolet and GMC pages read for this guide state one maximum towing figure for the 2500 without naming the hitch type.
Payload matters for a fifth wheel because the hitch sits in the bed, so the truck carries the trailer's pin weight along with passengers and cargo. Ford's towing guide tells owners to make sure the truck's payload will accommodate the trailer's tongue weight, and Ford says each Super Duty's towing and payload depend on its configuration. Use the payload figure for the specific truck you are buying, not the brochure maximum.
- Get the fifth wheel's loaded weight and pin weight from its maker or a scale.
- Get the payload figure for the specific truck and subtract passengers, cargo and the hitch.
- Find the maker's towing-guide row for that exact engine, cab, bed and axle ratio.
- Check that the truck has, or can take, a fifth-wheel prep package or hitch.
For help choosing the trailer itself, see Fifth wheel vs travel trailer and Toy hauler vs travel trailer.
A diesel raises the stated maximum towing figure on every 3/4-ton truck here whose maker gives separate gas and diesel numbers. Ford's F-250 goes from 19,500 lb with the gas V8 to 23,000 lb with the diesel, both on a gooseneck hitch. Ram's 2500 goes from 17,750 lb with the HEMI to 20,000 lb with the High-Output Cummins.
A gas engine can still be the better fit for some buyers. Ram's gas 2500 has the higher stated maximum payload, 3,930 lb against 3,600 lb for the diesel. If your trailer weighs well under the gas engine's rating, compare the price of the diesel option on the maker's build page before deciding.
Start with the trailer, then pick the truck. Use this order to narrow the shortlist:
- Write down the trailer's loaded weight, tongue or pin weight and hitch type.
- Choose gas or diesel from the maker's figures for that hitch type.
- Pick the cab, bed and trim, and read that configuration's row in the maker's towing guide.
- For the truck you want to buy, check its own payload figure against your passengers, cargo and hitch load.
Our truck buying guide explains half-ton versus heavy-duty trucks, and the best tow vehicles guide covers payload and towing capacity in more detail. When your shortlist is ready, compare 3/4-ton trucks for sale from dealers on Searchshop.
The answers below use the same maker figures as the rest of the guide, read on 13 October 2026.
A 3/4-ton truck is a heavy-duty pickup in the 2500 or 250 class, such as the Ford F-250, Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD or GMC Sierra 2500 HD. GMC describes its Sierra 2500 HD as a three-quarter-ton truck that sits between the half-ton Sierra 1500 and the one-ton Sierra 3500 HD. Despite the name, GMC states a maximum payload of 4,049 lb for the 2500 HD, well over three-quarters of a ton.
A 3/4-ton truck can tow a fifth wheel when that truck's payload and its maker's rating cover the trailer. Ford rates the 2027 F-250 for up to 22,100 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch with the diesel. Ram offers a fifth-wheel and gooseneck prep package on the 2500. Always check the pin weight against the payload of the specific truck.
A diesel does not always carry more payload. Ram states a maximum payload of 3,930 lb for the gas 2026 Ram 2500 and 3,600 lb for the High-Output diesel, while the diesel has the higher towing figure. Payload changes with cab, bed, trim and options, so check the payload figure for the specific truck you are buying.
A new 3/4-ton truck starts at $45,995 to $47,300 before taxes and fees, based on the makers' prices on 13 October 2026. The 2026 Ram 2500 Tradesman starts at $45,995, the 2027 Ford F-250 XL at $46,125, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD at $46,200 and the 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Pro at $47,300. Higher trims cost more.
Every figure in this guide comes from these pages, read on 13 October 2026.
