2024 HD Diesel Pickup Guide

2024 Highlights

• The 6.6L Duramax L5P receives an additional 25 horsepower and 65 lb-ft, putting peak output at 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque for 2024 model year GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado HD trucks. 2500 models from GM see significant tow rating increases when compared to the 2023 models, making the 3/4 ton pickup a more formidable option for customers with greater towing needs.
• New for 2024, Ford Motor Company and General Motors are both boasting optional on-board scale options with the capability to identify trailer and payload weights, alarming drivers when the vehicle is overloaded.
• The Ram HD platform remains largely unchanged in regards to its powertrain, although the bumper-pull tow ratings have increased across the Ram lineup as the result of a higher capacity hitch receiver. Despite overwhelming popularity, the Ram 1500's 3.0L EcoDiesel option has officially been retired and did not return for 2024 model year vehicles.

2024 Ram Trucks Ram 2500 HD, 3500 HD

2024 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 Super Duty

2024 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500 HD, 3500 HD

2024 Best-in-Class Diesel Title Holders

Best-in-Class Diesel Horsepower

2024's highest power engine offering is the 2024 Super Duty's 500 horsepower, High Output 6.7L Power Stroke V-8, although the standard output Power Stroke also bests any of its competitors. GM's revamped 6.6L Duramax diesel comes in a close second with a peak 470 horsepower, and the Ram's High Output 6.7L Cummins comes in third at 420 horsepower.

Best-in-Class Diesel Torque

The 1,200 lb-ft High Output 6.7L Power Stroke claims the title for highest available diesel torque output, with the H.O. 6.7L Cummins coming in second place at 1,075 lb-ft. Despite improved figures for 2024, the 6.6L Duramax comes in third at 975 lb-ft peak output. It is noteworthy that although the H.O. Cummins is only available in Ram 3500 models, both GM and Ford Motor Company offer the same power levels across their product range. For Ram 2500 models, torque output is limited to 850 lb-ft.

Best-in-Class Payload

The 2024 Ford Super Duty earns best-in-class titles for single and dual rear wheel sub-categories, with the F-350 Super SRW offering up to 4,811 lbs of payload and the DRW Ford F-350 offering up to 6,965 lbs of payload capacity.

SRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 4,610 lbs
DRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 6,830 lbs

Best-in-Class Conventional Tow Rating

At 25,000 lbs, the 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty earns best-in-class for conventional tow rating in the single rear wheel sub-category. The 2024 Ford F-450 Super Duty takes the maximum dual rear wheel convention tow title at an astonishing 30,000 lbs available capacity.

SRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 23,000 lbs
DRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 23,000 lbs

Best-in-Class 5th Wheel Tow Rating

The single rear wheel Ford F-350 and dual rear wheel Ford F-450 take the best-in-class 5th wheel tow titles for the 2024 model year at 27,400 and 35,000 lbs respectively.

SRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 26,780 lbs
DRW runner up - 2024 GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 3500 HD, 32,000 lbs

Best-in-Class Gooseneck Tow Rating

At 27,600 lbs, the 2024 Ford F-350 earns the best-in-class gooseneck tow rating for the single rear wheel vehicle category. For dual rear wheel trucks, the 2024 Ford F-450 takes the max gooseneck tow rating at 40,000 lbs when properly equipped. The question remains, who is actually towing 40,000 lbs of cargo with a class III pickup truck?

SRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 26,780 lbs
DRW runner up - 2024 Ram 3500 HD, 37,090 lbs

Definitions & Vehicle Classes

All ratings and capacities for gasoline equipped trucks have been omitted from the data featured in this article. For more information on gasoline versions of the vehicles discussed herein, please refer to the manufacturer's model specific web page. "Max" refers to maximum available rated capacity in model's lineup with any and all applicable applicable equipment upgrades. Actual ratings will vary by vehicle configuration and optional equipment packages.

Definitions

• GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight of a vehicle and its cargo, including passengers (excluding trailers).
• GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating. Maximum rated combined weight of a vehicle, its cargo, and trailer(s).
• Payload - Maximum weight of combined cargo that a vehicle can carry (excluding trailers).
• Conventional tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when towing using a conventional "bumper pull" receiver hitch.
• 5th Wheel Tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when towing using a 5th wheel hitch system.
• Gooseneck Tow - Maximum rated total trailer weight when using a gooseneck hitch system.
• FAWR - Front Axle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight that can be applied to the axle.
• RAWR - Rear Axle Weight Rating. Maximum rated weight that can be applied to the axle.
• SWR - Single Rear Wheel
• DRW - Dual Rear Wheel

Applicable Vehicle Classes

This article is limited to Class II and Class III domestic pickup trucks as classified by Federal Highway Administration standards. Under these classifications, a Class II vehicle has a GVWR no less than 6,001 lbs and no greater than 10,000 lbs. A Class III vehicle has a GVWR no less than 10,001 lbs and no greater than 14,000 lbs. With the exception of the Ram Trucks Ram 2500 model, all vehicles listed in this segment fall under the category of a Class III vehicle.

All mentions of "Best-in-Class" refer to the highest available rating offered in a domestic, diesel powered Class III pickup truck. Due to significant differences in vehicle payload and towing capacities, titles are then split in single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) sub-categories.