Towing Hard or Hardly Towing? These Are The Top Work Trucks For 2021

December 6, 2020December 14, 2020 Jack McCoy 0 Comments Better Built, Bully Dog, Fill-Rite, Ford Super Duty, GMC Sierra HD, Heavy Duty Trucks, Piusi, RAM 3500 HD, Silverado HD, Work Trucks

Summarizing the Great Truck Wars between Detroit’s Big Three goes something like this:

Ford-150 is the undefeated heavyweight champ.
Chevy Silverado is the most reliable runner-up in the history of time.
Ram 1500 is the feisty upstart rising in the ranks.
GMC Sierra is the all-important towel boy absorbing remaining customers like beaded sweat on a prize-fighter’s brow.

The heat of this competition has led to one certifiable winner: American consumers.

We love our pickups and the proof is in the pudding. Trucks now represent 72% of light vehicle sales in 2019 – up from 48% in 2009.

But what about the heavy-duty market?

These rigs serve a weightier purpose on jobsites, defined not just by their versatility but the strength of their pull. They are the work trucks more widely known as Super Duty F-350, Silverado 3500 HD, Ram 3500 HD, and Sierra HD.

These “Class 3” trucks are defined as having a gross vehicle weight between 10,001 and 14,000 pounds. And while they might not get as much public attention as their lighter-duty label mates, the competition is locked in a familiar saga with notable model advances debuting almost every year. In fact, HD models represent the second highest-selling truck class in the U.S., selling 327,000 units in 2019.

So, what truck do you want fighting in your corner? For 2021, these are the top work trucks, pound for pound, worth your consideration.

Available for heavy-duty trucks, CCI Wheel Simulators come in a variety of sizes and styles to complement the look of your work truck. *NEW 2021 RAM 3500 applications are in stock!

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD

Chevy earns the top-seeded spotlight thanks to a host of updates made to the Silverado HD line for 2021. Chief among these changes? A 500-pound tow rating increase, offering a total of 36,000-pounds on the Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck, regular cab, dual-rear-wheel, and two-wheel-drive models equipped with the 6.6L Duramax diesel, 10-speed Allison transmission, and Max Tow Package.

This Duramax diesel also pushes 910 lb-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm and features a max payload of 4,130 pounds.

To illustrate how crazy these tow ratings have become, Chevy recently shared that the new Silverado 3500 HD can tow five of its line mates all at once, including another 3500 HD, two 2500 HD trucks, and two light-duty Silverado trucks.

PIUSI EX100 Heavy-Duty AC-powered Fuel Pump — The EX100 fuel pump ensures safe and simple fuel transfer with high performance and continual duty. It is compact, versatile, and adapts to any working conditions, allowing you to use it wherever you need it most. Particularly suitable for heavy-duty applications, the AC-powered EX100 revolutionizes the stationary pump concept, offering a remote-mountable nozzle holder + switch for an easy access solution. *Vehicle Pictured: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD, GM Media*

Tech-Savvy Improvements

Trailering tech is also enhanced in the new Silverado 3500 HD, with the option to add up to 15 unique camera views from eight cameras. Matching the Silverado 1500, the heavy-duty model’s techy features include the Trailer Length Indicator (pictured), Jack-Knife Alert, Cargo Bed View, and Bed Hitch Guidance.

The Rear Trailer View feature now includes guidelines when backing a trailer into place as the Trailer-Angle Indicator displays the relationship between the truck and trailer.

Meanwhile, the Rear Side View enhancement provides a split view of the left and right sides of the truck and compatible trailer. This view was previously only available while driving forward and is now available in reverse for better trailer positioning.

The Work Truck trim includes the Safety Confidence Package with Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Information Center, and Steering Wheel Audio Controls. The front center console also includes extra storage.

And because Chevy loves a special package, the 2021 Silverado HD welcomes four unique versions to the HD lineup.

Based on the Silverado 2500 LTZ crew cab, the sharply-styled Carhartt Special Edition pairs with the Z71 Off-Road Package, adding tuned twin-tube Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control and skid plates to the mix. The Silverado Midnight Edition works from the LT Trail Boss and Custom Trail Boss trims. It sports an intimidating blacked-out appearance, 2-inch lift, and Z71 Off-Road Package goodies.

The Z71 Sport Edition and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition bump up the off-road capabilities. The former wears rugged monochromatic styling, while the latter adds some blingy accents to the package.

Ford Super Duty F-350

The Ford Super Duty is America’s top seller and for good reason. The Blue Oval makes a habit of pushing class boundaries for all its trucks, and that includes its best work truck, the Super Duty F-350.

For 2020, Super Duty debuted its 7.3L V8 with 430 hp and 475 lb-ft. of torque, joining the standard 6.2L V8 in Super Duty’s gas engine stable. The available third-gen 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8 was also upgraded to deliver 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, which helps raise its max gooseneck towing to an astounding 37,000 pounds.

The 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift^® automatic transmission is standard with the 7.3L V8 and 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8. Maximum payload capacity ranges from 3,720 pounds to a maximum of 7,850 pounds, depending on selected trim levels.

Fill-Rite 12-V Fuel Pump — The Fill-Rite 12 Volt DC Pump is a cast-iron, rotary vane fuel transfer pump designed for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel up to B20, E15, kerosene and mineral spirits. UL-certified and made in USA, this pump provides safe, heavy-duty performance in a compact size. Available in a wide selection of configurations with a manual or automatic nozzle, mechanical or digital meter, and a variety of fuel hose lengths, the H-Series is ideal for mobile and stationary applications that require a durable pump to withstand the elements and the test of time.

Tow With Confidence

The Super Duty’s new trailering technology includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes negotiating even the largest trailers into tight spaces a breeze. Drivers can actually take their hands off the steering wheel! The Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob steers the trailer via the reverse camera. At the same time, the Trailer Reverse Guidance shows trailer angle and direction while providing steering suggestions to navigate the trailer.

Both systems accommodate all trailer styles, including conventional, fifth wheel, and gooseneck designs.

Across the Super Duty range, an enhanced front-end design allows for optimized cooling and lighting performance under heavy loads. In fact, all dual-rear-wheel Super Duty trucks are fitted with a uniquely designed high-airflow grille optimized for maximum powertrain cooling. Also aiding in this is an improved front bumper and air dam.

Ford SuperDuty front end — Ford Super Duty, *Photo: Ford Media*

New for 2021, the Super Duty now offers a bed step option available in most trim levels. The base XL trim also includes manual folding, manual-telescoping power trailer tow mirrors with heated glass, and a heated convex spotter mirror for dual-rear wheel models. New colors include Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Gray and Lithium Gray.

RAM 3500 HD

The words towing and luxury rarely cross paths in the same sentence, but they are part of the regular conversation for RAM 3500 owners. That’s primarily thanks to the rear Hotchkiss leaf spring system with a supplemental air suspension system, which is especially helpful with handling on tight roads or when hauling large loads across town on the freeway.

With a max towing capacity of 35,100 pounds and 7,680 pounds of payload capacity, this truck is certainly capable of heavy-duty hauling.

Driving it all is the 6.7L Cummins High-Output I-6 Turbo Diesel, achieving 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 hp. The gas engine option features the 6.4L HEMI V8, delivering 410 hp at 5,6000 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

RAM 3500 HD Limited Night Edition, *Photo: RAM*

Special Model

For those who work hard but play way harder, RAM recently introduced the Limited Night Edition. This special trim adds some high style to your typical work truck, with monochromatic designs capped off by a black R-A-M grille, grille surround, badging, and exhaust tips. The headlamps and taillights feature dark bezels, while premium power mirrors with black caps and body-color bumpers are standard.

The trim also features 20-inch black wheels on single-rear-wheel trucks, and 17-inch black wheels with machined pockets on the dual-rear-wheel trucks. To punctuate the styling and functionality, RAM also includes tow hooks and a tri-fold tonneau cover on this model.

Sierra HD

The Sierra HD may not tow as many high expectations and attention as the aforementioned work trucks, but its owners have no reason to give the slightest care. The Sierra HD Denali certainly benefits from being Silverado’s cousin—also featuring some of the top trailering upgrades of 2021 and 36,000 pounds of max towing capacity.

Exciting Upgrades

New to the model this year is the Trailer Length Indicator and Jack-Knife Alert system. When the Turn Length Indicator is enabled and the turn signal is activated, the center console screen displays a red overlay twice the length of the compatible trailer. It helpfully shows when other vehicles might obstruct a lane-change.

And just like Silverado, the GMC includes the Rear Trailer View that now features useful guidelines, as well as the bolstered Rear Side and Cargo Bed views. Keep in mind, select trailering features require a conventional-hitched box or camping trailer, and additional setup may be required.

Other additions to Sierra HD include making the MultiPro Tailgate standard on SLE and three new colors.

BetterBuilt Saddle Toolboxes — Marrying style and function, BetterBuilt Saddle Truck Tool Boxes offer great protection for tools and equipment while keeping the truck bed floor clear. The saddle truck tool box comes with easy-to-use paddle handles with locking capabilities on the driver side, the most common area to lock/unlock a truck box. The low-profile design helps maximize visibility, and the wedge cut tub design allows for more room in the bed of your truck while clearing the wheel wells. Full seal weather stripping adds further protection while the self-rising gas spring allows easy single-handed entry to the box.

Honorable Mention: Ford F-150

How in the heck did a light-duty truck make it on a list with the biggest and baddest work trucks of 2021? Pushing the very limits of what light-duty trucks are known to be capable of – that’s how.

Ford made a big splash in September by announcing its top-selling vehicle had gained even more towing muscle. When paired with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and Max Trailer Tow Package, the new F-150 is rated for more conventional towing than any light-duty full-size pickup—packing a maximum 14,000 pounds. That’s a gain of 800 pounds over the 2020 model! Maximum payload also increased to 3,325 pounds.

The 2021 F-150 flexes available options like Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and work surfaces inside the cab and on the tailgate. The platform also provides 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi hotspot and new tailgate clamp pockets as standard.