For certain types of work, a standard pickup truck simply won’t suffice. If you frequently haul thousands of pounds of materials in your truck bed, midsize pickups are out of the question.
Similarly, if your towing needs regularly exceed 10,000 pounds, then traditional full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevy Silverado likely won’t meet your demands.
What you need instead is a three-quarter-ton pickup one that proudly carries the “heavy-duty” (or “HD”) designation.
HD trucks enhance the capabilities of full-size pickups, offering significantly greater towing and hauling strength. These trucks are commonly found at construction sites, ranches, and other environments where payload and towing requirements surpass what a standard truck can handle.
For those seeking a balance between the versatility of a smaller truck and the power of a heavy-duty model, this list focuses on single-rear-wheel HD trucks (we rank dually pickups separately).
While the selection of HD trucks isn’t vast, we’ve evaluated them all to compile a list of the top options available in 2023. If you’re searching for a non-dually, heavy-duty pickup, you’ll find the best choices right here.
5. 2023 Nissan Titan XD
The Nissan Titan XD is designed to bridge the gap between full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 and traditional three-quarter-ton trucks such as the Ford Super Duty.
However, instead of carving out a unique niche in the competitive heavy-duty market, it struggles to match the performance of its HD rivals. The Titan XD is offered exclusively in a crew cab configuration with a 6.5-foot bed.
For 2023, Nissan introduced a new Midnight Edition package for SV models, along with wireless Apple CarPlay integration for the Platinum Reserve trim.
Pros
- Robust V-8 engine
- Smooth and responsive nine-speed transmission
- Stable and comfortable ride, particularly when towing
Cons
- Underwhelming towing and payload capacities
- Limited to a single configuration
- Higher price for 2023
Specifications
- Price Range: $47,990 – $69,282
- Available Engine: 5.6-liter V-8 (400 hp, 413 lb-ft)
- Max Conventional Towing Capacity: 10,898 lbs
- Max Gooseneck Towing Capacity: 11,033 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: 2,406 lbs
4. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
If you’re a Chevrolet enthusiast and require a pickup truck capable of handling serious towing and hauling tasks, a base-model Silverado likely won’t cut it.
That’s precisely why Chevrolet offers the Silverado 2500HD a heavy-duty workhorse built to take on nearly any challenge. Introduced as part of the Silverado’s current generation in 2020, the 2500HD has received a significant refresh for 2024.
This latest update brings a redesigned exterior, a vastly improved interior, and cutting-edge technology, addressing nearly all of the criticisms that plagued the previous model.
Additionally, the Silverado 2500HD’s Duramax diesel engine has been upgraded, now delivering 470 horsepower and an impressive 975 lb-ft of torque.
The 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 also benefits from a notable enhancement, as it now comes standard with a 10-speed Allison transmission. Chevrolet has further expanded the lineup by introducing new off-road-focused trims: the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison.
Pros
- Outstanding Duramax diesel powertrain
- Exceptional towing and payload capabilities
- Dramatically improved interior design
Cons
- Base work truck model doesn’t receive the same upgrades
- Gasoline V-8 remains underwhelming
- Still lacks Super Cruise technology
Specifications
- Price Range: $43,400 – $71,200
- Available Engines: 6.6-liter gas V-8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft), 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V-8 (470 hp, 975 lb-ft)
- Max Conventional Towing Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Max Gooseneck Towing Capacity: 22,430 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: 3,689 lbs
3. 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD
Much like Chevrolet with its Silverado 2500HD, GMC introduced the all-new Sierra 2500HD for the 2020 model year.
Over the years, the heavy-duty truck has received a series of minor updates, including the addition of advanced trailering technology.
However, for 2024, the Sierra 2500HD has undergone a significant refresh, bringing major improvements across the board.
As with its Silverado 2500HD counterpart, the updated Sierra 2500HD now features a redesigned exterior, a significantly more refined interior, and an upgraded Duramax diesel engine.
Opting for the diesel powertrain delivers 470 horsepower and an immense 975 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Sierra’s 6.6-liter gasoline engine remains largely unchanged, though it now comes equipped with a 10-speed Allison transmission as standard for improved performance.
GMC has also expanded its lineup for 2024 by introducing the rugged AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition trims, catering to off-road enthusiasts.
Pros
- Powerful Duramax diesel engine
- Advanced trailer-assist technology
- Convenient MultiPro tailgate option
Cons
- Bold exterior styling may not appeal to everyone
- Gasoline powertrain feels outdated
- High-end trims push pricing close to six figures
Specifications
- Base Price Range: $44,400 – $92,200
- Available Engines: 6.6-liter gas V-8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft), 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V-8 (470 hp, 975 lb-ft)
- Max Conventional Towing Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Max Gooseneck Towing Capacity: 22,430 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: 3,689 lbs
2. 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Some jobs demand more capability than even the highly regarded and versatile F-150 can provide. For those tasks, Ford offers the F-250 Super Duty, a step up in the Blue Oval’s truck lineup.
The fourth-generation F-250 debuted in 2017 and received a refresh in 2020, which introduced a powerful 7.3-liter V-8 engine, an upgraded Power Stroke diesel V-8, and the off-road-focused Tremor package.
For the 2023 model year, the F-250 Super Duty brings several key updates, including a refreshed exterior, enhanced towing technology, a new standard 6.8-liter gasoline V-8, and a major power boost for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel.
While the standard-output Power Stroke continues to deliver 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, Ford has introduced a new high-output version that pushes the limits with 500 horsepower and an unmatched 1,200 lb-ft of torque the highest in its segment.
Pros
- Class-leading 1,200 lb-ft of diesel torque
- Exceptional towing capabilities
- Wide range of engine choices
Cons
- Interior design remains largely unchanged
- Overwhelming number of configurations
- Top-tier trims exceed six-figure pricing
Specifications
- Base Price Range: $43,470 – $96,295
- Available Engines:
- 6.7-liter diesel V-8 (475 hp, 1,050 lb-ft)
- High-output 6.7-liter diesel V-8 (500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft)
- 6.8-liter gas V-8 (400 hp, 445 lb-ft)
- 7.3-liter gas V-8 (430 hp, 475 lb-ft)
- Max Conventional Towing Capacity: 22,000 lbs
- Max Gooseneck Towing Capacity: 22,700 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: 3,793 lbs
1. 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
Ram’s entry into the heavy-duty pickup segment, the 2500 Heavy Duty, stands out as the best in its class. It earns the top spot in our HD truck rankings, thanks to its strong engine options, the off-road-focused Power Wagon variant, and an industry-leading interior.
While the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty remains mostly unchanged from previous model years, it does introduce the new off-road-oriented Heavy Duty Rebel trim.
Despite its many strengths, the Ram 2500 isn’t without flaws. The Cummins diesel engine option is paired with a six-speed transmission that feels outdated compared to competitors, and its horsepower and torque figures are the lowest in the segment.
Additionally, Ram does not offer a high-output version of the Cummins diesel. However, considering its overall design, capability, and comfort, the 2023 Ram 2500 remains the HD truck to beat in our rankings.
Pros
- Newly updated power telescoping tow mirrors
- Off-road-ready Power Wagon and Rebel trims
- Best-in-class interior with a well-thought-out design
Cons
- Six-speed transmission on Cummins models feels outdated
- No high-output Cummins diesel option available
- Towing capacity lags behind some competitors
Specifications
- Base Price Range: $44,675 – $77,860
- Available Engines:
- 6.4-liter gas V-8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft)
- 6.7-liter diesel I-6 (370 hp, 850 lb-ft)
- Max Conventional Towing Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Max Gooseneck Towing Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: 4,010 lbs