Chevy Silverado vs Ford’s Super Duty

Chevy’s all-new 2015 Silverado 2500HD is showing off higher standard towing ratings than the 2014 Silverado. With the available Duramax diesel engine, the 2500HD’s maximum payload is 4,306 lbs. The maximum conventional towing capacity is 14,500 lbs, with a fifth-wheel towing capacity of 17,900 lbs.

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Silverado HDs also offer a diesel exhaust brake system that works with the Allison transmission’s Tow/Haul mold and Auto Grade braking feature to optimize how your truck brakes when towing or driving downhill.

The Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 engine is an option on the 2500HD, and it produces 397 horsepower at 765 lb-ft of torque. A standard 36-gallon fuel tank makes the most of the Duramax’s efficiency and enables it to go further than ever without having to stop at a gas tank to refuel.

The 2015 Ford Super Duty counters with what they claim is a best-in-class maximum conventional towing capacity of 19,000 lbs. A 37.5-gallon fuel tank and a fifth-wheel towing capacity of 31,200 lbs are a part of the Super Duty’s specifications.

Here’s a comparison of their drivetrains:

CHEVROLET

•   Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 engine

•   Cast-iron block with aluminum heads

•   4.00 bore x 3.62 inch stroke

•   403 cubic inches of displacement/6,599 cc

•   Direct injection diesel with high-pressure common rail

•   16.0:1 compression

•   397 horsepower @ 3,000 RPM

•   765 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 RPM

•   Allison 1000 six-speed automatic

•   Diesel or B20

FORD

•   6.7-liter 4V V8 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel

•   Compacted graphite iron block with aluminum cylinder heads

•   3.90 bore x 4.25 inch stroke

•   406 cubic inches of displacement/6,651 cc

•   High-pressure common rail fuel injection

•   16.2:1 compression

•   440 horsepower @ 2,800 RPM

•   800 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 RPM

•   TorqShift HD automatic with SelectShift

•   Ultra-low sulfur diesel or B20 w/20% or less biodiesel

When looking at these two trucks side by side, the 2015 Ford Super Duty has some unmatched abilities. The Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine provides more power than that of the 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD’s, which can inevitably go a long way for drivers who need to rely on their truck for heavy jobs. But if you do like the Silverado, there some things you can do to boost its potential.

The addition of a few simple bolt-on items can make a big difference in the performance of your diesel truck. A cold air intake lowers the temperature of the air going into your truck to increase the power of your engine. Cold air is much denser then warm, humid air, and it holds more oxygen. The more oxygen going in, the more powerful the combustion coming out. Thus you get more horsepower with the same or better fuel economy.

Another performance enhancement is a diesel exhaust system. These free-flowing, mandrel bent systems provide years of trouble-free performance, and their smooth, deep tone is suitable for daily driving all the way up to diesel drag racing. With the addition of an exhaust system, you can expect significant gains in horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and lower exhaust gas temperature.

Finally, we recommend the addition of a diesel truck tuner. These tuners can typically tune your diesel for increased power and add up to 160 horsepower and over 200 lb-ft of torque while also adding 2 to 4 mpg to your fuel economy.

If you’re interested in more auto comparisons, download our free ebook, Impreza vs. WRX: Subaru Death Match.