The backbone of many industries in the United States is the pickup truck. From farmers and contractors to utility workers, the pickup truck has been their livelihood for decades. Visit any farm or ranch in this great nation, and you are sure to see at least a few trucks in use; bigger ranches and farms will even employ a fleet of pickup trucks. You can’t expect a sedan to do the job of a truck, no matter how well-equipped it is. Now, some jobs require the use of a truck, and there are jobs that require the use of a heavy-duty truck. You can’t expect a small or medium-size truck to labor as well as a heavy-duty truck. Heavy-duty trucks are ideal for those who need increased towing capacities, greater payloads, and all-around more power. Say you are in the market for a work truck, and you have narrowed it down to the 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD vs 2021 Ram 2500, and you need some more information on both to decide which is right for you. Let’s take a look at how these two heavy-duty beasts compare.
What Defines a Work Truck?
A work truck can be many things and must accomplish a lot of things as well. One does not simply walk into any dealership and buy a work truck based on what your friends say and what the salesman says. We get it, truck people are a special kind of breed, and they will stick with their brand no matter what. While Ram might manufacture exceptional pickup trucks, it does not mean their work trucks will work for you. Bias aside, you need to choose the truck that will deliver, regardless of your brand preference.
In the past, the definition of a work truck might include a boring black interior that is uncomfortable and completely void of style or substance. A work truck might also have been described as very basic; you had a frame, shell, a powertrain, four wheels, and not much else in terms of safety, features, and other options. A work truck from back in the day would also be equipped with only the most basic radio. But all that has changed dramatically over the years; modern work trucks come with leather seats, intuitive infotainment systems, and a host of comfort and convenience features that make it difficult for some to leave their truck at the end of the workday.
Slipping behind the wheel of a top-trim Silverado 2500, you could close your eyes and feel as though you are in the front seat of a BMW, Lexus, or another luxury ride. Just don’t let those comfortable seats, comprehensive infotainment system, and power mirrors fool you, the Silverado 2500 might boast a luxurious interior, but it is still a work truck at heart and is a beast in tough conditions.
Durability and Comfort
One good reason to choose a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD for your next work truck is durability. Now, this is more than bigger payloads and towing capacities; this is about how well your truck will stand up to the daily grind of towing, hauling, and basically getting the most from a work vehicle. The chassis of a work truck is stronger, the components that go into the brakes and suspension are heavier and beefier. These trucks are built like brick houses and easily outperform their lighter, smaller brothers. Whatever abuse you inflict on your work truck, the Silverado 2500 can take it and more.
The interior of the Silverado ranges from your basic workhorse truck in the low trim to a vehicle with all of the bells and whistles one might find in a luxury model. Even at the starting trim, you can expect a comfortable interior with the basic features to fulfill your needs. The higher trim levels boast features and options that will have you not wanting to exit your truck at the end of the workday; really, it’s that nice.
Which is Better?
The 2021 Silverado 2500 and 2021 Ram 2500 offer many of the same features and are neck to neck in many categories. For example, they both feature similar towing capacities, seat the same amount of people, and are around the same price. However, the Silverado 2500 is bigger in dimensions; it is longer, wider, stands taller, and has a wider wheelbase, which are all important considerations when shopping for a work truck. And since the Silverado 2500 is a bigger truck on the outside, the interior offers more space than the Ram 2500. With a Silverado 2500, you and your passenger will enjoy more legroom, headroom, and shoulder room.
For any worker who has to spend all day in a truck, comfort and convenience are important. You don’t want to be stuck in a truck with plastic bench seats and only an AM radio. Depending on the trim, the Silverado offers cloth, vinyl, or leather seats depending on how you plan on utilizing your truck, as well as the option of front bucket seats for greater comfort.
One clear advantage the Silverado holds over the Ran is in its more powerful diesel engine. While both of these trucks have diesel options, the 6.6L Cummins in the Ram is smaller and less powerful than the 6.7L Duramax in the Silverado. The Ram provides 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, while the Chevy has 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque.
Diesel trucks aren’t for everyone, but they are a great choice for work applications. Diesel trucks offer more torque than their gas engine cousins, which makes them the perfect choice if you require a workhorse. Diesel engines also last a lot longer than gas engines. They are made especially tough, and you can expect them to last two to three times longer than a gas engine. Diesel engines also boast better fuel economy, which is critical in a work truck that will be driven around all day long. The savings in fuel alone is worth the investment in a diesel truck.
Lastly, a modern work truck needs to stay up with technology. Everybody uses their smartphone for work purposes to some extent. While both the Silverado and the Ram 2500 offer standard Bluetooth, MP3 players, and auxiliary audio input, the base trims of the Ram come with a small 5-inch screen. In contrast, the Silverado 2500 has a standard 7-inch screen.
The Silverado is a Status Symbol
There was a time when driving a truck meant you were either working or couldn’t afford a nice sedan, but times have dramatically changed. But one day, the powers that be decided to include the features, comfort, and convenience found in sedans in their work trucks. Soon after, trucks evolved into stand-out, stylish, and classy vehicles that people were proud to own and display. Even heavy-duty work trucks became vessels of comfort and joy, and owners proudly paraded their work trucks through town. We can see why.
The Silverado 2500 HD is a work of art, offering an aggressive look and intimidating other drivers with the growl of the V8 engine. You sit tall in the Silverado, surrounded by the latest technology and comfort features. You are a king on your throne when cruising around on your truck. Even if you are working, there is a sense of pride that warms the spirit as you are towing a trailer full of sheetrock or hauling a load of rock to a worksite. Owning a 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD will give you all the capability you need to get the job done.
