If you’re in the market for a full-sized pickup, two options at the top of your list will be the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500. There’s no denying that these are two great trucks, as they’ve got big engines and impressive towing capacities. In the cabin, you can create a perfect setup for a work truck or a luxurious environment to cruise with your family. Our team at Huffines Chevrolet Plano in Texas has taken a closer look at these pickups to help you decide which would best suit your needs.
Engine and Performance
Like most pickups on the market, the Silverado and Ram offer several engine options to cater to different driving needs. The 2024 Silverado’s base engine is a four-cylinder unit that puts out 310 horsepower and is perfect for day-to-day driving. Two stronger options are the 5.3-liter V-8, which churns out 355 horsepower, and the turbodiesel with impressive torque and an output of 305 horsepower. At the top of the lineup is a standout 6.2-liter V-8 engine that generates 420 horsepower. This engine is ideal if you need the Silverado’s maximum towing capacity.
The Ram’s base engine is a V-6 capable of generating 305 horsepower. If this isn’t enough for you to get the job done, you can step up to either a 5.7-liter V-8 that produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque or a supercharged V-8 with an incredible 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Keep in mind, however, that Ram only offers this brute of an engine in the range-topping TRX trim, which has a starting MSRP of close to $100,000. The other two engines provide sufficient power for many towing and off-roading challenges.
Towing and Hauling
The Silverado 1500 has a slight edge over the Ram when it comes to towing abilities. The Chevy truck can manage a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, which you can get with the turbodiesel engine. The large V-8 also boasts a towing capacity of more than 13,000 pounds. The Ram 1500 tops out at a more than respectable 12,700 pounds. To achieve this limit, you need to opt for the smaller of the two cab options, which we’ll discuss below.
Both trucks offer an array of towing features to make your job easier with a trailer at the rear. These features include trailer brakes, special hitches, and cameras to improve your view of your trailer. You can get many of these features by adding a towing package upgrade to your chosen trim in the Silverado or Ram.
If you’re more concerned about the payload capacity in your cargo bed, you’ll be pleased to know that the Ram can haul a payload of 2,320 pounds, while the Silverado 1500 manages an almost identical 2,260 pounds. Both trucks achieve their maximum payload capacities with their base engines.
Cargo Bed and Cab Options
You can choose from two cargo beds in the 2024 Ram: one measuring 5 feet 7 inches in length and another that’s 6 feet 4 inches long. Your preference will come down to what you typically use your truck for. The shorter bed is likely adequate if you’re a recreational cargo hauler, but the extra space may come in handy on the job site.
In the 2024 Silverado, there are three cargo beds to choose from. The first measures 8 feet, making it ideal if you need to carry extra long items. The two shorter beds come in at 6 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches, respectively. Keep in mind that not all bed and cab combinations are available, so you’ll need to investigate your options and decide whether you prioritize cargo space or passenger comfort.
You can choose from three cab options in the Silverado 1500 and two in the Ram 1500. The Ram’s options are called the Extended and Crew cabs. Both have two rows of seats, but the Crew cab offers much more legroom in the second row. Your best approach is to opt for the Crew cab if you regularly have adult passengers riding in the second row. This cab drops your towing and payload capacities a touch, but you’ll still manage to pull over 11,000 pounds with this setup in the Ram.
The Silverado 1500’s three cab options are Regular, Double, and Crew. The Regular cab is ideal for a work truck since it has only one row of seats. It’s the only cab that’s compatible with the longest cargo bed, and it also unlocks the Silverado’s top payload capacity. The Double cab is comparable with the Ram’s Extended cab, while the Crew cab is a great choice if you’ll mainly use your Silverado for adventures with your family or friends.
Infotainment and Safety Features
Both trucks go head-to-head with an extensive range of entertainment and safety features to help make the time you spend in the cab more enjoyable. Large touch screens, high-powered stereos, and plenty of connectivity options are available throughout the trim lineups. However, if you’re just looking for a stripped-down work truck with the basics inside, you can have that too. Popular safety features in the Ram and Chevy include a surround-view parking camera to help with maneuverability, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Test Drive The Chevy 1500 at Huffines Chevrolet Plano
It’s tough to pick a winner between these two pickups, but we think the Silverado 1500 has the edge. It has a higher towing capacity and more cab and cargo bed configuration options than the Ram. If you’re interested in test-driving a Silverado 1500, our team of Chevy experts can help arrange that. We’re also on hand to advise you on your auto financing options so you can complete your hassle-free purchase. Feel free to browse our online inventory to find the Silverado you’d like, or swing by our Plano dealership to check out your options.