Outside of the commercial sector, the 1-ton truck is popular more than just its workhorse capability and versatility. In USA One-ton trucks are a staple on roads, with homegrown brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram dominating the segment. Thanks to high-torque engines and sturdy designs, the one-ton pickup can tow and haul thousands of pounds and still has room for the family in the cabin like SUVs car. Here is our take on the best and most reliable 1-ton pickup trucks of 2025.
RAM 3500: The best One-Ton Trucks Of 2025
Starting this list of one-ton trucks is the Ram 3500. It’s available in a variety of trims that range from bare-bones basics for job sites and the like, all the way to the Limited trim that has more luxurious materials and is full of convenience features. The base model starts at $46,570.
Ram is keeping the Hemi V8 alive in its HD pickup trucks, for now. Engine options include a 6.4-liter gasoline-powered V8 that makes 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, or a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel inline-six-cylinder that makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft. Equipped with the diesel and other select features, this mighty Ram can tow up to 36,610 lbs.
GMC Sierra 3500HD: The best One-Ton Trucks Of 2025
The next one-ton truck on our list is the GMC Sierra 3500HD. This 1-ton pickup truck starts at around the same price as some others, but quickly rises with options. The most basic version of the Sierra 3500HD starts at $47,500 excluding the destination charge, but it doesn’t take much to option one of these into a six-figure truck with the right trim.
Engine options are the same as the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. You can choose either a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine that makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque that has a maximum towing capacity or 19,080 pounds, or a 6.6L turbo-diesel V8 that makes 470 hp and 975 lb-ft for a maximum tow rating of 36,000 pounds when using a gooseneck hitch.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD: The best One-Ton Trucks Of 2025
Another 1-ton truck from General Motors is the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. Whether it’s the most reliable 1-ton truck on the market is always up for debate among truck drivers, but we can tell you that the Silverado 3500HD is not yet rated by JD Power. This is a serious truck built for heavy-duty work, just like its name would suggest. It starts at $46,500, which means it’s still one of the most powerful trucks you can buy for less than the average price of a new car.
Under the hood is your choice of either a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine that makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque or a 6.6L turbo-diesel V8 that makes 470 hp and 975 lb-ft. Both options have impressive towing capacity, but the diesel version far outweighs the gas engine; the gas-powered V8 can tow up to 19,080 pounds while the diesel can pull as much as 36,000 pounds.
Characteristics Of 1-Ton Pickup Trucks
The classification for pickups is a little dated these days. Originally, the phrase ‘one-ton’ referred to maximum payload capacities. As such, these vehicles traditionally carried upwards of 2,000 lbs. However, the modern 1-ton truck’s payload capacity is actually a lot higher. It is not just invisible numbers that set these juggernauts apart, though. Here are some commonalities shared among 1-ton trucks:
Power – Naturally, the engine under the hood needs to be potent enough to move both the heavy machine and its load. For 1-ton pickup trucks, horsepower figures aren’t necessarily the priority, so you’ll generally find a range of high-torque engines to choose from; the low-down grunt is needed for optimal towing and hauling. Many top automakers these days offer a diesel engine with this in mind.
Strength – Carrying or pulling heavy loads requires a powerful structure to support this kind of hard work. Hardcore suspension setups and heavy-duty transmissions are often standard, and the truly big brutes often require an extra set of wheels in the back – 1-ton dually trucks, such as the Ford F-450 Super Duty and Ram 3500HD, are those that can be configured with a dual-rear-wheel setup.
Size – The dimensions of 1-ton trucks support their heavyweight aspirations. These trucks are large, standing high and wide, with varying bed sizes and even short and long wheelbases. It stands to reason that 1-ton truck curb weights are also on the hefty side.
Reliability and durability – Purposed for hard work, these trucks have to be able to go for hundreds of thousands of miles. With extensive warranties and engines built to last, you can rest assured your hauler is reliable.
Price – While entry-level models may be reasonably priced, many of the range-topping trucks are flush with luxuries and filled with tech – so they don’t come cheap. You’re likely to spend quite a bit for so much muscle.
What To Consider Before Buying A One-Ton Pickup Truck
Old-school one-tonners used to be purely functional, but in comparison, modern 1-ton trucks are not just formidable but luxurious too. But all this brawn comes at a cost. Some advantages and disadvantages include:
Pros
-High-torque powertrains
-Unrivaled payload and towing capacities
-Highly dependable
-Rugged and can even go off-road
-Spacious cabins
-Various bed lengths and cab configurations are available
-Luxurious appointments on top-end models
Cons
-Large and clumsy in tight spots
-Terrible fuel economy
-Ride comfort is not a priority, especially in lower-end trims
-High price tags, especially in high-end models
Are 1-ton trucks safe?
It’s rare for heavy-duty trucks to have official safety reviews from the NHTSA or IIHS, but while these are generally not crash-tested, most new 1-ton trucks come fitted with many safety features and advanced driver assists, especially from mid-tier models upwards. Blind spot monitoring, trailer sway assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and the like are often included.
Which 1-ton pickup can tow the most?
In the heavy-duty pickup truck segment, the top contenders vying for the title of highest-tow rating include the Ford F-450 Super Duty, the Ram 3500, and GMC’s Sierra 3500HD, all of which can haul over 36,000 lbs when equipped properly. The F-450 leads the way with a maximum towing rating of 40,000 lbs.
Should I buy a used one-ton pickup truck?
Buying a used vehicle is a great way to save some money, and, provided you can find a well-looked-after model that has had all its scheduled service and maintenance items adhered to, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. Because these are workhorses, expect them to have been worked hard – make sure all recall work has been completed, if any is required, and only consider trucks with a clean bill of health.
