The Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado are two of the most popular vehicles of any type in the United States. Can an F-150 tow more than a Silverado?
In recent decades, pickup trucks have gone from basic workhorses to luxury vehicles that provide advanced technology, driving excitement, and generous and comfortable seating. These features make them well-suited for family transportation and countless outdoor leisure pursuits. However, even as they embrace modern innovations and upscale furnishings, their strong work ethic still hasn’t diminished. The Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 are two cases in point.
These two are among the top five best-selling vehicles in America, and are products of GM and Ford’s ongoing pickup truck arms race. This long-standing rivalry has culminated in two half-ton trucks that are as capable as ever. Both contenders offer the engines, drivetrains, axle ratios, and cab configurations necessary to handle some of the most demanding towing duties. That being said, the Ford F-150 has the edge on the Chevrolet Silverado in terms of towing, with 13,500 pounds of max towing capacity versus 13,300 pounds for the Silverado.All about the Chevy Silverado
The Chevy Silverado was introduced for the 1999 model year as a replacement for the long-running Chevrolet C/K series. It’s a half-ton pickup that’s currently based on the GMT T1XX platform which also underpins the Chevy Silverado HD, Tahoe, Yukon and Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, GMC Sierra, and Sierra HD. The Chevy Silverado 1500 competes in the full-size pickup truck segment, pitting itself against not just the Ford F-150 but also the Ram 1500, Sierra 1500, Toyota Tundra, and many more. With so many competitors to vie with for market share, Chevy responded forcefully by offering a broad array of engine options, starting with a 2.7-liter turbocharged TurboMax four-cylinder that generates 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.
The turbo four pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a two- or four-wheel drive system. And if that horsepower output is not enough, Chevy offers a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 that’s good for 355 hp and 383 lb-ft. As with the four-cylinder, buyers can choose either two or four-wheel drive to match the V8, but the transmission on offer here is a 10-speed automatic.
