10 Trucks with Largest Payloads

2017 Ford F450 Platinum grille

There are lots of different ways to stack pickup trucks against each other: horsepower, torque, maximum towing capacity and, even fuel economy comes to mind. Maximum payload, however, is one that is often overlooked. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 10 trucks with the largest payload. After all, what’s more important to a truck owner than how much stuff you can put in the bed? For some, payload rating is not as high on the priority list as features like versatility and cargo space. To others, though, toughness is crucial. One thing's for sure: these trucks can really haul, and many of them record some truly monstrous payload rating figures. Read on to see them all.

Ford F-150, F-250, and F-350

When it comes to payload, Ford wears the crown among pickup trucks; seems the new aluminum body hasn't slowed them down a bit. Each model tops its segment in this category, with the top dog F-350 Super Duty registering a mind-boggling maximum payload rating of 7,630 lbs.—more than 200 lbs. over the Ram 3500, its closest competitor. Likewise, the F-250 clocks a rating of 4,200 lbs., when ordering the Regular Cab along with 4x2 rear-wheel drive. In the world of light-duty pickups, the F-150 also sets the pace at an impressive 3,270 lbs. with the available 5.0-liter V8 engine, 4x2 setup, and 141.1-inch wheelbase.

Photo by Ford

Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500

Ram brings an impressive slate of capable pickups to the table, offering three sizes of truck that each pack some of the largest payload ratings on the market. The largest of them, the Ram 3500, is capable of up to 7,390 lbs. when armed with the venerable 6.4-liter HEMI V8. One size down is the Ram 2500 and its payload rating of 3,990 lbs. with the same HEMI V8 and a long box. The most common model is the light-duty Ram 1500, but it’s no featherweight in its own right, clocking 1,890 lbs. of payload rating with the versatile 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, quad cab and 6’4” box.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD

The legendary Chevrolet Silverado offers a well-rounded pickup truck package, and a high payload rating is part of the deal. In the super duty Silverado 3500HD, that means figures up to 6,111 lbs. Meanwhile, the heavy-duty Silverado 2500HD boasts a muscular 3,534 lbs. of capability in the bed. When you equip the Silverado 1500 with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine, along with its 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft of torque, it adds up to a stocky 2,260-lb. payload rating that actually bests the Ram 1500 by almost 400 lbs. Beginning this year, the V8 is available with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its numbers may not top the field, but the Silverado brings balance to the table that deserves attention.

Photo by General Motors

GMC Sierra 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD

Being that they share so many components in common, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have similar payload ratings. The light-duty Sierra 1500 uses the same 5.3-liter V8 and max trailering package for a 2,250-lb. figure (though in double cab configuration, not standard). The Sierra 2500HD boasts the same rating of 3,534 lbs. as the Silverado 2500HD. GMC gives way to its more blue-collar brother in the super duty segment, though, as the Sierra 3500HD is more than a half-ton down in payload rating with a number of 6,111 lbs. Still, for a luxurious and technology-laden large pickup, these are very impressive figures.

Nissan Titan XD

Somewhere between the arenas of light duty and heavy duty lies the Nissan Titan XD, which bridges the gap between trucks like the Ram 1500 and 2500. Thanks to its 5.6-liter V8 engine with 390 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft of torque, the gas-powered Titan XD earns a place on the list of pickups with the largest payload rating with a figure of 2,500 lbs. There is also a 5.0-liter Cummins turbodiesel V8 engine, with 310 horsepower and 555 lb.-ft of torque, which is capable of 1,674 lbs of payload rating. Nissan aimed the Titan XD to fill a gap in power and pricing, and it certainly stands out from the crowd.

Toyota Tundra

Next up is the Toyota Tundra, which stocks up well against its light duty peers with a payload rating of 2,080 lbs. in the SR trim. You also need the 5.7-liter V8 engine, short bed, and 4x2 drive configuration to achieve optimal capability. In a more modern world of pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra could use some improvements. But the brand doesn’t need earth-shattering sales figures from this model, and the 2017 Tundra offers other strengths like great off-road capability and standard tow hitch receiver. Being able to load a literal ton into the bed doesn’t hurt, either, and rightfully earns the Tundra a place on the list of trucks with the largest payload.

Chevrolet Colorado

Heading the renewed class of compact pickup trucks is the Chevrolet Colorado, which offers a maximum payload rating of 1,580 lbs. when configured with 2WD, the extended cab, 6’2” box, and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with automatic transmission. If you opt for the 3.6-liter V6, crew cab and 5’2” box, you get the same rating with either 2WD or 4WD. Better still, its half-brother, the GMC Canyon, offers an increased 1,620 lbs. of payload rating with those same characteristics, and interior plushness as well. Known for being versatile trucks that can take a beating and keep on ticking, the Colorado and Canyon prove their mettle when it comes to strength of the bed.

Photo by Chevrolet

Toyota Tacoma

Heralded for its off-road performance and outstanding reliability, the Toyota Tacoma more than holds its own when it comes to payload capacity, as well. Equipped with the 4-cylinder engine, 4x2 drivetrain and Access Cab in the SR trim, the Tacoma sports a payload rating of 1,620 lbs., which equals the GMC Canyon and is slightly better than the rest of the compact pickup truck segment. Though the 2.7-liter boasts only 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft of torque, the Tacoma 4-cylinder makes great use of it, and returns 23 MPG on the highway, too. Take advantage of one of the largest payloads in the business and head off to conquer with confidence.

Nissan Titan

Back and ready to re-enter the U.S. market, the 2017 Nissan Titan debuts with a new look, new size, and a highly competitive payload rating of 1,610 lbs. to mark its return. For drivers who use the bed as a matter of course, Nissan has a wide range of accessories like a 120V outlet, illuminating LED lighting, sliding aluminum-alloy cleats and plenty more ways to make use of that hefty payload. The new Titan and its 390-horsepower V8 engine will serve as big brother to the aging Frontier, which is certainly capable in its own right, but doesn’t register on our list of trucks with largest payload due to its 953-lb. rating.

Honda Ridgeline

Bringing up the rear on our list of trucks with largest payload is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline, completely redesigned for a new generation that brings surprising capability to the compact pickup market. Though it’s the lowest on this list, the Ridgeline trails by the slimmest of margins with a payload rating of 1,584 lbs.—and this, with innovative standard features like a side-swinging gate and in-bed trunk that add layers to its versatility. The Ridgeline is also the only truck here with one engine, one cab configuration and one bed length, meaning you have great odds of getting the highest payload rating the Ridgeline has to offer. No competitors make the choice so simple.

Photo by Honda