The Big Three: Our Top Picks for the Best Used Heavy-Duty Trucks

There are many advantages to investing in a heavy-duty truck, especially if you need one that works with you to get any job done. A quick search for “used trucks for sale near me” proves the market is saturated with options from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, and Ram. But which models offer the best overall value? Which heavy-duty truck offers class-leading capabilities and features? We’re here to answer those questions by highlighting three best-selling heavy-duty trucks you won’t want to miss on the used lot. 

#1 – Chevy Silverado HD: Shop the Silverado 2500 HD and Silverado 3500 HD 

Chevrolet introduced drivers to a new type of truck in the late 1990s when the American automotive pioneer debuted the Silverado with its impeccable blend of capability, functional features, and many amenities. The Silverado HD lineup enjoys the same treatment, with Chevrolet consistently updating the fleet to keep it relevant and reflect the growing demands for more capable and better-equipped workhorses. Because of this, models like the 2020 Silverado 2500 HD and 2020 Silverado 3500 HD are a must to consider. 

Chevrolet revamped the Silverado HD in 2020, introducing the heavy-duty truck as the most capable and tech-savvy in the truck’s history. With a starting price of $39,895 in 2020, the 2020 Silverado HD’s price tag is even more affordable on the used lot. But what can you expect from the truck? 

Redesigned from the ground up, the 2020 Silverado HD and subsequent models are wider, taller, and longer than previous models. This growth spurt gives the Silverado 2500 HD a more aggressive stance, with a multi-engine lineup that reflects its penchant for performance and exceptional work ethic. Depending on the trim and packaging, the Silverado HD is powered by a 6.6L V8 or a legendary Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel. New for 2020, the 6.6L V8 produces 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, with the Duramax making 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax pushes the Silverado HD to its highest towing capability of 35,500 pounds. 

Beyond its pure strength, the Silverado HD is one of the most functional trucks in its class because of its integrated features and technologies. Trailering is easier thanks to features like the Advanced Trailering System and a 15-view camera system that includes a Bed View, Transparent Trailer View, and HD Surround Vision. The Silverado HD’s integrated BedSteps and CornerSteps improve accessibility into the bed, with newer models like the 2022 Silverado HD adding to this accessibility with Chevrolet’s revolutionary Multi-Flex tailgate. 

#2 – Ford Super Duty: Shop the F-250 and F-350 

For over a century, Chevrolet and Ford have shaped the American landscape, with models like the Silverado and F-Series going head-to-head to outshine the other. Drivers benefit from the rivalry because Ford and Chevrolet consistently introduce more features, advanced technologies, and next-level capabilities. We see this approach with the Ford Super Duty, which Ford updated significantly in 2020 just as Chevrolet redesigned the Silverado HD. 

The fifth-generation F-Series debuted in 2023, making fourth-generation Super Duty trucks an excellent find on the used lot. For 2020, Ford revamped the Super Duty powertrain lineup and added more technologies to embody the “Built Ford Tough” promise. The 2020 F-Series Super Duty introduced an all-new 7.3L V8 engine that makes a best-in-class 430 hp and best-in-class 475 lb-ft of torque. The beefier 7.3L outshines the standard 6.2L V8 and sets the stage for the class-leading 6.2L Power Stroke Diesel V8, which produces best-in-class 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. 

The Super Duty’s more potent engine lineup complements the addition of new trailering technologies that ensure the F-250 and F-350 work with you to make your job easier in the driver’s seat. The most notable of these features is Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes navigating a trailer in reverse as easy as turning a knob on the dashboard while watching the camera on the center display. The Trailer Reverse Guidance feature shows the trailer’s position and offers suggestions to help you expertly maneuver the trailer into place the first time. 

Ford also caters to adventurers with the updated 2020 F-Series Super Duty fleet. Ford introduced the Super Duty Tremor Off-Road Package for the first time in 2020. This package readies the F-250 and F-350 for life beyond the pavement by adding an updated suspension, front-end lift, custom dampers, and skid plates. The combination gives the Super Duty Tremor a lead over rivals, boasting best-in-class water fording capability of 33 in and a 10.4-inch ground clearance. 

#3 – Ram Heavy Duty: Shop the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 

Ram’s reputation for luxury is unprecedented in the truck segment, with the automaker carving its niche for building capable trucks that prioritize comfort with upscale cabins and many amenities and technologies. The Ram Heavy Duty models, like the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, take that same approach, with Ram updating the heavy-duty fleet in 2019 and adding even more improvements in subsequent years. 

In 2009, the Ram Heavy Duty made history as the first truck to offer 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Ram accomplished this feat with its 6.7L Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel on the Ram 3500. The class-leading output pushes the Ram 3500 to a towing capacity north of 35,000 pounds. This exceptional strength isn’t limited to the Cummins, with the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 also available with a 6.4L HEMI V8 under the hood. The HEMI produces 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque on 2020 models. 

Apart from their potent heartbeats, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 are popular on the used lot because of their value-oriented packaging that blends luxury, technology, and premium details. For example, Ram equips the trucks with segment-exclusive rear suspensions that heighten their handling, finetune their responsiveness, and improve ride quality. While the suspension works behind the scenes, the cabin offers premium comforts, from plush seating to an expansive center touchscreen with seamless smartphone integration, navigational features, and Ram’s high-definition rearview camera. 

The Best Value for Your Money 

Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram are American favorites, renowned for building long-lasting models that exceed expectations. Trucks like the Silverado HD, Ford Super Duty, and Ram HD embody the automakers’ legacies and showcase their keen awareness of what drivers want, need, and expect from their heavy-duty trucks. So, how do you know which model is right for you? 

Heavy-duty trucks are bigger and more capable, which often means they’re priced higher on the new lot than their full-size siblings. Investing in a used model guarantees you save money without compromising your standards or ignoring those must-have items. Because of this, shopping for a used heavy-duty model like the Silverado HD, Ford Super Duty, or Ram HD starts by considering what you expect from the truck in terms of towing capability, payload capacity, and cabin comfort. Do you need the brute strength of a Ram 3500 to tow a fifth wheel, or will the Silverado 2500 competently tow your small camper or boat to the lake on the weekends? 

After you determine the level of capability you need in a truck, consider your comfort and the experience you want behind the wheel. Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram equip their heavy-duty trucks with advanced technologies and premium features that add outstanding value and make your job easier in the driver’s seat. Because of this, consider the various trailering technologies, connectivity features, and cabin amenities that create the perfect conditions for wherever the road takes you. Then, test drive your top picks to experience how they perform firsthand.