GMC Sierra 3500 vs RAM 3500

If you need a truck with some serious power and performance, both the GMC Sierra 3500 and the RAM 3500 are great choices. But unless you’re getting a fleet of trucks, chances are you’re only going to get one. With that in mind, which one is right for you?

It all depends on what you’re looking for, and to help you make an informed decision and get the right truck for you, we’ve highlighted some of the key features of each truck for you here.

The GMC Sierra 3500

As a 1-ton pickup truck, nobody would look at a GMC Sierra 3500 and think it can’t get the job done. It first hit the market in 2008, and since then, it’s been one of the powerhouses in the truck world. But what exactly can you expect when you get behind the wheel of a GMC Sierra 3500?

It all depends on the model year you go with, but no matter what, you’re getting a great truck with a ton of power. We’ll break down everything else you need to know here.

Engine Options and Performance Specs

While the GMC Sierra underwent a major refresh when they released a second generation in 2014, they kept the same engines under the hood. The base gasoline engine is a 6.0L engine that pushes between 326 and 360 horsepower depending on the model year you go with. No matter what model year you go with, this engine cranks out 380 ft-lb of torque.

Meanwhile, if you want a diesel engine, the Sierra 3500 offers a 6.6L diesel engine that pushes between 365 and 403 horsepower and provides between 660 and 765 ft-lb of torque, depending on the model year.

Towing and Payload Capacity

If you’re going with a 3500 series truck, you care about the towing and payload numbers, and the GMC Sierra 3500 certainly doesn’t disappoint regardless of the model year you go with.

The numbers increase through the years, with the maximum towing capacity sitting between 9,100 and 10,100 pounds depending on the configuration for the 2008 model year, while every Sierra 3500 for the 2023 model year can tow up to 14,500 pounds.

For payload capacities, it’s a bit more complicated. While the minimum payload for every Sierra 3500 goes up, the maximum payload actually drops some for newer models. In 2008 the Sierra 3500 had a maximum payload between 3,500 and 5,307 pounds, for the 2013 model year, those numbers range between 4,078 and 6,349 pounds, while the 2023 Sierra 3500’s payload sits between 4,353 and 4,572 pounds.

The RAM 3500

The first RAM 3500 hit the market in 2013, and ever since then, it’s been one of the most popular trucks on the market today. But what does a RAM 3500 offer, and how does it differ from the Sierra 3500? We’ll break down some of the key features of this impressive truck for you here.

Engine Options and Performance Specs

The first RAM 3500 hit the market five years after the first Sierra 3500, but it still has two more engine options for you to pick from, including three different engine options within the same model year.

The base model engine for every RAM 3500 from 2013 to today is a 5.7L gasoline engine that pushes 383 horsepower and has an impressive 400 ft-lb of torque. Meanwhile, the standard diesel engine from 2013 to 2016 was a 6.7L engine that pushed 370 horsepower and an ultra-impressive 800 ft-lb of torque.

In 2016 RAM introduced two additional engine options while ditching the 6.7L diesel. There’s an upgraded 6.4L gasoline engine that provides an impressive 410 horsepower while pushing 430 ft-lb of torque, and there’s a new and improved 6.7L diesel engine that cranks out 385 horsepower and a mind-blowing 900 lb-ft of torque.

Towing and Payload Capacity

No matter what RAM 3500 you go with, you’re going to get some impressive towing and payload specifications. The towing numbers dramatically increase through the years, while the maximum payload capacities stay almost identical regardless of the model year you go with.

2013 models have a maximum towing capacity between 10,880 and 11,860 pounds depending on the configuration, while 2023 models have a maximum towing capacity somewhere between 14,140 and 15,120 pounds.

Meanwhile, the maximum payload sits between 3,993 and 4,639 pounds for the 2013 model year, while the 2023 model year has a maximum payload between 4,010 and 4,644 pounds.

Which Truck Is Right For You?

For the most part, whether you want a GMC Sierra 3500 or a RAM 3500 solely comes down to personal preference. Both are great trucks, but they both do have slightly different performance specs you should be aware of. But in many ways, which truck is superior in each category really depends on the model year you go with.

For instance, for the 2023 models, the RAM 3500 has a higher maximum towing capacity and higher maximum payload (depending on the configuration you go with. However, for the 2013 model year, it’s the GMC Sierra 3500 that gets the edge in both those categories depending on the configuration.

In the end, if you need a serious truck that can tow and haul a ton, both the GMC Sierra 3500 and the RAM 3500 are great choices.

Final Thoughts

Do you want either a RAM 3500 or a GMC Sierra 3500, or do you still have questions about either truck? If so, the team at Tim’s Truck would love to help you out. They’ll happily answer any questions you might have about either truck and walk you through everything you need to do to get behind the wheel of your very own.

Not only that, but they’ll help you track down the exact truck you’re looking for, making Tim’s Truck the ultimate truck-buying experience.

Pre-Owned GMC Sierra 3500