How do you get the most out of a three-quarter-ton pickup with heavy-duty capabilities while still getting a good deal and keeping some money in your wallet? Well, between the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD vs 2022 Ford F-250, there are actually some significant differences in pricing based on basic features. In fact, there are a few ways you can build both trucks to save some cash in the long run, assuming you want both value and functionality out of your heavy-duty pickup. However, there are more cost-saving measures available with one over the other, and we’re going to break down how you can take advantage of those cost-saving measures.
Starting Prices Don’t Tell The Whole Story
When you consider purchasing a new heavy-duty truck, it’s easy to think that the starting MSRP tells the whole story. Entry-level pricing makes it seem like one truck will give you everything you need right out of the starting gate, but that isn’t true. Build types, drivetrain, and features all make a significant difference in terms of what you gain from each respective truck. In this case, the starting MSRP looks close enough on paper, but we need to dive more into the details to fully understand what you get and what may (or may not) work for you.
- 2022 Ford F-250 – $35,200
- 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD – $35,300
The entry-level pricing for both trucks is based on their starting trims. For the F-250, that would be the F-250 XL, which comes with the 6.2-liter Flex Fuel V8 in a rear-wheel drive, regular cab format. For the Silverado 2500HD, the entry trim is the WT, configured in rear-wheel drive with a regular cab and equipped with a 6.6-liter V8. But that’s not everything when it comes to these heavy-duty trucks, especially as you want to scale up in features and amenities.
Paying for the Basics
In order to get a good lock on trailering and payload hauling, you need a configuration that works for those designated tasks. While all the heavy-duty variants can do the basics when it comes to trailering and cargo hauls, you need specific configurations to scale up to the maximum capacity both trucks allow for. This can certainly get costly, but what if you only want the basics and a few essential technologies to help you with trailering, towing, or handling a payload?
Well, at the outset, it may look like the Ford F-250 is the cheaper of the two, even with destination costs included. However, what you may not know is that some of the accessories and extra packages can put it over the line and make it more expensive than the Silverado 2500HD, especially if you need all of the basics covered from top to bottom. So we’ll get into what those basics are and how the Silverado accommodates you in the long run.
Trailering Equipment Gives The Edge To Silverado 2500HD
If we’re going by the basic equipment outfitting for a standard WT trim Silverado 2500HD, you’re going to be looking at paying what looks to be more than F-250 XL. This is also if you include the most capable engine configuration for these kinds of work trucks, which would be the turbo-diesel options for both. The diesel options typically raise the costs by roughly $10,000. In the case of the Silverado 2500HD, that would be the Duramax. So your basic build should look like this:
- 2500HD WT Trim
- Two-Wheel Drive Regular Cab, Long Bed
- Work Truck Convenience Package
- 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 Engine
- Allison 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
You can actually remove the power take-off option if you want to save some money, and you should be able to keep the total costs under $50,000, including the destination fee. With that basic setup, you can easily tow, trailer, and haul without any problems. As a basic work truck, it works, and it’s cost-effective for a brand new truck.
For the Ford F-250 XL, however, the entry price might be lower, but you will need a few extra features to accommodate what the Silverado 2500HD achieves. Your basic configuration layout should include many of the same features as the Silverado, including a turbo-diesel powertrain, but with a few key differences. Your basic build should look like this:
- Super Duty F-250 XL
- Two-Wheel Drive Regular Cab, 8-Foot Box
- 6.7-Liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo-Diesel Engine
- TorqShift 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
Now initially, this might seem like the better deal. But when you look at the fact that the F-250 doesn’t come with some trailering technology, specifically the camera tow system and the backup trailer assists, you realize you’ll have to pay extra for it. So combined with the $10,000 for the Power Stroke V8 diesel, you’ll have to add another $6,000 for the towing camera equipment and upgraded infotainment, something that comes standard with the Silverado 2500HD.
In fact, with the Silverado, you have immediate access to a rear vision HD camera system, along with the support of hitch guidance technology, so you know how to hitch a trailer, along with guided outlines on how to hitch the trailer to the truck. You can also use the hitch guidance to check the trailer using the rear camera. This comes included with the Silverado, but it’s something you have to pay extra for with the F-250, putting the total cost at nearly $54,000.
Extra Costs And Equipment For The F-250
Another issue with the Ford F-250 is that while the entry-level MSRP is $100 cheaper than the Silverado 2500HD, and it seems like the base configuration is a couple of thousand dollars cheaper, a lot of it boils down to the hidden and extra costs of equipment to make the F-250 on par with the Silverado. For instance, did you know that if you go with the 6.7-liter turbo diesel in the F-250, it doesn’t come with an engine block heater? That’s right. You have to pay an extra $100 for the engine block heater, which comes standard with the Work Truck Convenience Package for the Silverado 2500HD once you opt to have the Duramax equipped.
Another cost you may not have considered is that the F-250 requires a prep package if you want to make use of the 5th-wheel/gooseneck. How much does this prep package cost? You’re looking to add $500 to the total. The Silverado 2500HD’s prep package to have the 7-pin trailer harness and stamped box holes with caps installed? Total cost, $0.
Also, if you wanted the electronic locking rear differential option for the F-250, you’re looking to pay an additional $390. So that’s another thing to consider if you feel that’s an important feature to have for a three-quarter-ton truck. Other costs that raise the price of the F-250 include the rear window defogger, remote keyless access, and the side trailering mirrors. All of those are featured in the Power Equipment Group and the STX Appearance Package, which also raise the total costs. By how much? Well, see for yourself.
Estimated Cost Saving Differences: $4,025
That’s a total cost-saving difference in favor of the 2022 Silverado 2500HD. While prices will vary based on location, dealership, and other factors, on average, the basic diesel towing rig with all the basic necessities should cost you approximately $50,575 for the Silverado 2500HD. For the 2022 Ford F-250, you’re looking at a total cost of approximately $54,600 for all of the same features.
So while the F-250 may look like it saves you money in its basic configuration, you actually end up paying more in order to gain access to many of the same features that come packed into the Silverado 2500HD. That means, in this showdown between the 2022 Silverado 2500HD vs 2022 Ford F-250, the Silverado 2500HD is the one that offers the cost-saving difference when you need a heavy-duty pickup for trailering and hauling without breaking the bank.
