Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A black 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is shown from the front parked in the mountains.

Which Heavy Duty Truck is Best For Doing Actual Work?

When it comes to the working American, having a hard-working truck at your side that can really keep up with you is an absolute necessity. That’s why when you’re looking for a heavy-duty truck that you can take with you on the job, you can’t afford to settle for anything less than the best. So how do the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD vs 2022 Ford F-250 compare in terms of towing capacity, payload capacity, and other working accessories and features?

When it comes to heavy-duty trucks or work trucks, they can do a lot of things. They can tow trailers, move goods from one place to another, provide hauling services, and help with heavy construction work. But which truck is the most reliable and which one do you want to take with you to the worksite every day? The answer might surprise you.

Towing Capabilities and Accessories

When it comes to trucks like the GMC Sierra HD and the Ford Super Duty lineups, one of the big things that people are looking for is a towing and hauling vehicle. There are many factors that come into play with a truck’s ability to tow, whether it is work-related or whether you’re using it for fun and recreation. These factors include engine, frame strength, transmission, and so on. All of these pieces of equipment are important parts of the formula that is towing capacity.

Both GMC and Ford put considerable amounts of effort into this area because both of them strive to be and provide the very best. The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, for example, successfully meets a max towing capacity of 18,510 lbs. This is a lot of tug of war power for this size of pickup truck, and this is certainly more towing capacity than the average person could ever even get close to using.

Both trucks reach their maximum towing capacity with their optional turbo-diesel engines. However, many drivers prefer the convenience and ease of use of a gasoline engine. In this case, the 2022 Sierra HD comes standard with a 6.6L V8 that can haul an impressive 17,370 pounds. In contrast, the standard 6.2L V8 found under the hood of the 2022 F-250 is only able to tow a maximum of 15,800 pounds. If you want more power than this, you are going to have to get ready to pay more for one of the optional engines.

There is one thing that you are like to notice as a driver of these high-class pickup trucks, and that is visibility. When towing, or even while participating in regular backing and driving, visibility is huge. The better you can see what is going on around you, the safer you and your equipment will be. This is where the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is really going to excel over the 2022 Ford F-250.

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD includes up to 15 different camera views, which is more than any other competitor has available. Now, cameras can’t replace 100% of what a spotter can do for you from the outside of your vehicle, but cameras can be really great when you’re on your own or when you are traveling and on the move, and a spotter is not really feasible. It is worth noting here that the 2022 Ford F-250 does have cameras and technologies that help with towing and backing trailers, but it does not have all 15 camera views that the GMC has. When it comes to safety for you, your family, your friends, and your equipment, more visibility will really give you more peace of mind, and you just can’t put a price on that.

A blue 2022 Ford F-250 HD is shown from the front kicking up dust.

One of a Kind Tailgate

The next biggest reason people seem to opt for one truck over another is the bed. What can they carry in it? This takes into consideration payload capacity as well as the size and ability to keep cargo securely inside of it. As far as payload goes, both of these rigs do very well.

When it comes to cargo, the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD comes out on top when compared to the 2022 Ford F-250. The 2022 Sierra 2500 HD has a payload of up to 3,979 lbs, whereas the 2022 F-250 can haul up to 4,260 lbs worth of payload. But to get these max payload numbers, the GMC only needs its standard gasoline engine, while the Ford will need to be outfitted with its optional 7.3L engine. Make sure you compare the specific truck setup you want in order to get accurate max towing and payload numbers.

The other big consideration when loading and hauling with a truck bed is the tailgate. The 2022 Ford F-250 has a removable (and lockable) tailgate that can come with an optional power lock and an optional tailgate step. If you ever need to climb into the back of your truck when the tailgate is down and blocking the bumper you normally use as a step, that extra step feature can really come in handy and save you a ton of time and effort. This is a great feature that Ford has made available and clearly shows how they are thinking about the end-users of their trucks.

On the other hand, the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD also has an available fancy tailgate. However, the GMC MultiPro tailgate does more than just help you step up. While the GMC tailgate also has a step feature, in addition to this step, the Sierra tailgate also has two gate load stops, which essentially help lock loads into the bed. The primary gate can open with a key fob, a switch inside the truck cab, or a button found on the tailgate itself. Once you get it open, you can give yourself easier access by folding down the inner gate area, which allows you to reach even further into the bed of your truck than you normally would be able to.

If you need to climb into your truck’s bed, just fold down the full-length step. That’s easy to do as well! And last but not least, there is a work surface associated with the inner gate, which gives you a place for a laptop, blueprints, or anything else you may need a desk or table for. This shelf can also be used as a second-tier for loading when a staggering loading method needs to be used. Talk about a highly functional piece of equipment! This unique tailgate is certainly going to make your life a million times easier.

A white 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is shown parked in the desert towing dune buggies on a trailer.

Is the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD the Right Truck for You?

If you are looking for a truck that’s going to be doing real work, look no further than the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. It is one of the only trucks currently on the market where you can get top-notch towing capacities combined with premium payload capacities. Throw in the unique and exclusive camera angles and the super fancy tailgate, and you really can’t go wrong. While the 2022 Ford F-250 is a solid truck, we have to lean towards GMC in this comparison.