Full-Sized Pickup Market Share (2017):
- Ford F-Series: 38% (896,000 sold)
- Chevrolet Silverado: 24% (586,000 sold)
- Dodge Ram Truck: 22%
- GMC Sierra: 9%
The category itself represents a huge share of vehicle sales: 2.2 million full-sized pickups were sold in 2017.
The Ford F-150
Tale of the Tape:
Payload: Up to 3,270 pounds
Towing: Up to 13,200 pounds
The Ford team reduced the weight of the F-150 by 700 pounds, while still giving the full-sized pickup great strength, by using military-grade aluminum.
The Ford F-150 has five choices for engines:
- 3.5 Liter ECOBOOST ® – 375 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque
- 2.7 Liter ECOBOOST ® – 325 hp, 400 lb-ft of torque
- 3.5 Liter ECOBOOST ® (Raptor) – 450 hp, 510 lb-ft of torque
- 3.3 Liter TI-VCT V6 – 290 hp, 265 lb-ft of torque
- 5.0 Liter V8 – 395 hp, 400 ft-lb of torque
The Chevy Silverado 1500
Tale of the Tape:
Payload: Up to 2,250 pounds
Towing: Up to 12,500 pounds
The redesigned 2019 model will use lighter materials, reducing vehicle weight by 400 pounds while maintaining durability and strength.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has three engine choices:
- 4.3 Liter V6 – 285 hp, 305 lb-ft of torque
- 5.3 Liter V8 – 355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque
- 6.2 Liter V8 – 420 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque
A Smooth Ride
Either way you go, you’re going to be spending a fair amount of time in your new truck so it should be a comfortable ride. Both the Silverado 1500 and F-150 offer smooth rides, although the Silverado has a slightly quieter cabin. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 also has plusher seats.
Both vehicles drive great and handle well. The Ford F-150 may have a slight edge when it comes to cornering and negotiating in tight spaces.
Towing Strength
There are a host of configuration options for both vehicles. Which engine and options you choose will determine the capacity, but both vehicles can pull 10,000 pounds, enough for almost anything you'll likely need to tow.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 has a maximum towing rating of 12,500 pounds, while the Ford F-150 has a maximum tow capacity of 13,200.
Keep in mind, the more you want to be able to tow, the more engine you’ll need, and the lower your fuel mileage will be.
Heavy Duty Payload Capacity
There is a big difference in payload capacity between the two vehicles. The F-150 can handle 3,270 pounds while the Silverado payload is 2,250.
Payloads are affected by engine, axle ratio, and transmission. It is true that you get what you pay for, but you also don’t want to pay for something you won’t need. Your first instinct may be to load up your truck with maximum payload and towing capacity, but think carefully about the jobs you will (or won’t) have to do before making a decision.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 comes in 5’8”, 6.6”, and 8’ beds. The Ford F-150 has 5’5”, 6’5”, and 8’ beds.
Better Fuel Efficiency
You’re not going to see mileage numbers when you’re driving around something as heavy-duty as a pickup like you would from a car, but they’ve come a long way.
The gas-powered F-150 tops out at an impressive 20 city/26 highway miles per gallon. Different engines will give you different EPA ratings. The 5.0 Liter V8 is toughest on the fuel budget, but still achieves 16 city/22 highway mpg with four-wheel drive. The F-150 comes with standard auto stop/auto start technology and a 10-speed automatic on most models.
The 4.3 Liter V6 is the most efficient engine for the Silverado 1500. It is EPA rated at 18 city/24 highway mpg for the two-door. The 6.2 Liter V8 is rated at 15 city/20 highway mpg for the four-wheel drive version.
Technology & Safety Features
Both trucks sport similar capabilities when it comes to tech and safety features, including the options you’d expect in a high-end vehicle.
The Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 both feature:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane departure warnings
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind spot monitors
- Backup cameras
- Cross traffic alerts
- Automatic emergency braking
- Tire pressure monitoring
The F-150 offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ on some models.
Competitive Pricing
On basic work models, pricing between Chevrolet and Ford are fairly similar.
The 2018 Silverado starts at $28,285 including destination freight, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. The 2018 Ford F-150 starts at $27,705. These numbers are for minimal amenities, however. When you start adding in some of the more popular trim levels and packages, the price can shoot up into the $40,000 to $50,000 range.
The top limited trim level for the F-150 can command a $63,000 MSRP, while the High Country Silverado 1500, Chevy’s priciest truck, has a price tag of $55,000.
Changes for 2018
For the 2018 F-150, Ford introduced for the first time a light-duty diesel model, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control and Wi-Fi hotspots as options. No notable changes in design are expected when the 2019 models roll out later this year.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 has been redesigned, starting with the 2019 models. Unveiled at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, the Silverado 1500 features a stronger but lighter-grade steel alloy than previous models. Doors, hood, and tailgates are made of lightweight aluminum, while the frame is 80% high-strength steel. Chevy says these changes allow for reduced total weight without sacrificing durability. Altogether, the redesign reduced weight by 450 pounds.
Other changes for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in 2019 Models:
- Industry-first power tailgate will open and close automatically
- Increased number of tie-downs
- Double the maximum capacity of the 2018 model
- New lockable storage bins
- Updated versions of the 5.3 liter V8 and 6.2 liter V8 engines
- New safety and tech package
It’s Your Choice
Which truck you pick is a highly personal decision. Ultimately, your choice depends on which features you want and what capabilities you need. The more you need, the more you’ll pay, so when you’re making the decision about whether to purchase the Ford F-150 or the Chevy Silverado 1500, figure out first exactly what you're going to do with it. Then, take the test drive, line up your pros and cons, and study the numbers. While this is by no means an exhaustive shopping guide, we hope we have covered the most common concerns of shoppers looking for truck backup cameras.
