2021 Ram 3500 vs Chevy Silverado 3500

There are a lot of things to look for in a full-size, heavy-duty pickup truck. Certainly, at the top of the list is performance—after all, the main reason to buy a large truck like this is because you want to tow, haul, and go anywhere you want to go, on-road and off. Drivers across Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, and Geneva, NY, have known for years that Ram and Chevy are two of the best truck makers around.

Which one is the better heavy-duty, full-size monster, though? Let’s see what happens when we put the 2021 Ram 3500 vs. 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 head to head for performance, features, comfort, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Friendly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (DCJR) if you have any questions.

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Ram vs Chevy: Performance & Towing Capacity

Since performance is the key feature in choosing the right pickup, let’s start with how the 2021 Ram 3500 measures up against the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 in terms of engines and power. Both of these trucks have standard V8 engines, providing them with tons of power.

The Silverado 3500 comes with a 6.6-liter gas engine, giving you 401 horsepower. It also has a maximum payload of 7,442 pounds. Plus, with its standard engine, the Silverado 3500 can tow a maximum 17,370 pounds when properly equipped.

In contrast, the Ram 3500 is even more powerful with its 6.4-liter HEMI® V8. This engine will give you 410 horsepower and a max towing capacity of 18,210 pounds, not to mention the payload capacity of 7,680 pounds.

Plus, when you equip both of these trucks with one of the available diesel engines, they put out even more power. Check out their performance specs…

Though you can up your towing capacity for the Chevy Silverado 3500 if you add on the Max Trailering Package and gooseneck hitch, you’ll still have less towing power than the Ram 3500. This extra package and gooseneck hitch only give the Silverado a max towing capacity of 36,000 pounds. While impressive, it doesn’t beat the Ram 3500’s 37,100-pound capacity.

Base Options & Features

When it comes to features and technology, it’s hard to beat what you get from the Ram 3500.

Its available Uconnect® 12.0 with Navigation infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ has a 12-inch display and allows you to get the most out of your smartphone apps. Add that to the vehicle’s available remote keyless entry, available 17-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System, and available dual-zone automatic climate control system, and it’ll make all the difference in driving experience and comfort.

The Chevy Silverado 3500 does offer an 8-inch infotainment system and dual-zone climate control, but it doesn’t boast the sheer wealth of features, technology, and equipment that the Ram 3500 does. For example, the Chevy has an available Bose® Premium Sound System, but it only has seven speakers compared to the Ram’s available 17 speakers.

Comfort

When it comes to driving long distances, you always want to have a comfortable ride. Luckily, the Ram offers more features to help make you comfortable and improve your overall experience. These include leather seats and accents made from genuine wood and aluminum.

The Ram also has standard heated and ventilated front seats on higher trims. Plus, the suspension system does a great job at keeping the ride smooth overall, as well as increasing the ease of entry and exit.

The Silverado 3500 offers a comfortable ride, as well, with leather upholstery and heated seats. However, it doesn’t have the genuine wood, aluminum accents, and high back seats that the Ram provides.

Cargo Room and Truck Bed Features

When it comes to places to put your cargo, both of these powerful trucks have two different bed sizes. What kind of cargo space does the cabin offer, though? Well, with the 2021 Ram 3500, you’ll have an available versatile configurable center console. This will let you configure your center console with features like a bin for hanging file folders.

The Ram 3500 offers even more cabin storage space. Whether you’re traveling with a bunch of work tools or hauling a bunch of bags full of sports equipment, this truck has a lot of storage features. With the Ram Bins, you get in-floor storage. Plus, upper trims have a standard 15-inch rear under-seat storage compartment.

By contrast, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 has available under-seat storage, but no in-floor storage available. Plus, it lacks some of the special truck bed features that the Ram 3500 comes with. This includes the RamBox® Cargo Management System, which consists of two storage bins in the truck bed.

These storage bins are both drainable and lockable, so you can use them for a variety of things. Additionally, they have LED lighting and can be accessed remotely with a key fob. Not only does the truck bed have these bins, but you can also enjoy LED lights integrated within the truck bed itself, as well as a 115-volt outlet.

Ram 3500 vs Chevy Silverado 3500: Safety

With trucks as powerful as these, you might find yourself in all sorts of situations. Whether you’re ready for an off-roading adventure or towing almost 30,000 pounds behind you, safety is always important.

The Ram 3500 and Chevy Silverado 3500 have some basic standard safety features, such as rear-view cameras and tire pressure monitoring systems. However, the Ram 3500 has more available features for its base trim than the Chevy Silverado 3500.

For example, the Ram 3500 has Full-Speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus, which helps detect potential impacts with objects and vehicles in front of you. It uses sensors and will warn you of the potential collision, as well as automatically apply the brakes.

Another safety feature that is available on the Ram 3500 base trim is the LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist. This will alert you if you start to drift into another lane, and it will guide you back into the proper lane.

When it comes to the Chevy Silverado 3500 safety features, it has equivalent Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning systems. However, the Lane Departure Warning is only available on upper trims and not the base trim.

Safety isn’t only important for your truck, but also for your trailer. Drive with confidence knowing that both of these pickup trucks offer Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring on their base trims, as well as Trailer Sway Damping. In addition, the Ram 3500 offers a Trailer Brake Controller.

Check Out the Ram 3500

There’s no doubt that both of these trucks are powerful and capable. However, when it comes to the 2021 Ram 3500 vs. Chevy Silverado 3500, the winner is clear. In many ways, especially in terms of performance and towing capacity, the Ram 3500 simply outdoes Chevy.

You can check out the Ram 3500 yourself by stopping into Friendly DCJR today. We can’t wait to help you get out on the roads of Geneva, Penn Yan, and Watkins Glen, New York.