When it comes to pickup trucks, size really does matter. Pickup trucks are usually compared and defined in relation to their payload capacity, maximum towing capability and the overall weight that they have. A truck's curb weight is of special interest here, as it defines the weight of the pickup truck, without any additional baggage in the back, and without any passenger present within the vehicle.
To get a better grip over the varieties available in the market and over the characters that define pickup trucks, we have divided our list of pickup trucks into categories of full-size and mid-size trucks. If you're here just for the numbers, we've put them together in a table for you. In black, you'll see the full-size pickup truck models. In red are the smaller mid-size trucks -
This comparison will help you get a good understanding of pickup trucks and their curb weights. Go through this analysis, and find the right pickup truck for your needs.
What Affects the curb weight of a pickup truck?
As you can see from the table above, many pickup truck models have a range of weight, instead of a single number. In some cases, the range represents over a dozen separate numbers that we could find for that type of truck. Here's what's typically causing this variation in curb weight -
Heavy Duty vs. Regular Trucks
Most full-size trucks come in heavy-duty versions. For example, the Ford F-350, Ram 2500 or Silverado 3500HD are all heavy-duty trucks, designed to haul and tow heavier weight. They are designed for the task, with a stronger and heavier chassis, larger engines and an overall sturdier build. Naturally, these beasts are also heavier.
Trim level
Some of the popular truck models come in a variety of trim levels. For example, if you're out to buy a Ford F-150, you can choose between a humble Ford F-150 XL, through the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor, Platinum, all the way up to the Limited luxury version.
Some elements of the trim level hardly affect the weight of the truck. After all, leather seat covers don't weight a whole lot more than plain fabric ones. However, the higher up you go in trim level, the more systems you have added onto the truck. At some point, that accumulated weight can make the truck heavier.
Cab size
Many truck models offer a choice of cab size. From a basic one-row of seats to spacious two-rows - and some configurations in between. You can read more about the various types of truck cabs in this post. Of course, the larger the cab, the higher the curb weight.
Bed size
The other major factor in a truck's configuration is the length of its bed. Many full-size truck models are offered in a variety of bed lengths. The longer the bed - the heavier the truck.
Read more: How long is the bed of an average pickup truck?
2WD vs. 4WD
An often-overlooked parameter of weight is that of the drivetrain. While most people think of a large pickup truck as a great fit for off-road adventures, many models are actually offered in both a 2WD and 4WD configurations. Having a four-wheel-drive can add hundreds of pounds to the weight to the truck.
If you're looking to stay lightweight, a 2WD truck may be the way to go. Sounds strange? Check out our post about 2WD vs. 4WD trucks and see which configuration is best for your needs.
Engine configuration
Finally, the same model, with the same trim level, cab size, and bed size can be offered in a choice of more than one engine. The typical division here is that of gas vs. diesel engines, with the latter being sturdier and heavier too.
Read more: Engine sizes and what they mean for you as a pickup truck owner
Now that you know what could be causing this range of weights for the same pickup truck, let's take a closer look at some popular models.
Full-Size Pickup Trucks
1. Ford F-Series
The Ford F-series includes a comprehensive range of pickup trucks, all with their own weight and sizes. The series begins with the Ford F-150 and goes all the way up to the Ford F-750. The weights for these pickup trucks keep increasing with the model.
The Ford F-150 is a Class 2A light-duty pickup truck. These trucks rank between 6,000 to 8,000 lbs as far as their curb weight is concerned. The Ford F-250 ranks slightly better as a Class 2B light-duty pickup truck. The average weight for this range is around 8,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Following the F-150 and F-250 is the Ford F-350, which ranks as a heavy-duty truck. The curb weight for the Ford F-350 ranks between 10,000 to 14,000 lbs.
The Ford F-450 also ranks as a heavy-duty truck, but the weight for this variant is supposed to be around 14,000 to 16,000 lbs. Closely following the Ford F-450 is the Ford F-550 variant that is marked as a heavy-duty truck, but with a curb weight of 16,000 to 19,500 lbs.
The Ford F-650 is a super heavy-duty truck, as it has a total curb weight of 19,000 to 26,000 lbs. Perhaps the heaviest out of all pickup trucks is the Ford F-750 pickup truck, weighing around 26,000 to 33,000 lbs in size.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado also includes a comprehensive range of pickup trucks, all with their own weight and sizes. The series begins with the Chevy Silverado 1500 and goes till the Chevrolet Silverado 6500. The weights for all of these variants keep progressing with size and model.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a Class 2A light-duty pickup truck. These trucks rank between 6,000 to 8,000 lbs as fair as their curb weight is concerned. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 ranks slightly better as a Class 2B light-duty pickup truck. The average weight for this range is around 8,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Following the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, which ranks as a heavy-duty truck. The curb weight for the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is between 10,000 to 14,000 lbs.
The Chevrolet Silverado 4500 also ranks as a heavy-duty truck, but the weight for this variant is around 14,000 to 16,000 lbs. Closely following the Chevrolet Silverado 4500 is the Chevrolet Silverado 5500 variant that is marked as a heavy-duty truck, but with a curb weight of 16,000 to 19,500 lbs.
The Chevrolet Silverado 6500 is a heavy heavy-duty truck, as it has a total curb weight of 19,000 to 26,000 lbs. The Chevrolet Silverado 6500 is the heaviest out of all Silverado variants and ranks as a super heavy-duty truck.
3. Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram series for pickup trucks also includes numerous variants similar to the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F Series.
The Dodge Ram 1500 is a Class 2A light-duty pickup truck. These trucks rank between 6,000 to 8,000 lbs as fair as their curb weight is concerned. The Dodge Ram 2500 ranks slightly better as a Class 2B light-duty pickup truck. The average weight for this range is around 8,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Following the Dodge Ram 1500 and the Dodge Ram, 2500 is the Dodge Ram 3500, which ranks as a heavy-duty truck. The curb weight for the Dodge Ram 3500 is between 10,000 to 14,000 lbs.
The Dodge Ram 4500 also ranks as a heavy-duty truck, but the weight for this variant is around 14,000 to 16,000 lbs. Closely following the Dodge Ram 4500 is the Dodge Ram 5500 variant that is marked as a heavy-duty truck, but with a curb weight of 16,000 to 19,500 lbs. The Ram 5500 is the heaviest out of all varieties within the Ram series.
4. GMC Sierra
The GMC Sierra also has multiple variants that can be grouped on the basis of their curb weight and size.
The GMC Sierra 1500 is a Class 2A light-duty pickup truck. These trucks rank between 6,000 to 8,000 lbs as fair as their curb weight is concerned. The GMC Sierra 2500 ranks slightly better as a Class 2B light-duty pickup truck. The average weight for this range is around 8,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Following the GMC Sierra 1500 and the GMC Sierra 2500 is the GMC Sierra 3500, which ranks as a heavy-duty truck. The curb weight for the Dodge Ram 3500 is between 10,000 to 14,000 lbs. The GMC Sierra 3500 is the heaviest variant of the pickup truck as of now.
5. Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra, which is Toyota’s sole participant in the list for full-sized pickup trucks, is considered as a Class A light-duty pickup truck. The truck weighs in between 6,000 to 10,000 lbs and is considered as one of the heavier vehicles going around town.
The Toyota Tundra has the same curb weight as a Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. All of these pickup trucks come under the same class of trucks and are considered similar as far as their characteristics are considered.
6. Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan has a curb weight of 5,038 lb and comes as a light-duty truck within the full-sized variants for pickup trucks. The Nissan Titan ranks similarly with the Toyota Tundra as far as the curb weight is concerned. Both the pickup trucks have a similar shape as well, which justifies the similarity in total weight.
Midsize Pickup Trucks
1. Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger can be considered as a midsize pickup truck, as it weights under the 5,000 lbs barrier that experts have suggested for mid-size and full-size pickup trucks. The weight for the Ford Ranger is an indication of the convenience that the truck provides for mid-level expert drivers.
2. Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado comes in two versions, which are the Ext cab and the Crew Cab. The Ext Cab ranks at 4,310 lbs, while the Crew Cab variant ranks at 4,476 lbs. The Colorado is a favorite for people that want convenience and affordability. It might not have the biggest size and offers exceptional affordability.
3. Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma, which is one of Toyota’s best-selling pickup trucks in the United States, is distributed into two versions as well. We have a 2 wheel drive version and a 4 wheel drive version of the vehicle. The 2 wheel drive variant weighs in at around 3155 lbs, while the 4 wheels drive version weighs in at around 3877 lbs.
4. Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is another one of the favorites for people within the United States. The Frontier packs around 3,300 lbs of weight and has a towing capacity of 3,800 lbs. The Nissan Frontier can be considered similar to the Toyota Tacoma we discussed above.
5. GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon has a 2WD and a 4WD variant. The 2WD variant weighs at around 3900 lbs, while the 4WD variant weighs in at around 4420 lbs. The GMC Canyon is slightly heavier than some of the other trucks in this list.
6. Honda Ridgeline
Honda’s only contribution to this list, the Ridgeline has a powerful body that has a curb weight of 4255 lbs. The curb weight is slightly heavier than other mid-sized pickup trucks.
7. Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator has a curb weight of around 4,800 lbs and is rated as a mid-sized truck. The pickup truck has a beautiful shape to it and is a personal favorite for many within the United States.
That's it! You now have a good estimate for the curb weight of America's favorite trucks. Please note that these numbers were taken from the manufacturer's websites and since mistakes can happen, please double and triple check the numbers yourself before making your decision.