by Colin J. Cleary
2015’s Howlin’ HD Pickups
Is your old trusty pickup starting to show her age? Maybe after looking into one of these fancy 2015 rigs ‘ol Betty might have to hit the road! Every year here at Working Ranch we nose around and check out what the major truck manufacturers have updated and improved on from the previous year, and needless to say they always seem to make the best better somehow! I checked in with Chevrolet, RAM Trucks, Ford, and GMC to see what to expect from the new 1-Ton 2015 line-up.
CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD
How does 397 pure Duramax horsepowerpacked behind the steering wheel of the all new Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD sound? Chevrolet has upped the ante in what they claim as their “most advanced heavy duty pickup ever”. They have updated the exterior and interior, while adding an optional built in 4G Wi-Fi… if I could only trade in my office.
But let’s get to the most important part in terms of ranching… towing. The 3500 HD can tow a whopping 23,200 lbs. and features Hill Start Assist which can sense potential “rollback” when you are braking on an incline. The feature then holds the brakes momentarily when you switch over to the gas pedal to help keep the truck from rolling backwards. Chevrolet also offers trailer sway control, where sensors can detect a swaying trailer and, when the system is properly equipped, the truck will apply the truck and trailer brakes automatically to help realign the trailer
and stop swaying.
Another popular option available on the big rig is the exhaust brake system which helps reduce the amount
of braking needed. The livestock will also have the ride of their lives with these fancy towing features!
When it comes to interior, the new 2015 Silverado is quieter due to a thicker windshield and sound-deadening
materials. With redesigned seats you will also be more comfortable than ever before. The 3500 HD is available in 9 different colors and has an amazing line of accessories to help make this truck a true one of a kind. For more information contact your local Chevrolet dealer or visit them on the World Wide Web!
RAM TRUCKS
No stranger around the Working Ranch, Ram has a very reputable name when it comes to towing. The new 2015 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn® offers 30,000 lbs. of towing when equipped with their 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 Engine. It also has a best-in-class payload of 7,390 lbs., and 865 lb. ft. of torque! Ram trucks are tested thoroughly in the frozen tundra of Upper Michigan, thus ensuring one tough truck for your Working Ranch no matter what
the season or work condition.
To simplify setting the vehicle up for towing, Ram offers an optional gooseneck prep package with built-in
wiring and hitch so you’re ready to hit the road when you drive off the lot. When it comes to interior, Ram has
hit it out of the park; the control center features an 8.4 inch full color touchscreen that can also be used as a
camera… for the bed of your truck and the rear bumper. I know this would help me out when I’m hooking
up my stock trailer! (A few mishaps have happened on the Cleary Ranch).
My personal preference of the Ram would have to be the leather-tooled seats on the Longhorn Edition. The Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn is also available in 17 different color packages to make this Ram workhorse get a nod from every rancher around. To test one of these bad boys out stop into your local Ram Trucks dealer.
FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY
Ford wanted to let the hard-working readers of Working Ranch know they have just the truck to handle any job on
the ranch, in style. The renowned Ford F-350 King Ranch edition with a new Ford-built 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel engine will have you ranching in style. The more powerful 6.7L engine is class-leading in fuel economy, and features a new, larger turbocharger delivering even more on-demand power when you need it. Add the TorqShift® 6-speed Select Shift automatic transmission and you’ll really have the perfect powerhouse. This transmission operates with lower rpms because the torque converters lock up at lower speeds.
When towing we know we can never see enough of what is going on behind us, but Ford has made that easier. The
Powerscope mirrors are standard on the King Ranch and offer power-heated glass, power telescoping, power foldaway and heated spotter mirror… it has more features in the mirror than my trusty ol’ car does all together!
Ford offers a factory-installed 5th wheel and gooseneck substructure attached to the frame for incredible durability when towing. For you ranchers out there who really get off road, the F-350 Super Duty can also be equipped with the FX4 Off-Road Package that features skid plates on the transfer case and fuel tank (a must on most working ranches). Get on over to your local Ford Dealer or visit them online for more information on these ranch tough Super Duty trucks.
GMC SIERRA
If your outfit is in need of a little extra comfort, look no further than GMC’s new Sierra 3500 Denali HD.
Sierra’s new interior brings comfort, refinement, and convenience to a whole new ranching level. The cockpit of this massive workhorse was engineered to provide every cowboy riding along with a much quieter interior thanks to the new inlaid door design, triple door seal, and hydraulic powertrain and body mounts.
The interior features a soft touch instrument panel and door trim along with Denali-exclusive perforated leather-appointed seating. And how about a standard heated steering wheel and heated and cooled front seat to take the chill off those winter mornings?
When equipped with the Duramax engine and the Allison 1000 series transmission it will be practically impossible not to love this truck. With unreal luxury and power comes an unbeatable suspension; the Sierra 3500 Denali HD offers a smooth ride due to a fully independent coil-over-shock front suspension and 3 inch wide multi-stage rear leaf springs, which engage progressively as the load in the bed or hitch increases. So if the ranch is looking for great comfort and power, check out the GMC Sierra 3500 Denali HD. Stop on in to your local GMC dealer to learn more about the Sierra and what GMC has to offer.
All in all, these manufacturers make very impressive powerhouses, but of course the best way to see which one
fits your needs is to go drive them and put them through the legendary ranch test.
