Used Diesel Trucks Buyers Guide

Diesel Performance

Not all diesel engines are the same, even if they have the same number of cylinders in the exact same configuration. Some have greater horsepower, while others produce more torque. In addition, some of the diesel trucks can tow heavier trailers or carry more payload, depending on the overall weight and configuration of the truck.

For the most part, a truck with rear-wheel drive will provide greater towing and payload capability than one with four-wheel drive. The same goes for ones with a regular two-door cab with one row of seats as compared to cabs with four doors and two rows of seats. However, you can boost a truck’s towing capacity by buying one with additional equipment, like a gooseneck hitch and a fifth wheel.

For years, the midsize segment was defined by the legendary 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel found in the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. While that engine was retired after the 2022 model year, it paved the way for the current powerhouse: the 2.7L TurboMax™ gasoline engine. Standard on 2024–2026 models, the TurboMax delivers a "diesel-like" 430 lb-ft of torque, outmuscling the old diesel while maintaining impressive towing across trims like the Colorado ZR2 and GMC Canyon AT4X.

If you are searching for a used full-size diesel, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 remain the undisputed leaders. While 2019–2022 models featured the reliable first-gen 3.0L Duramax, the 2023–2026 models carry the refined LZ0 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6. This second-generation engine is a marvel of efficiency and grunt, delivering: 305 Horsepower and a massive 495 lb-ft of torque. Best-in-class highway fuel economy of up to 28 MPG. A max towing capacity of 13,300 lbs, making it the only diesel in its class and the gold standard for half-ton hauling.

Ford’s entry into the half-ton diesel market was brief but impactful. If you find a used 2018–2021 F-150 with the 3.0L Power Stroke V6, you are looking at a truck designed for the "long-haul commuter."

• Torque-on-Demand: It delivered 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque arriving at just 1,750 RPM. This made it feel effortless when pulling trailers through rolling hills.

• Fuel Efficiency Leader: During its run, it was one of the first full-size trucks to hit the 30 MPG highway mark. For drivers in rural Kentucky who have long highway commutes but still need a bed for weekend work, this engine is a hidden gem.

• Towing Prowess: When properly equipped, a used Power Stroke F-150 can tow up to 12,100 lbs. While Ford’s EcoBoost engines offer higher "max" numbers, the Diesel is preferred by drivers who want a more stable, lower-RPM towing experience that doesn't guzzle fuel like a gas engine under load.

RAM 1500: The EcoDiesel Endurance (2014–2023) The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel had the longest run in the segment, meaning there is a wide variety of used inventory available. The third generation of this engine (2020+) is particularly sought after for its refined performance.

• Class-Leading Torque: The final versions of the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 produced 260 horsepower and a staggering 480 lb-ft of torque. This high torque output allowed it to maintain a maximum towing capacity of 12,560 lbs.

• The 1,000-Mile Range: One of the most famous features of the used RAM EcoDiesel is its massive available 33-gallon fuel tank. Combined with its 33 MPG highway rating, this truck was technically capable of driving over 1,000 miles on a single tank, a feat most modern EVs and gas trucks still can't match.

• Premium Comfort: Unlike some "work-only" diesels, RAM offered the EcoDiesel engine even in its most luxurious trims, like the Limited and Laramie Longhorn. On the used market, this allows you to find a high-end luxury cabin paired with a fuel-sipping diesel engine.
  

Since 2016, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty lineups have undergone a massive transformation, evolving from reliable workhorses into high-tech powerhouses with nearly double the trailering capabilities. Back in 2016, the 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel delivered a respectable 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, with max towing for the 3500HD hovering around 23,200 pounds. By the 2020 redesign, those figures jumped significantly to 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque, pushing the 3500HD’s gooseneck capacity to a then-staggering 35,500 pounds. Fast forward to the present day in 2026, and the engineering has reached its pinnacle; the current refined Duramax V8 now produces a class-leading 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. This raw power, paired with the now-standard Allison® 10-speed automatic transmission, allows the 2026 Silverado and Sierra 3500HD to maintain a massive 36,000-pound towing capacity and a payload of up to 7,290 pounds. Beyond just the numbers, the evolution includes a total reimagining of trailering technology, moving from basic backup cameras to a suite of 14 available camera views—including the revolutionary "Transparent Trailer" view—and the introduction of off-road-ready HD monsters like the ZR2 and AT4X, ensuring that whether you’re hauling heavy machinery in 2016 or the latest luxury fifth-wheel in 2026, you’re doing it with the most capable frame in the industry.

Since 2016, the Ford Super Duty has set the pace for heavy-duty performance, evolving through significant engineering leaps to maintain its status as a towing juggernaut. Back in 2016, the 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo-Diesel already produced a formidable 440 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque, paired with a reliable 6-speed automatic transmission. The game changed in 2020 with the introduction of the 10-speed TorqShift® automatic, which optimized power delivery and boosted the diesel's output to 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. While the 2020 F-250 and F-350 offered impressive trailering, the F-450 emerged as the flagship for extreme hauling, boasting a then-massive gooseneck capacity. Fast forward to 2026, and the Super Duty has reached its most capable form yet; the High-Output 6.7L Power Stroke now delivers a staggering 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. This relentless innovation has pushed modern capabilities to the limit, with a properly equipped 2026 F-450 now capable of towing up to 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch, while the F-350 can handle a payload of up to 8,000 pounds. Whether you are looking at a proven 2016 model or a cutting-edge 2026 unit, the Super Duty's history is one of consistent growth in "best-in-class" metrics, making any used model a powerhouse for Kentucky's toughest jobs.

The RAM heavy-duty lineup has long been celebrated for its unconventional approach, choosing a high-torque inline-six Cummins engine over the V8 configurations found in its competitors, a move that has consistently paid off in raw pulling power. In 2016, the 6.7L Cummins produced a stout 370 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the real breakthrough came with the 2019-2020 generation, where the High-Output (HO) variant first broke the four-digit barrier with a staggering 1,000 lb-ft of torque. By 2020, the RAM 2500 had solidified its position as a "weight class champ" with a towing capacity of up to 19,680 pounds and a payload of 4,010 pounds, while the 3500 pushed those limits further to 35,100 pounds of towing and a massive 7,680-pound payload capacity—the highest cargo figure of any used truck in that era. Moving into 2026, RAM has continued to refine this legendary powertrain, with the latest High-Output Cummins now delivering 430 horsepower and an incredible 1,075 lb-ft of torque. These modern updates, paired with a newly standard 8-speed automatic transmission across the diesel range and advanced tech like a 14.5-inch touchscreen, have pushed the 2026 RAM 3500's capabilities to a maximum towing rating of 37,090 pounds. From the reliability of the 2016 models to the herculean 1,075 lb-ft torque ratings of today, the RAM heavy-duty family remains a top-tier choice for those who prioritize the legendary durability and low-end grunt of a Cummins-powered workhorse.