Popular trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Ram Face Off

Big trucks do hard work. When it comes to heavy-duty pickups, there are only four brands to consider: Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Ram. And over the past year, Dodge and General Motors Co. have significantly upped their game when it comes to their big rigs. GM’s Chevy and GMC heavy-duty trucks have been rebuilt from the ground up — adding a frame that can absorb even more of a beating.

Chrysler Group LLC rolled out a bigger diesel engine and a whole new heavy duty pickup as well, borrowing from the best of the redesigned Ram 1500. The vastly improved interior moves the Ram from construction sites to fine dining.

Ford also rolled out a new Super Duty truck and built its own diesel engine and it upped its power ratings to 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque, after GM out-muscled Ford in the spring with improvements to the bullet-proof Duramax.

This one-upmanship only helps the people who need these big trucks for work and for fun. In the heavy-duty pickup world, absolute power provides bragging rights over beer.

But picking the best? That’s tough. These heavy-duty trucks are all excellent. You could go and buy any one of them and drive away completely satisfied. Though figuring out exactly the right truck you want is difficult: Short or long bed? Crew cab? Single or double rear wheels? You’re better off describing the work you’ll use it for and go from there. There’s bound to be one that fits your needs.

Pickups have followings like no other vehicle in America. A Ford owner only sees the world through Blue Oval spectacles. A Chevy guy believes in the bowtie and a Ram man is still trying to figure out why he can’t call it a Dodge.

If you make your living off the back of your truck, and many heavy duty owners do, then the going couldn’t get much better. All of the trucks have extremely capable capacities for the above average person. They can tow houses — some slightly bigger than others — but houses nonetheless. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which makes comparing them a little more difficult.