Are you in the market for a new or used pickup truck? If so, prepare to dig deep and pay up. The average cost of a new truck is now north of $60,000, says Cars.com. You can save by hitting the used vehicle market, but the cost of ownership goes far beyond the purchase price.
According to AAA, motorists drive an average of 13,596 miles annually and spend $1,336 on car maintenance and repairs. But the operative word here is “average.” Depending on the type, make, and model you buy, your annual maintenance and repair costs may be astronomical.
Here are 16 of the costliest trucks to keep on the road based on research from CarEdge.
Ram 3500
If you need a truck that can tow anything that can be loaded onto a trailer, the RAM 3500 should be on the list. According to Edmunds, the 2024 model year can tow up to 37,090 pounds if it’s equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch.
But the Ram 3500’s reliability leaves much to be desired. It gets a 2.0/5.0 rating from RepairPail.com, which is good for 16th place out of 17 full-size pickup trucks. According to CarEdge, the Ram 3500’s 10-year expense is a whopping $26,899.
Ram 2500
The 2024 RAM 2500 gets a 9/10 rating from U.S. News & World Report. The reviewer describes it as “an excellent heavy-duty truck.” You can get the truck with a 6.4-liter V8 delivering 410 hp or a 6.7-liter Cummins 6-cylinder turbodiesel producing 370 hp. The 10-year maintenance expense is a negative, however, at an astounding $26,666.
Ram 5500
Most people aren’t seeking a mammoth truck like a RAM 5500. But it’s the third most expensive vehicle to maintain on CarEdge’s list. The 10-year maintenance expense is $26,270.
Ram 4500
Are you thinking about purchasing a RAM 4500 pickup truck? While it’ll offer more towing and payload capacity than most motorists will ever need or know what to do with, you’ll also have to shoulder the high 10-year maintenance expense of $26,206.
Ram 1500
A popular pickup truck is the Ram 1500. Its 3.5/5.0 reliability rating from RepairPal.com means it’s ranked fourth out of 17 full-size pickup trucks. Owners can expect to pay around $18,470 over a 10-year period for maintenance.
Ford F-450 Super Duty
The 2024 Ford F-450 Super Duty comes with a diesel V8 engine and tows as much as 30,000 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch. But the tally can go up to 40,000 pounds with a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch. While the vehicle can meet most truck owners’ hauling requirements, the 10-year maintenance cost of $16,078 is nothing to sneeze at.
Ford F-350 Super Duty
The Ford F-350 Super Duty also makes the list of costliest trucks to maintain. It does just a tad better than the Ford F-450 Super Duty, with a 10-year maintenance expense of $15,686.
Ford F-250 Super Duty
According to Edmunds, the 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty features “massive towing and payload capability” and “a cleverly designed interior.” The 10-year maintenance expense for the truck is, according to CarEdge, $15,637.
Ford F-550 Super Duty
The Ford F-550 Super Duty comes in three trim levels. Those are the 2024 Ford Super Duty F-550 XL, the 2024 Ford Super Duty F-550 XLT, and the 2024 Ford Super Duty F-550 Lariat. All three are equipped with the all-new 7.3L 2V DECVT V8 gasoline engine that produces 350 hp and 468 lb.-ft. of torque. Its 10-year maintenance expense is $15,433.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
Available with a gas engine that can tow 16,000 pounds, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is the next truck on this list. Drivers can up the towing capacity to 18,700 pounds with the dual option. Adding a fifth-wheel or gooseneck option will increase towing even more — as will choosing a diesel engine. The 10-year maintenance figure for one of these trucks is $15,275.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD does better than its bigger brother on the maintenance expenses front. Its 10-year maintenance cost is $15,123.
GMC Sierra 3500HD
While the GMC Sierra 3500 is a capable work truck, it might not be the most reliable. RepairPal.com gives the GMC Sierra 3500 a reliability rating of 2.5/5.0, which ranks the pickup at 11th out of 17 full-size trucks. The 10-year maintenance expense is $15,275.
GMC Sierra 2500HD
The GMC Sierra 3500HD’s little brother, the GMC Sierra 2500HD, has a 10-year maintenance cost of $13,536.
Jeep Gladiator
Features a removable roof and doors, off-road cred, and enough towing capacity for many drivers, the 2024 Jeep Gladiator is regarded by many consumers as the perfect combination of an SUV and a truck. According to CarEdge, the 10-year maintenance cost is $12,479.
Ford F-150
The 2024 Ford F-150 gets a 9.0/10.0 review from Car and Driver. The reviewer highlights the well-equipped interior, large number of models, and optional onboard generator to operate power tools and other things. It has a 10-year maintenance cost of $10,991.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
In reviewing the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Car and Driver calls it a “true pickup truck.” It adds that the vehicle’s V-8 engine is “powerful and surprisingly refined.” The 10-year maintenance cost for the truck is $10,620.
Don’t Overlook Maintenance Costs When Buying a Truck
When looking for a new or used truck, don’t just focus on the features, towing and payload specs, safety ratings, and price. You should also consider how much it’ll cost you to maintain it.
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