What Is the Largest Truck You Can Buy Today?

The largest road‑legal truck you can buy is a Class 8 semi‑tractor—models like the Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL, Kenworth T680, and Peterbilt 579—capable of operating in combinations up to 80,000 pounds on U.S. interstates. If you mean a consumer pickup sold with a factory bed, the Ford F‑450 Super Duty (dually) is the biggest you can buy new, with a 14,000‑lb GVWR and up to roughly 40,000‑lb gooseneck towing. What counts as “largest” depends on whether you’re talking about commercial tractors, straight trucks, or pickups—and what you’re licensed to drive.

The Largest Truck You Can Buy for Highway Use: Class 8 Semi‑Tractors

For absolute size and capability you can purchase and register for public roads, Class 8 tractors are the top of the pyramid. They’re sold new to individuals and fleets through dealers, though operating one typically requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Here are representative Class 8 tractors you can buy, with typical capabilities and notes:

• Freightliner Cascadia: The best‑selling U.S. Class 8 tractor; spec’d for regional to long‑haul. Interstate gross combination weight (GCW) typically capped at 80,000 lb without permits.
• Volvo VNL (new generation launched for 2024): Emphasizes aerodynamics and safety tech; widely used in line‑haul applications.
• Kenworth T680 / Peterbilt 579: Aerodynamic tractors from PACCAR, popular with owner‑operators and fleets.
• International LT: Competitive long‑haul platform with modern driver‑assist features.

While the tractor itself may weigh 18,000–23,000 lb, the legally allowed combined weight with trailer and cargo on federal interstates is generally 80,000 lb (higher with state permits or specialized configurations). Expect overall lengths around 70–80+ feet with a 53‑foot trailer, and a height up to the 13 ft 6 in legal clearance standard.

The Largest Pickup Truck You Can Buy: Ford F‑450 Super Duty (DRW)

If your definition of “truck” means a pickup with a factory bed you can buy at a consumer dealership, the Ford F‑450 Super Duty dual‑rear‑wheel model is the current benchmark for size and capability. It edges rivals by GVWR classing, axle setup, and maximum tow ratings, while remaining a pickup rather than a chassis cab.

Key specs and context for the F‑450 pickup (2024–2025 models, approximate figures vary by configuration):

• GVWR: About 14,000 lb (Class 3), DRW with wide‑track front axle for stability and turning.
• Powertrains: 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo‑diesel, including High‑Output tune around 500 hp and 1,200 lb‑ft.
• Max towing: Up to roughly 40,000 lb (gooseneck) when properly equipped; among the highest in the segment.
• Size: Crew Cab Long Bed stretches to roughly 22 feet in length; near the 96‑inch width limit (excluding mirrors).

Competitors like the Ram 3500 HD and Chevrolet/GMC 3500 HD match much of the physical footprint and offer massive tow ratings, but the F‑450 pickup remains the segment’s “largest” by configuration and maximum factory ratings.

Beyond Pickups: The Largest Straight/Medium‑Duty Trucks You Can Buy

Between pickups and full Class 8 tractors sit medium‑ and heavy‑duty straight trucks. These are commonly sold as cab‑and‑chassis for vocational bodies (box, flatbed, dump) and can be purchased by individuals or businesses. Driving many of them requires a CDL if their GVWR exceeds 26,000 lb.

Notable examples and their typical GVWR ranges:

• Ford F‑600/F‑650/F‑750: Up to roughly 37,000 lb GVWR in F‑750 form (Class 7), widely available through Ford commercial dealers.
• Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab: Up to about 19,500 lb GVWR (Class 4–5), popular for tow and service bodies.
• Chevrolet/GMC 4500–6500 (Silverado/TopKick lineages): Class 4–6 chassis with diverse upfit options.
• Freightliner M2 106 Plus and similar: Medium/heavy straight trucks with broad vocational uses, spec’able into Class 7/8.

These trucks are “larger” than any pickup in GVWR and payload potential, but they’re sold primarily as commercial platforms and—once above 26,001 lb GVWR—enter CDL territory for operation on public roads.

Licensing and Legal Limits: What You Can Buy vs. What You Can Drive

You can buy virtually any truck if a dealer will sell it to you and you can insure and register it. Operating it, however, is governed by licensing and weight rules. Understanding the key weight terms helps clarify what “largest” really means in practice.

Here are the essential definitions that determine what you can drive legally:

• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Max allowable weight of the vehicle itself when loaded. Above 26,000 lb generally requires a CDL for non‑RV use.
• GCWR/GCW (Gross Combined Weight Rating/Weight): Max combined weight of towing vehicle and trailer; on U.S. interstates, combinations are usually limited to 80,000 lb without permits.
• Dimensions: Width is typically capped at 102 inches (8 ft 6 in) for most highway vehicles; height commonly limited to 13 ft 6 in; length limits vary by state and configuration.

In short, you can buy trucks larger than you can legally drive on a standard license. For many buyers, the practical ceiling without stepping into CDL requirements is a heavy pickup or a sub‑26,000‑lb GVWR medium‑duty truck.

Off‑Highway Giants: The Biggest Trucks Money Can Buy (But Not for Roads)

If “largest” means sheer size and payload irrespective of street legality, mining haul trucks dwarf everything else. These are purpose‑built, off‑highway machines purchased by mines and heavy industry—impractical and illegal for public roads.

Leading examples include:

• BelAZ 75710: Among the world’s largest, with payload around 450 metric tons.
• Caterpillar 797F: Payload around 400 short tons, with gross operating weight above 1.3 million lb.
• Komatsu 980E‑5: Another ultra‑class hauler in the 400‑ton class.

These trucks answer “largest” in absolute terms, but they sit far outside consumer or typical commercial purchase and public‑road use.

How to Decide Which “Largest” Fits Your Needs

Before choosing a truck at the upper end of size and capability, align the purchase with the job, legal requirements, and practicality. The points below can help focus your decision.

• Towing/Hauling Needs: Match GVWR/GCWR and axle ratings to your real loads; overspec’ing adds cost and complexity.
• Licensing/Compliance: Verify CDL needs, endorsements (air brakes), logbook/ELOG rules, and local weight/dimension limits.
• Usability: Consider parking, turning radius, and access to jobsites, neighborhoods, and garages.
• Total Cost of Ownership: Insurance, fuel (diesel), maintenance, tires, and potential commercial registration fees.
• Upfit/Body: If you need a box, flatbed, or crane, a cab‑and‑chassis may beat a pickup; if you need a bed and personal‑use flexibility, a heavy‑duty pickup may be best.

Clarifying these factors usually identifies whether you need a top‑spec pickup like an F‑450, a medium‑duty straight truck, or a full Class 8 tractor.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the largest truck you can buy for public roads, a Class 8 semi‑tractor is the king of size and capability, typically operating up to 80,000 lb GCW on interstates with the right licensing. If you want the largest consumer pickup with a factory bed, the Ford F‑450 Super Duty (dually) is the current benchmark. Anything larger—like mining haulers—is off‑highway only.

Summary

The largest truck you can buy and drive on highways is a Class 8 semi‑tractor (e.g., Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL, Kenworth T680, Peterbilt 579), operating in combinations up to 80,000 lb without special permits. In the pickup world, the Ford F‑450 Super Duty dually is the biggest factory‑bed truck you can buy new, with a 14,000‑lb GVWR and exceptional tow ratings. Larger straight trucks (like the Ford F‑750) and off‑highway mining trucks exist, but they require commercial licensing or are not legal for public roads.

What is the largest truck you can buy without a CDL?

When Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Truck? If you are going to operate any of the following vehicles, you must first obtain a CDL: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more. Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,000 lbs.

Is there a 10 ton truck?

10 Ton – Freightliner. The 10 Ton Production Box Truck is the perfect large vehicle for your production. It has 3 axles, air brakes, and a hydraulic lift gate.

What is the biggest truck you can buy?

The largest “trucks” you can buy vary by category; among common pickup trucks, you can find heavy-duty models like the Ford F-350 or Ram 3500, while the Ford F-650 Super Duty is a larger commercial-grade vehicle available for purchase. For a truly massive and specialized vehicle, the BelAZ 75710 is one of the largest mining trucks, though it is not for general public purchase.
 
Heavily modified and commercial trucks

• Ford F-650: Opens in new tabThis “Super Duty” truck is significantly larger than typical consumer pickups and can be customized with various upfits, making it a large vehicle that is still available for purchase by individuals. 
• International CXT: Opens in new tabThis street-legal, heavy-duty truck was a massive vehicle based on a commercial chassis. 

This video shows a modified International CXT truck: 1mGabe Farrell ProductionsYouTube · Mar 26, 2025
Heavy-duty pickup trucks
These are the largest consumer-oriented pickup trucks you can buy: Ford F-350 Super Duty, GMC/Chevrolet 3500 HD, and Ram 3500. 
Specialized, non-street-legal mining trucks 

• BelAZ 75710: This is one of the largest vehicles in the world, a mining truck that can be purchased for heavy industrial use, though it is not a typical street-legal truck.

The best way to find the “biggest” truck is to consider your budget and intended use, as what is considered the biggest depends on the category of the vehicle.

Is GM really making an $8000 pickup truck?

No, GM is not making an $8,000 pickup truck; this price point is a common theme in misleading YouTube titles about the Chevrolet Montana, which is an actual upcoming compact truck but will not be priced at $8,000. The sources suggest the Montana will offer affordability and utility, but the $8,000 figure is an exaggeration used for clickbait in videos about budget-friendly trucks from various manufacturers.
 
Why the confusion?

• Misleading YouTube titles: Many videos on platforms like YouTube use titles like “GM Ceo REVEALS NEW $8000 Pickup Truck” or “IT HAPPENED! New $8,000 Pickup Trucks HITTING The Market in 2025!” to attract viewers, according to this YouTube video. 
• Focus on affordability: The Chevy Montana is indeed a compact pickup truck from GM that aims to be affordable, but the $8,000 price is not a realistic or advertised starting price for the vehicle. 
• Global vs. U.S. markets: The Montana is designed to be a global product, and its specific pricing and feature set are intended to appeal to various international markets, not solely the U.S. 
• Marketing strategy: The use of an $8,000 price point in titles is a marketing tactic to generate interest in the upcoming compact truck and the general concept of budget-friendly pickups, but it does not reflect actual pricing.