The Tesla Cybertruck's long-awaited debut happened on Thursday, with the first 10 production trucks being delivered to company employees during a special event hosted by CEO Elon Musk. Tesla released a handful of specs alongside the deliveries, including two very important numbers: a maximum tow rating of 11,000 pounds and a max payload of 2,500 pounds. Let's see how that compares to the traditional, combustion-powered trucks from Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram.
The Cybertruck is available in three variants, according to its website: A single rear-drive motor, a dual motor, and a tri-motor "Cyberbeast." The company doesn't say which trim could accomplish the 11,000-pound tow capacity or 2,500-pound payload, so for now we'll have to assume every trim can accomplish those numbers unless Tesla specifies otherwise.
Pricing
The Tesla Cybertruck starts at an estimated $60,990. Upgrading to all-wheel drive takes that figure to $79,990. The range-topping Cyberbeast model is $99,990. Keep in mind, these figures are before any state or federal tax incentives. Here's how that compares to the ICE trucks in the segment:
| Model | Base Price | Difference Versus Cybertruck |
| Tesla Cybertruck | $60,990 | N/A |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $38,145 | $22.845 |
| Chevrolet Silverado HD | $46,395 | $14,595 |
| Ford F-150 | $36,580 | $24,410 |
| Ford Super Duty | $46,965 | $14,025 |
| Ram 1500 | $40,550 | $20,440 |
| Ram HD | $48,735 | $12,225 |
Payload
A pickup's payload refers to the maximum weight the vehicle can carry, including cargo in the bed and passengers. The Tesla Cybertruck's spec of 2,500 pounds puts it on top compared to the Silverado, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500. However, these trucks are also lighter than Tesla's electric offering. For this reason, we also include figures for heavy-duty trucks from Detroit in the table below. These models can carry thousands of pounds more than the Cybertruck can bear.
| Model | Payload | Difference Versus Cybertruck |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 2,500 lbs | N/A |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2,260 lbs | -240 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado HD | 7,234 lbs | 4,734 lbs |
| Ford F-150 | 2,455 lbs | -45 lbs |
| Ford Super Duty | 8,000 lbs | 5,500 lbs |
| Ram 1500 | 2,300 lbs | -200 lbs |
| Ram HD | 7,680 lbs | 5,180 lbs |
Towing Capacity
Gallery: Tesla Cybertruck
A pickup's towing capacity is simply the rating of the maximum weight a truck can pull, whether you're hauling a horse trailer, a boat, or a race car.
The Cybertruck's 11,000-pound towing rating puts it at a disadvantage against combustion-powered full-size and heavy-duty trucks, full stop. A 2024 Ram 3500 can pull over 26,000 pounds more than the Tesla, but even half-ton combustion trucks out-tow the edgy electric pickup.
| Model | Towing Capacity | Difference Versus Cybertruck |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 11,000 lbs | N/A |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 13,300 lbs | 2,300 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado HD | 20,000 lbs | 9,000 lbs |
| Ford F-150 | 13,500 lbs | 2,500 lbs |
| Ford Super Duty | 30,000 lbs | 19,000 lbs |
| Ram 1500 | 11,580 lbs | 580 lbs |
| Ram HD | 37,090 lbs | 26,090 lbs |
Cybertruck's Electric Competition:
Source: Tesla Cybertruck Owners Club