2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Flat Bed $20,990

Highly capable, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is an excellent choice among heavy-duty pickup trucks. Choosing among the mainstays in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment can be tough, but in a good way. They are all solid choices and probably all have quite a bit more capability than you'll likely ever need. As such, your decision may be heavily influenced by your styling preference or brand loyalty. For those who fly the bowtie flag, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD neatly splits the difference between the 1500 light-duty pickup and the 3500HD ultra-heavy-duty workhorse (which can be had in a dual-rear-wheel configuration). Those considering the Chevy 2500HD have plenty of variety as far as powertrains and options go. Whether you want a basic, utilitarian work truck or a plush, six-passenger tow vehicle for your luxury RV or horse trailer, there's a rig for your needs here. Indeed, with a maximum towing capacity approaching 18,000 pounds, this Silverado should be able to handle most tasks with ease. One other interesting aspect about the Silverado 2500HD is its option to use either traditional gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) to power its 6.0-liter V8. Given America's increasing natural gas production, this engine option is perhaps even more compelling this year. But this flexibility comes at a cost beyond the considerable price of this option. You see, the natural gas tank is mounted in the bed, using up about as much space as a large cross-bed toolbox and thus reducing payload capacity. The Work Truck or WT trim is equipped exactly as its name implies. Rather than carpeting, it has a rubber floor covering, dark vinyl upholstery, a 40/20/40-split front bench with a fold-down center armrest, 17-inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel and, depending on the cab style, a four- or six-speaker AM/FM stereo.