CHICAGO — PickupTrucks.com recently held a competition to evaluate the performances nine heavy-duty trucks.

The Heavy-Duty Shootout named winners in three different categories, and taking this year's awards were the 2011 Ford F-250 in the Three-Quarter-Ton Gas segment; the 2011 Silverado 2500HD in the Three-Quarter-Ton Diesel segment; and the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD in the One-Ton Diesel segment.

"Truck buyers crave data and expect hard numbers on their trucks," shared PickupTrucks.com founder Mike Levine. "Numbers are even more important when reviewing the heavy-duty pickups. This is a segment where horsepower, torque and tow ratings count most with buyers because these trucks are purchased for full-time commercial work and hauling applications, not just personal style. Fuel economy is also a bigger consideration than ever."

Among the test's were: loaded and unloaded quarter mile drag runs; loaded 7-percent hill climbs and loaded 16-percent hill climbs; loaded and unloaded brake tests; as well as tests for fuel economy and ride and handling.

The last time PickupTrucks.com did this test was 2007 and the segment has seen "tremendous change" since then, according to officials.

Economic erosion led to a scenario where the "bottom fell out of the truck market." Also, there has been further tightening in diesel emissions regulations. Moreover, officials noted that "all three heavy-duty truck manufacturers have made significant improvements to their pickups, all of which were last updated in 2007."

Considering these changes, PickupTrucks.com found that it was best to roll out a new Heavy-Duty Shootout, citing the upgrades Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have made to their trucks.

"We've seen a huge rebound in the sale of pickups," Levine noted. "These new Heavy-Duty trucks will definitely impact the market and our Shootout, which is the most comprehensive testing of its kind, will tell consumers which is the best to buy."

The complete list of vehicles tested is as follows:

Three-Quarter-Ton Gasoline SRW
2011 Ford F-250 6.2L 4×4 crew cab XLT 4.30 rear axle
2010 Ram 2500 TRX4 Off-Road Crew Cab 4×4 5.7L Hemi V8 4.10 rear axle
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L Vortec Z71 LT 4×4 crew cab 4.10 rear axle

Three-Quarter-Ton Diesel SRW
2011 Ford F-250 6.7L 4×4 crew cab Lariat 3.55 rear axle
2010 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel 3.73 rear axle
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L Duramax Z71 LTZ 4×4 crew cab 3.73 rear axle

One-Ton DRW
2011 Ford F-350 6.7L 4×4 crew cab King Ranch 3.73 rear axle DRW
2010 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab 4×4 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel ATX 3.73 rear axle
2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 6.6L Duramax 4×4 crew cab 3.73 rear axle DRW