Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Chevy’s major-league hauler is fit for just about anything you need to tow or carry
BY MALCOLM GUNN WWW.WHEELBASEMEDIA.COM F or many pickup buyers, the 1500 series Chevrolet Silverado comes with sufficient capacity and thrust. But when heavy hauling is a prerequisite, a brawny truck such as the Silverado HD can take care of business, both literally and figuratively.
Chevrolet’s 2500- and 3500-series HD trucks are commonly employed as hardworking commercial rigs. That’s why the stuff they tote is called “payload,” since many owners count on these vehicles for their livelihoods.
The latest version of the Silverado HD (the GMC Sierra HD is closely related) competes in a tight-knit class of extra-capable pickups where outsiders — specifically Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan — dare not tread.
For 2020, the Silverado is mostly new from the ground up. Evidence of that is at the front end, where a squarejawed slab of grille tells the world that this truck is no dilettante. Overall, the bodies of all versions — regular cab, extended cab and Crew Cabs — have been lengthened, widened and made taller. The distance between the front and rear wheels for the Crew Cabs has increased by more than five inches, allowing for a corresponding gain in rearseat passenger space.
The standard pickup bed is now 82 inches, an increase of about 3.5 inches, while the long bed is up about half an inch to 98 inches. For 2020, both are specific to the HD models. Previously, they were shared with the Silverado 1500.
The ladder-type frame has been made stouter for 2020, contributing to the added cargo and trailering capacities that are built into these trucks.
As with their light-duty relations, the Silverado HD interiors can be outfitted to resemble those of luxury cars, but on a much larger scale, of course. Along with supportive seats, up-level trim and display screens with the latest Android and Apple CarPlay software, buyers get a cavernous stowage console, dual glove boxes and assorted front and rear cubbies.
The revised drivetrain lineup for 2020 begins with a new 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. That’s up from the previous 6.0-liter V-8’s 360/380 numbers. The 6.6 gets a six-speed automatic transmission.
The optional 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel carries over from 2019. It puts out 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet and uses a 10-speed Allison-brand automatic transmission.
Naturally, four-wheeldrive is available with both powerplants.
Unique to the Duramax is an “after-run” system that will automatically keep the radiator fan running for up to 15 minutes to cool things down.
For maximum workload capability — Chevrolet says more than 90 percent of HD owners use their rigs for towing — the turbo-diesel is the ideal choice. With it, max trailer weight for 3500-series pickups with four (dualie) rear wheels is 35,500 pounds. For the 2500, the maximum is just over half at 18,500 pounds.
Expect to pay about $10,000 extra for the Duramax option over and above the base gasolineengine Silverado 2500 HD that rings in at $35,700 including destination fees.
That buys a regular-cab WT (Work Truck), which is one of five HD models. It arrives as a fairly blank slate, but can be equipped with a plethora of add-ons to suit the purpose.
From that point, the sky’s the limit, culminating in the $65,300 HD 3500 High Country Crew Cab that comes with plenty of feel-good luxury items.
Regardless of model, you’ll pay extra for a dynamic safety tech package with forward collision alert, emergency braking and lane-departure warning. Snowplow prep/ camper, fifth-wheel and Z71 off-road packages can also be had, as well as a rear-camera mirror and bed-view camera (part of a technology package).
The Silverado HD is not for every trucker. Frankly, the Silverado 1500 is more than enough truck for most people. But for individuals requiring big-time towing and carrying capacities for work or pleasure, it’s a more-thancapable workmate.