The all-new 2020 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty is here with some very impressive specifications. There is an all-new 6.6L gasoline V8 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and much more. The gloves come off in the fight for new HD truck supremacy. Chevrolet announces that the new Silverado 3500 dually 2WD with the turbo-diesel V8 gets a maximum trailer weight rating of 35,500 lbs. Yep, that is 400 lbs more than the recently announced new 2019 Ram HD trucks. It is 500 lbs more than the current 2019 Ford Super Duty F-450 truck.
Chevy’s new maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for truck and trailer is a previously unheard of 43,500 lbs.
6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8
How does the new Silverado accomplish this huge 52% increase in towing capability from where it was before? The new truck is longer, wider, and taller than ever before. The wheelbase has been stretched by 5.2 inches. The 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 is largely a carryover with 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s mated to an all-new 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. Chassis updates include: an upgraded and fully boxed ladder-frame, updated suspension, new heavier axles with a larger 12-inch differential ring gear for the 3500 HD diesel trucks. The new diesels also get a larger 28-inch diameter variable speed fan to help with the cooling under load.
6.6L Gas V8
Let’s not forget the all-new 6.6L gasoline V8 that replaces the outgoing 6.0-liter Vortec V8. The new engine uses a cast-iron engine block, aluminum heads, direct injection, and a 10.8-to-1 compression ratio to deliver a rating of 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The new engine will be mated to a 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2020 Silverado HD borrows most of the features and technologies that made their debut just a couple of weeks ago on the 2020 GMC Sierra HD. There is one exception. Sierra HD remains the only way you can get the Multi-pro folding tailgate. Instead, the new Silverado HD gets the power down and power up tailgate option, a feature first available on the 2019 Silverado 1500.
The new Silverado HD is available with 15-camera views, including the transparent trailer feature. Remote trailer control feature and the towing checklist are available. The heads up display joins the Chevy HD lineup as well.
If you are looking for four-wheel-drive capability, the 2020 heavy duties come equipped with an Autotrac active two-speed transfer case. In “4 Auto” mode, it allows the truck to shift between 2WD and 4WD automatically based on road conditions.
Heavy duty trucks are all about utility, and this new truck offers a new longer 6-foot 9-inch standard bed (3.4 inches longer than before) It provides 69.6 cu-ft of maximum cargo volume. The long-bed still measures at 8-feet, but the wider side walls help increase the maximum volume to 83.5 cu-ft.
The 2020 HD will be offered in five trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. All models have unique trim to differentiate one from the other.
Pricing for the new trucks is not yet available, but Chevrolet says these heavy duties will go on sale in late summer of 2019.
Please come back for a detailed look at the 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD specifications. In the meantime, here is the latest on the 2500 HD truck.
