March 26, 2019 | Volume 15 Issue 12 |
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The High Country is one of five trim levels for the all-new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD.
If your need for hauling big stuff has gotten even bigger, Chevy has answered your call. The all-new 2020 Silverado HD can "tow, tow, tow your boat" and whole lot more, since its max towing capability has been increased a whopping 52 percent to an available 35,500 lb. The HD is Chevy's third all-new Silverado in just 18 months, each designed for a different customer.
Built at the Flint Assembly plant in Michigan, the all-new 2020 Silverado HD is longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor with a wheelbase that's been stretched 5.2 in. on Crew Cab models and is scaled for HD customers. The Silverado HD will be available in five distinct trim levels -- Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country -- and available across 22 cab, bed, chassis, and driveline configurations.
Whew! That's a lot of changes.
"We set out to make the best HD trucks on the market, bar none," says Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD. "We increased towing capabilities across the line, not just for dually buyers. We added class-leading towing technologies, such as 15 available camera views, to make trailering more convenient, whether pulling a large cargo trailer or fifth-wheel camper. And we made a host of changes to make tasks easier."
HD customers can choose between two new powertrains. The standard engine is a new 6.6L V-8 gas with direct injection making 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevy says that's an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 22 percent increase in peak torque, respectively, resulting in 18 percent more towing capability.
Or you can pick the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8 engine making 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque coupled with an all-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. In addition, Chevy says every component between the transmission and the wheels has been upgraded to enable the available 52 percent increase in max towing capability, which is now up to 35,500 lb on Regular Cab, two-wheel drive, DRW, diesel models.
The 2020 Silverado HD increases towing capability across the lineup compared to 2019. This greater capability is driven by chassis and suspension enhancements and new propulsion combinations that work seamlessly to offer confident performance with great durability, particularly when towing. An enhanced version of the Silverado HD's sturdy, proven ladder-frame design, with boxed rails that improve strength and contribute to a smooth ride, is the foundation for the new truck. It's a heavier-duty frame compared to the current model, designed to handle the truck's higher loads, including a higher gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCWR) of up to 43,500 lb on properly equipped trucks.
To handle the increased towing capability, the upgraded driveline includes new, larger, more robust front and rear axles, a standard 11.5-in. ring gear on 2500HD models, and a massive 12-in. ring gear on 3500HD diesel models. Also, 30 percent larger-diameter prop shafts provide greater strength with the high torque output of the new 6.6L gas engine and the Duramax Turbo-Diesel. Helping cool the Duramax engine is a massive 28-in.-diameter fan with variable fan speed -- 2.5 in. larger than the current fan.
Overall 2020 Silverado HD highlights include:
Tow with confidence
Because more than 90 percent of heavy-duty truck owners use their truck for trailering, safety, confidence, and visibility are top concerns when towing. The 2020 Silverado HD delivers with an Advanced Trailering System designed to make every aspect of towing easier and more convenient.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Work Truck.
The 2020 Silverado HD offers up to 15 unique camera views, including HD Surround Vision, Bed View, an industry-first transparent trailer view, and an accessory camera. The transparent trailer view helps with visibility through the trailer as if the trailer was not there, providing added confidence when towing. The transparent trailer helps with navigating parking lots, merging into traffic, or when making tight turns. It uses two cameras -- one tailgate-mounted camera and an available accessory camera (installation required) mounted on the rear of the trailer -- to provide a wide display that helps the driver to virtually see through and alongside the trailer.
Transparent trailer view is one of 15 camera views that are part of the 2020 Silverado HD Advanced Trailering System. It optimizes the driver's view around the truck and compatible trailers to provide added confidence when towing.
Other towing technologies include an in-vehicle Trailering App complete with trailer light test, trailer electrical diagnostics, trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring, maintenance reminders, and a pre-departure checklist. Many of the in-vehicle Trailering App's functions, including trailer profile creation and trailer light test, are also available with the myChevrolet mobile app, a feature that offers convenience when the owner is outside the truck or trailer.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ.
The 2020 Silverado HD also includes a VIN-specific Trailering Information Label, something Chevy says no competitor has, that clearly lists the truck's specific trailering metrics including curb weight, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combined weight rating (GCWR), max payload, max tongue weight, gross axle weight rating (GAWR), and fifth-wheel and gooseneck ratings.
Additional available technologies and hardware designed to enhance trailering include:
A diesel after-run feature specifically for use following a demanding towing situation is an additional new technology for the Duramax engine. The after-run allows the engine to keep running for up to 15 minutes to allow it to cool down using the fan and circulating coolant. If the driver puts the truck in park when an after-run situation is needed, an alert will appear on the information cluster directing the driver to keep the engine running for cool down. Should the customer ignore the message and exit the vehicle, the truck will restart on its own via remote start mode for cool-down. At that point, the customer can walk away and the truck will turn itself off when the engine reaches an acceptable temperature.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT.
For customers powering other equipment with their trucks on the job site, an all-new, factory-integrated engine-driven Power Take Off (PTO) is available and eliminates the need for an aftermarket unit. Exclusively offered with the Allison 10-speed transmission on select diesel models, it's the first fully integrated PTO system of its kind in the HD truck segment, with the PTO's drive gear operated via chain to direct engine power. And because it is engine-driven rather than turbine-driven, owners can use the PTO while the vehicle is idling. A button inside the cab enables the PTO, and a mode selector allows adjustment of load and torque output.
A few more heavy-duty details
Chevy designers and engineers examined every detail of how heavy-duty customers use their trucks and developed the all-new Silverado HD with new, thoughtful, and more intuitive features that make day-to-day work and interaction with the truck easier and more convenient. They even made sure the outer door skins were smooth for easier business signage application.
Highlights include:
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Custom. [Editor's note: Sweet!]
With five choices, even choosing is tough
Longer, wider, and taller, the 2020 Silverado HD is larger in virtually every measure compared to the current HD. From a design standpoint, the 2020 Silverado HD has the most differentiation from light duty ever. Which one would you choose?
In addition to the Silverado HD's larger dimensions and distinctive trim personalities, 2500 and 3500 SRW models are available with active aero shutters for improved efficiency and a taller, more dominant hood line. Diesel models also have a larger, more prominent hood scoop, contributing to a more robust cooling system for the increased towing demands.
Inside, the Silverado HD offers a roomier, spacious, work-focused cabin with class-leading front head- and legroom, plus nearly 3 in. of additional rear-leg room in Crew Cab models while offering innovative storage options.
A higher seating position complements the truck's taller profile to offer a confident view from behind the wheel with an available, head-up display, something that Chevy says the competition does not offer.
Pricing has yet to be released for the 2020 HD (think $37,500 to $58,800 base range, and $65,000 to $75,000+ loaded). You can see and sign up for more details on the Chevrolet site here.
Source: Chevrolet
Published March 2019