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Tow big or go home: All-new Chevy Silverado HD

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:

• New, more powerful 6.6L V-8 gas engine with direct injection for greater performance and stronger trailering capability with 22 percent more torque and up to 18 percent more towing compared to the previous 6.0L gas engine.
• All-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission is matched with the available Duramax 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel engine to increase max towing on properly equipped models.
• Autotrac active two-speed transfer case on 4x4 models electronically controls "4 Auto" mode, allowing the truck to seamlessly shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive based on road conditions.
• Advanced Trailering System technologies and new transparent trailer view: The in-vehicle trailering system features an available total of 15 available camera views (requires an installed accessory camera), such as HD Surround Vision and other unique views. Also features increased integration with the myChevrolet mobile app.
• HD-exclusive sculpted exterior design features the most differentiation from the Silverado 1500 ever -- the roof is the only shared sheetmetal!
• Heavy-duty details designed to make work easier and more intuitive, including features such as an easy-access engine block heater outlet, easy-to-fill diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank with opening inside the fuel door, a more integrated snow-plow prep package, and new, advanced trailering mirrors with available spot lamps and more.
• BedStep feature and larger CornerSteps makes it easier to load or reach items in the cargo box, which is designed to hold a pair of size 12 boots and up to 500 lb.
• Larger cab enables more spacious interiors, with Crew Cab models adding about 3 in. in overall length.

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:

• Auto Park Brake Assist automatically initiates the electronic parking brake to help hold the truck's position and vehicle creep when hitching a trailer.
• All-new Park Grade Hold Assist enhances hill hold by using braking effort at all four wheels to help keep the truck in place for an extended length of time.
• An enhanced integrated trailer brake controller works with the trailer profile in the Advanced Trailering System to recall a specified trailer's most recent gain setting.
• An enhanced Tow/Haul mode remains engaged on the next key-on cycle for up to four hours and includes a reminder that the feature is engaged.
• Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.
• Trailer Sway Control and Proactive Rollover Avoidance.
• Auto Grade Braking and Diesel Exhaust Braking.
• Enhanced Digital Variable Steering Assist that dynamically optimizes power steering according to driving scenarios and enables features like road-pull compensation.

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:

• Relocated engine-block heater. Designers moved the engine-block heater outlet to a more convenient, external location on the driver's side of the truck, integrated into the front bumper, eliminating the need for cords hanging out of the grille or to open the hood for plug-in. The block heater is standard with diesel models and available with the new 6.6L gas engine.
• More-intuitive snow-plow package. The front end of the truck is designed for easy removal of the air dam and skid plate for easier and more intuitive mounting of the plow hardware. The design even eliminates the need to drill additional holes in the front bumper. And when the plow blade is removed, the Silverado HD returns to form by maintaining a smooth, integrated appearance without visible hardware.
• Diesel DEF tank/filler enhancements. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank is relocated farther back on the Silverado HD's frame and out of sight from the exterior, and the inlet is located next to the fuel filler for more convenient filling. An electronic gauge readout for the DEF fluid level is added to the Driver Infotainment Center of diesel-equipped models.
• Redesigned trailering mirrors with improved perimeter lighting. New, larger, and more functional door-mounted trailering mirrors are standard on all 2500HD and 3500HD models. The mirrors extend and retract using a four-bar-link system that makes for smoother operation, whether done with power or manually. The surface area of the mirrors is larger, for a greater field of view compared to the current model, and an available power extension feature makes it easier to adjust the view from the driving position. New for 2020 is the forward-facing spot lamp on each mirror that shines light at about a 45-degree angle, providing illumination on the job site or camp site. There also are side-view cameras mounted within the mirror housings, and when equipped, mirror-mounted puddle lamps and two rearward-facing spot lamps are also available.

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?

• Work Truck: Distinguished with a unique black "CHEVROLET" flow-through grille bar. Seventeen-in. wheels are standard on 2500HD and 3500HD with dual rear wheels (DRW); 18-in. wheels are standard on 3500HD with single rear wheels (SRW).
• Custom: New to the Silverado HD lineup and exclusive on 2500HD, the Custom trim offers standard 20-in. wheels and body-color trim details for a more contemporary design expression.
• LT: Featuring chrome-trimmed vertical grille elements and a bright grille bar with the flow-through "CHEVROLET" name. 2500HD models feature 17-in. aluminum wheels, 3500HD SRW models feature 18-in. aluminum wheels, and 3500HD DRW models feature 17-in. steel wheels.
• LTZ: Takes bright trim to the next level, including a bright grille surround with the flow-through "CHEVROLET" bar and chrome-accented grille inserts. It also features LED reflector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillamps. 2500HD and 3500HD SRW models feature standard 18-in. aluminum wheels with 20-in. wheels available. 3500HD DRW has standard 17-in. steel wheels and 17-in. polished forged-aluminum wheels are available.
• High Country: The most dramatic and expressive trim in the lineup, with a distinctive fascia featuring a grille with the Chevy bowtie and two-tone metallic grille trim, and LED lighting. 2500HD and 3500HD SRW models feature 20-in. polished aluminum wheels, and the 3500HD DRW features 17-in. polished forged-aluminum wheels.

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

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