The 3500HD in the Silverado range of Trucks usually symbolizes High Towing and Hauling capabilities. The 2020 version on sale is no different. Towing Capacity is a massive 23,300lbs from the Duramax Turbo V8 motor which makes it one of the best in class.
The 6.6L V8 Turbo Duramax Diesel motor uses cast Iron cylinder block which helps it deal with heat much better than its aluminum built counterparts. It produces a massive 445HP and a massive 910lbs-ft of Torque which even though it isn’t segment-leading but is very much close to those levels.
Models
|
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD WT regular cab
|
GMC Sierra 3500 HD regular cab
|
Ford F-350 SuperDuty XL regular cab
|
RAM 3500 Tradesman regular cab
|
MSRP
|
$36,995
|
$35,900
|
$34,155
|
$33,645
|
Engine
|
6.6L V8
|
6.6L V8
|
6.7L V8
|
6.7L I6
|
Transmission
|
6 Speed automatic
|
6 Speed automatic
|
6 Speed automatic
|
6 Speed automatic
|
Horsepower
|
445hp @ 2800rpm
|
445hp @ 2800rpm
|
450hp @ 2800rpm
|
385hp @ 2800rpm
|
Torque
|
910lbs-ft @ 1600rpm
|
910lbs-ft @ 1600rpm
|
935lbs-ft @ 1800rpm
|
930lbs-ft @ 1700rpm
|
The engineers at Chevrolet chose Allison, the brand which makes transmissions for military tanks to make the transmission for the Silverado 3500HD diesel to handle the gigantic torque generated by the diesel motor. This transmission has been extensively tried and tested over time and is a potent transmission.
Acceleration
The 6.6L V8 Motor is no Slouch when it comes to performance. The tried and tested Motor is the fastest to 60 MPH and to the Quarter Mile as well. This is even astounding considering the fact that this engine has not seen much changes from its previous iteration and still uses a cast-iron block.
Which is better to mitigate heat and aid in the heavy-duty operation of the motor without offering much strain to the other components.
Models
|
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck regular cab
|
GMC Sierra 3500 HD Regular cab
|
Ford F-350 SuperDuty XL Regular cab
|
RAM 3500 Tradesman regular cab
|
0-60 MPH
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
Quarter mile
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
Engine
|
6.6L V8
|
6.6L V8
|
6.7L V8
|
6.7L I6
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
7145
|
7145
|
6710
|
NA
|
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Ride and Handling
The Silverado 3500HD was the best driving Heavy Duty truck in its class and the 2020 version continues to be the same. No Pickup Truck in this segment can claim to glide over potholes or sail effortlessly through smooth surfaces and the Chevy is no different either. The Silverado, however, manages to provide a more compliant ride over smooth surfaces with great stability at high speed.
It’s over Potholes, undulations and rough surfaces where the Chevy struggles a bit but is still ahead of the competition in overall comfort. The cabin is well insulated from the outside and very less road and tire noise manage to creep inside the cabin. The Electrically Assisted Power Steering is Light at low speeds and weighs up well at high speeds hence offering good high-speed stability.
Braking
The 2020 Silverado on sale in the US comes with some good equipment on offer. While no official figures are available to us as of now on the 60-0 distances we expect them to be on par with the rest of the segment rivals of the Chevy.
Model
|
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck regular cab
|
GMC Sierra 3500 HD regular cab
|
Ford F-350 SuperDuty XL regular cab
|
RAM 3500 Tradesman regular cab
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
13.8
|
13.8
|
14.3
|
14.2
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
14.7
|
14.1
|
14.3
|
14.2
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
7145
|
7145
|
6710
|
NA
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
The Corrosion-resistant Duralife Brake Rotors have Ferritic Nitrocarburizing (FNC) technology in them to help resist rust and increase rotor life. These translate to good real-world braking performance and better heat dissipation during hard braking.
Towing Capacity
The Silverado offers one of the best towing capacities in the segment. Its potent 6.6L turbo diesel motor ensures hauling heavy loads over long distances is effortless and easy. There is very little drop in power and the refined motor makes pulling the vehicle through distances a relatively easy task.
Model
|
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck regular cab
|
GMC Sierra 3500 HD regular cab
|
Ford F-350 SuperDuty XL regular cab
|
RAM 3500 Tradesman regular cab
|
Towing Capacity (lbs.)
|
14,500
|
14,500
|
15,000
|
13,984
|