In case you were wondering, the “HD” stands for “Heavy Duty,” not “High Definition.” In a high tech world dominated by high definition televisions, monitors and smartphones, it is an easy connection to make. But in the world of heavy-duty trucks, the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD is the heaviest of heavy hitters.
What exactly makes the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD such a heavy duty truck? Is it the incredible towing power? Is it the immense cargo space in the truck bed? Is it an extremely powerful engine? Yes, to all of the above.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado HD comes in two varieties: the 2500 HD and the 3500 HD. While similar, the two do have a few differences. They both have multiple configurations, depending on what kind of cab and what kind of cargo bed your driving needs mandate. The major differences come in the price tag and the payload capacity. So, if you are looking to save a few bucks and don’t need quite the hauling capacity, the 2500 HD is a good fit. If you need that extra back strength and don’t mind shelling out a few more dollars, the 3500 HD is worth the extra expenditure.
Both of these pickup trucks have pretty impressive engines. The base model engine is a 6.0-liter variable valve timing V-8 engine that gets 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The variable valve engine ensures that the engine handles your towing and hauling with particular attention to power and fuel efficiency. So, not only do you get a smooth ride when towing, but you also get a best in class 15 miles per gallon average. That is a pretty impressive number for a pickup truck the size of a Silverado HD.
However, if you need even more muscle under the hood, an available 6.6-liter V-8 diesel engine will get you 445 horsepower and a whopping 910 lb-ft of torque. These improved numbers can help you get any extra weight you are carrying up to a safe speed with ease and efficiency. Being a diesel engine, it also naturally gets better gas mileage than a gasoline engine. This diesel will allow another best in class 19 miles per gallon average. Both the gasoline engine and the diesel engine edge out their Ford and Dodge counterparts in fuel efficiency.
However, the real appeal of a truck this size is what it can do for you on a job site or weekend excursion. The strength of a pickup truck like the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD is measured in how much it can tow or haul. If you use your truck for your job, such as contracting or anything where you have to move heavy materials from one place to another, you are going to need as much towing and hauling capacity as your truck will allow.
Some pickup truck drivers use their trucks for weekend getaways. The 2019 Chevy Silverado HD can towboat and horse trailers with ease, even with substantial luggage or other gear in the cargo bed. If you are one who frequents the lake or cabin on the weekend and needs to get your RV’s, boats, and jet skis from home to the home away from home, the 2019 Chevy Silverado has more than enough power to get it all there.
Depending on the configuration you opt for, whether it be the short bed or long bed, the cargo bed of the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD will be up to 97.7 inches long. That is slightly more than eight feet. And that number is not an accident. If you are one who hauls a lot of lumber or other building materials, you will know that an 8-foot two-by-four will fit nice and snugly in the bed of this truck without having to keep the tailgate lowered and tie your building materials down. This 97” bed allows for a maximum cargo volume of 76.3 cubic feet. When cubic feet is measured in a sport utility vehicle or sedan, it is measured to include the roof of the SUV or sedan’s trunk. However, in a pickup truck, the sky is the literal limit. The cubic feet measurement only goes up to the lip of the cargo bed. You can theoretically pile as much stuff up as high as you can, albeit keeping visibility and safety in mind.
Even though you could pile your 2019 Chevy Silverado HD’s truck bed to a cartoonish height, it does, unfortunately, have a payload limit. This is one of the two major differences in the 2500 HD and 3500 HD. The max payload for the 2500 HD is 3,233 pounds. That is still an impressive number, but not nearly as impressive as the 5,761 pounds the 3500 HD can haul. If you spend a lot of time working out of your pickup trucks bed, and you need as much room and strength as possible, the 3500 HD long bed is the right choice for you.
The towing numbers for the 2019 Chevy Silverado are very similar to their Ford and Dodge counterparts. The 2500 HD and the RAM 2500 both max out at 14,500, but well behind the Ford F-250’s 18,000 pounds. There is very little distinction between the 3500 HD, the RAM 3500 and the Ford F-350, with Dodge and Ford maxing out at 21,400 and the 3500 HD slightly below at an even 20,000 pounds. Of course, those figures are just for conventional towing. If you have a fifth wheel trailer, which adds stability and support between the truck and trailer, those numbers go up significantly on all the pickup trucks mentioned.
The other major difference in these two siblings is the MSRP. The 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD starts out at $34,400, while the 3500 HD starts out at $40,100. Of course, these are just the starting prices. When you start factoring in trim levels, rebates, packages, configurations, incentives, added features and in-house financing, the actual price will start fluctuating like a tachometer in a rally car race.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado HD – Which One?
The good news is that both the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD and the 3500 HD are highly customizable. There are three cab configurations and two-bed lengths available. Combine that with the trim levels and packages, and you could easily turn the Silverado HD into a comfortable and powerful work truck. However, we suggest you consult with the sales staff at your local Chevrolet dealership to get the best possible advice on just how to best outfit this pickup truck. Your driving needs are specific to you, and you will need to know exactly what each configuration can bring you.
These are just a few of the highlights offered by the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD. As with pretty much all modern pickup trucks, Chevy has included many safety features and creature comforts to make the Silverado HD appealing to the working man and the family man alike. The cab can be plenty spacious and filled with technological advancements, such as Wi-Fi, USB ports and wireless charging pads. It can also be a bare-boned work truck with nothing more than you absolutely need. Either way, the 2019 Chevy Silverado HD is a fine heavy-duty pickup truck and worth looking into, whether it be for work or play.
