2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500/3500 – Albany, NY

Apart from the obvious increase in capability (towing, horsepower, torque, payload, etc.), there are a few other things that you need to learn about heavy duty trucks. First and foremost, it’s important to understand that the 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD falls into the Class 2 segment, whereas the 2017 Chevy Silverado 3500HD falls into the Class 3 segment.

A Brief Overview of Truck Classes

What does the government’s classification of truck size have to do with the 2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500/3500 models? Everything, actually.

The US DOT ranks trucks by GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) from class 1 to class 8 — smallest to largest. The GVWR refers to the maximum operating weight a truck is allowed to carry while driving, which includes the truck itself, regardless of what aftermarket parts you’ve thrown on to beef up its capability. Class 1 trucks weight 6,000 pounds or less. This designation represents trucks like the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado, which is sitting at 5,400 pounds. Class 2 trucks weigh between 6,001 to 10,000 pounds, and consist of your typical full size trucks like the 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500. But, there is a Class 2B that is between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds, and that's the category the 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD falls into. Class 3 trucks weigh between 10,001 to 14,000 pounds and consist of your larger HD models like the 2017 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD.

Why Does This Matter?

Why does this matter? It’s not like you’ll be getting pulled over at a weigh station on the highway, or are required to have a CDL in order to operate these vehicles, since neither the Silverado 2500 or 3500 exceed the CDL’s minimum required GVWR of 26,000 pounds.

It matters because as you go up in truck weight, you get more benefits, but also more drawbacks. Obviously, the fuel economy is going decrease with heavier vehicles, and you won’t be able to accelerate as quickly. On the bright side, you’ll be able to carry more (payload) and haul more in a trailer behind you (towing capacity). The availability of diesel engines also increases, since diesel is often able to balance out fuel economy and capability more so than a gas-powered engine.

Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 Additional Features

You’ll also find features on Chevy’s HD trucks that are not available on full size ones, like a trailering camera system to make lining up your trailer hitch to your trailer easier. A fifth-wheel trailer hitch can even be installed in the bed by the dealer to provide a stronger and more stable connection for big trailers.

If a diesel engine is required or just preferred, then the available Diesel Exhaust Brake system will help reduce the amount of conventional braking needed when towing a heavy load or traveling downhill by choking up on the exhaust to reduce engine output. Not only does this help with wear and tear on your brakes, but it will also make slowing down and stopping safer for you and everyone else around you.

Another additional feature is Trailer Sway Control, which can be found on the Silverado 1500 as well. This system is able to detect when your trailer is swaying and apply the truck’s brakes and trailer brakes (if the available Trailer Brake controller is equipped, which is not available on the 1500 model) in order to bring it back in line.

2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

Before we jump into the specs, it’s important to note the 2017 Silverado 2500HD is a vehicle that has immense hauling and towing capabilities, solid build quality, and a surprisingly refined and quiet ride quality for such a large truck. These three facts alone make it a winner in the world of Heavy Duty trucks, and the specs back that up.

Engines

The new Silverado 2500HD offers two engine options: a 6.0-liter V8 Vortec as the standard choice, and a Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 as an available option. Both of which carry over from last year.

The Vortec 6.0-liter V8 engine produces 360 horsepower/380 lb.-ft. of torque, whereas the diesel engine generates 445 horsepower and an earth-shattering 910 lb.-ft. of torque.

Capability

These two engines quite obviously offer different capabilities for the Silverado 2500. The Vortec 6.0-liter V8 provides the Silverado 2500HD with 14,800 pounds of max towing capacity, while the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 gives it the ability to tow up to 18,100 pounds max. Properly equipped, the maximum payload of this truck is 3,534 pounds.

2017 Chevy Silverado 3500HD

Both the 2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500/3500 share the same two engines: the Vortec 6.0-liter V8, and the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8. However, thanks to the increase in GVWR, the 3500 model is effectively able to tow more than the 2500 model.

Capability

With the standard Vortec 6.0-liter V8 equipped, the Silverado 3500HD can tow up to 14,600 pounds. When equipped with the available Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8, it can tow a massive 23,300 pounds. With the right equipment, the maximum payload of the 3500HD comes in at 7,153 pounds.

A Final Note On Fuel Economy

Typically, fuel efficiency isn’t a concern for those who are looking for a 2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500/3500 truck. If you are concerned about fuel efficiency, then it’s a good sign that these trucks aren’t for you. If you’re more focused on what your Chevy HD truck can tow and carry, then that’s a good indicator that these trucks are most-certainly for you.

Fuel efficiency is abysmal for all HD trucks, whether they come from Chevy, Ford, or Ram. More often than not, manufacturers won’t even list fuel economy figures on their websites since they know consumers shopping for one of these trucks are more concerned about the capability than anything else.