Boston.com Covers Towing Ability + Trailering Features On The 2020 Silverado HD

Christian Wardlaw of the New York Daily News wrote a feature this past week on the coming 2020 Chevy Silverado HD, and the exciting changes made to the towing capacity and payload rating. Everyone on staff here at Chuck Hutton grinned a little bit in agreement when he playfully stated that many customers who buy a light-duty truck would never need to tow or haul anything nearly as hefty as their vehicles can actually handle. While it's true that many customers of today buy a half-ton truck because they want one instead of truly need one, the push to up the figures for ratings has always been a ferocious one!

The maximum towing and payload 'arms race' within the heavy-duty segment truly matters to many riggers, ranchers, and other hard-working truck owners, and that's why Chevy says it is working to increase capacity and payload rating for future models. The 2020's styling is very unique to this truck: only the roof panel is shared between the Silverado HD and 1500, and Christian was particularly drawn to the blunt and forceful appearance it has. There are bed steps just ahead of the rear wheels, situated there to make any fifth-wheel trailering tasks a bit easier.

Selection of higher trim levels provides the addition of extra chrome, and what appears to be LED forward lighting adds some good depth to the truck's appearance, along with the integrated air intake. You can check out photos here that provide a clear idea of what the upcoming model will look like, and be amazed at the raw and menacing stance the truck evokes, while poised to haul, tow, and conquer various obstacles that a day's work may throw in its path. As far as what will be placed under the hood, there are currently vague details about a standard direct-injected gasoline engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, as well as the option of the more muscular turbo-diesel V8, which cranks out 910 lb-ft of torque.

The staff on duty at Motor Trend claims in a feature found here about next year's Silverado that on board may be a small-block derived 6.6-liter gas engine, producing 401 horsepower, and 464 lb-ft of torque, with the towing rating hovering at around 18,200 pounds, and payload around 7,630 pounds. This particular blog does a great job of highlighting what Chevy truly wants as a brand: for our prized truck line to be easiest to live with: easy to load, to hook a trailer to, and to maneuver the trailer with. For the task of loading, there's the industry's only power-up-and-down tailgate, new bedsteps at the front of the bed, and a lift-in height that is now dropped by 0.9 inch. There's also an available 120-volt outlet, 12 tie-down rings, and the option to add nine very useful accessory tie-downs.

The Advanced Trailering System on board puts to use accessory cameras that are connected by coaxial cable to offer up to 15 camera views. Among these are the bull-view hovering in front of the hood, bed and bumper hitch views, shots of tires while you are making turns, and the revolutionary “transparent trailer” view that shows the entire scope of the rear-view as if the trailer was invisible. The system even has the ability to monitor the pressure and temperature of up to six tires, and is able to be programmed to compile the all-important pre-trip checklist!

Colorado ZR2's Off-Road Memphis Melee: Partnership with AEV Results in Pure Gold

Window Cliffs, Signal Point Trail, and the Montgomery Bell State Park North Trail are all spots that our customers at Chuck Hutton tell us are ideal for off-roading and hiking, and the Colorado ZR2 was already an awesome truck, but was just begging to be better. We knew that when Chevy finally took the liberty of collaborating with AEV, a vehicle that was now more off-road ready then ever before was going to roar to life. By being consistently tough and innovative, the Chevy namesake has gained more than a quarter of all midsize truck sales in just under four years of its marketplace existence. During years past, the Colorado line introduced an all-new V-6 gas engine with 8-speed transmission combo, as well as the ZR2 “segment of one” off-road model. To heftily protect the most important of undercarriage elements during the drive over jagged and rough terrain, the Bison now features five different skid plates that house the fuel tank, engine oil pan, transfer case, as well as front and rear locking differentials.

                                                                                                

Custom made by AEV, these plates are made up of very durable hot-stamped Boron steel. This is the main ingredient used in shielding the truck from various obstacles it can encounter during off-road jaunts. Offering a fully stocked suite of off-road equipment, the ability to maneuver like a truly midsize truck, and the driving range of a high-performing diesel engine, the ZR2 is on deck to provide excellent off-road capability in any scenario. Dampers patented by Multimatic DSSV as well as front and rear locking differentials are two other qualities that make this one of the best vehicles able to conquer the areas of Missouri that don't see much sedan traffic.

The experts at AEV have been closely following the Colorado since its blazing introduction, and full-on knew ahead of time that the first use of the hot-stamped Baron steel would be a groundbreaking truck model in many ways. Many drivers who already were singing praises about the Colorado will take to the rugged vibe and appearance that the front and rear bumpers on the ZR2 add, and there is a multitude of extra equipment here on deck to entice those with wanderlust. Cast-iron control arms and an Autotrac control case are two elements of the extra equipment that is integral in getting the ZR2 completely ready to rumble off-road, as well as the modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, front and rear tracks widened by 3.5 inches, and a factory suspension that touts a two-inch lift over a Colorado Z71.

Getting off of frequently traveled roads in a truck is a bonding time with yourself that can't be one-upped: kicking up dirt and traveling on Memphis-area trails to get peace of mind will be a pastime that you are going to look forward to all week! The 2.8-L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and is capable of 186 horsepower, as well as 369 lb-ft of torque. There is also the option to choose a crew or extended cab configuration, and to purchase an available third-party accessory snorkel for the ZR2 Bison directly from AEV. It acts as the perfect tool to help with air filtration during the handling of the roughest of trails you may embark on, ultimately providing a higher level of performance. We hope that you find time to see us here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis soon, and check out the features and off-road domination of the brand new truck that Cnet called ideal for “just you and your pals, living off the grid for days or even weeks at a time.”