Let’s Check Out the Powerful 2024 Silverado HD Models

There’s no denying that we here in Alabama love our trucks. We love trucks of all shapes and sizes and how they meet a wide range of needs, which is why it’s so satisfying that the auto industry provides us with so many powerful models to choose from. Something like the Chevy Colorado or Silverado 1500 is great for getting around the city, handling work throughout the week, and getting the most from your weekend, but if you need to tackle some serious jobs and tow tremendous loads, then the Silverado HD models are the ones you should be looking at.

As you search for the perfect Chevy Silverado for sale near Bessemer, we here at Edwards Chevrolet Downtown in Birmingham are itching to help you. The Silverado HD series is exceptional, providing massive towing and payload potential that surpasses even the Silverado 1500 in capability. Looking at the 2024 Silverado HD series, we can see that Chevy keeps making their best trucks even better with more options and smarter features than ever before. Let’s review what’s on the slate for the 2024 model year and get a sense of the truck that will be ideal for you.

A Powerful Upgrade: The Silverado 2500 HD

We often view the Silverado 2500 HD as a direct upgrade in terms of power and capability to the standard Silverado 1500, one of the most popular trucks on the road. To get a sense of what we’re talking about, let’s look at the Silverado 1500 for a moment: it has four engines on offer, including an available 6.2L V8 engine that offers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, as well as an available Duramax Turbo-Diesel with 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado 1500 can get up to 2,260 lbs of payload capacity with its standard engine or up to 13,300 lbs of maximum towing capability with either of the powerful engine options we just mentioned.

By comparison, the Silverado 2500 HD has just two engines, starting with a 6.6L V8 which produces 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque; or you can choose a 6.6L Duramax V8 Turbo-Diesel that puts out 470 hp and a monumental 975 lb-ft of torque. This gives the 2500 HD a tremendous amount of muscle, allowing it to handle jobs that the standard Silverado 1500 simply isn’t up for. When properly configured, the Silverado 2500 HD can handle up to 3,850 lbs of maximum payload capacity or up to 22,500 lbs of towing. These stats are incredible, especially for gooseneck or fifth wheel towing, and yet they’re a pittance compared to what the Silverado 3500 HD can handle.

Legendary Muscle: The Silverado 3500 HD

If massive amounts of payload and towing are what you’re after—particularly in fifth wheel towing—then the Silverado 3500 HD is the way to go. This truck has the same two engines on offer as the Silverado 2500 HD, giving you fantastic power and overall capability. What really sets this one apart, however, is that you can get a dual rear-wheel (DRW) configuration for it, rather than only a single rear-wheel (SRW) option like the other Silverado models, which strengthens its rear axle and allows it to handle tremendous weight for payload and towing.

An SRW version of the Silverado 3500 HD can handle up to 4,502 lbs of maximum payload capacity, up to 20,000 lbs of standard towing, or up to 22,430 lbs of maximum fifth wheel towing. You can see this is an increase in payload but the same amount of towing potential. Going with a Silverado 3500 HD with a DRW configuration, however, boosts maximum payload to 7,234 lbs and increases gooseneck towing capacity to an incredible 36,000 lbs when properly equipped. These are huge gains over the 2500 HD, with almost double the maximum payload and a 60% increase in fifth wheel towing potential. For hauling a massive trailer that weighs more than 15 tons, the Silverado 3500 HD is the way to go.

Improved Features on Numerous Silverado HD Trims

For the 2024 model year, these incredible Silverado HD trucks are getting better than ever, thanks to a number of new features and improvements. For one thing, both engines now come with a remarkable Allison ten-speed automatic transmission that is delightfully responsive in shifting gears. Perhaps more notable, however, is that most models (trim levels of LT and higher) now have redesigned interiors that look better than before and give you terrific technology and improvements throughout.

At the heart of this redesigned interior is a 13.4-inch infotainment interface that utilizes the latest connectivity software; this is paired with a 12.3-inch configurable driver information center display behind your steering wheel. These two screens provide you with the data, connectivity, and entertainment you need, and with large enough displays that are easy to read without taking your eyes off the road for more than a second. This redesigned interior includes gorgeous stylistic elements like authentic leather-wrapped surfaces and real wood accents on models like the High Country, with a new center console that beautifully incorporates an available wireless charging dock.

Going Even Further: The Silverado HD ZR2

While we love the redesigned interior available on several Silverado HD models, the new option that excites us most is the first-ever Silverado HD ZR2. For years now, the ZR2 trim has been available on other trucks like the Chevy Colorado and Silverado 1500 as the pinnacle off-road trim, but it’d never been offered on the Silverado HD series. That’s about to change as the 2024 Silverado HD ZR2 looks to redefine everything we expect from an off-road truck, giving you unmatched power and capability.

The Silverado HD ZR2 is available with either the 6.6L standard gas engine or the monstrous Duramax Turbo-Diesel, letting you choose the kind of performance you prefer. It can handle up to 18,500 lbs of maximum towing capacity, with a max payload of 3,397 lbs. Living up to the reputation of the legendary ZR2 trim, this model features a 1.5-inch suspension lift, both front and rear, beyond other Silverado HD trucks. It also comes with front upper and lower control arms and specific steering knuckles chosen for off-road performance, with Multimatic DSSV dampers, a larger steel transfer case skid plate, a front aluminum skid plate, and 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires.

In case that’s not enough for you, there’s also a ZR2 Bison model designed in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to deliver even greater capability. The ZR2 Bison includes a distinctive cut, high-approach, stamped-steel front bumper with integrated recovery points and winch provisions for the front end. You’ll also find a unique stamped-steel cut rear bumper with recovery points and stamped-steel underbody skid plates for added protection. All of this comes together to create a rugged truck perfect for reaching remote job sites far outside the comfortable city limits of Birmingham or Bessemer.

Find Your Next Truck Today

As you can see, the 2024 Silverado HD models have much to offer, letting you choose from a wide range of trims, models, and features to get the right truck for what you need. These pickups are designed to handle much more work than other Chevy trucks, giving you enough muscle to tackle serious jobs as they take any punishment you heap upon them.

Choosing the right one comes down to understanding what you need your truck to be able to do, looking at what Chevy offers, and picking the model that checks all your boxes. No matter what you’re looking for, we here at Edwards Chevrolet Downtown are ready to help you find it—so give us a call and put us to work.