2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD

When you’re talking updates to Heavy Duty pickups, you’re usually boasting about bigger power and higher tow ratings; but the truth is, all those numbers have gotten out of control lately, and not too many people actually come close to maximizing their truck’s towing or hauling abilities.

So, rather than simply focusing on bigger numbers, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD lineup showcases improvements that will make your workday easier and your days off more enjoyable.

Starting with the towing experience, improved tech includes Adaptive Cruise control that takes the weight of your trailer into account, Enhanced Transparent Trailer which allows you to now virtually “see through” gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers, enhanced Blind Zone Alert that recognizes your overall length with trailer, and updated alerts that let you know if you’re hauling or towing above the Gross Combined Weight Rating.

Heavy Duty buyers can also now tap into Chevrolet’s ZR2 off road goodness with beefed up suspensions, higher ground clearance, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires.

Our tester is an LT which is the start of where things transition from basic work truck to pleasure cruiser, with available niceties such as carpeted floor, wood trim, and push to start.

While diesel power is still king in the Heavy Duty world, not everyone wants to clatter their way to the job site or search for diesel fuel pumps when on vacation with the family. The standard 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine does carry over with 401-horsepower and 464 lb-ft. of torque, but it now gets the same Allison 10-speed automatic transmission as the Duramax diesel, replacing its previous 6-speed.

Smaller steps in gearing mean less wear and tear on the engine, as well as keeping it at its peak power longer; not to mention more options for staying off the brakes when going downhill.

The available 6.6-liter Duramax V8 Turbo Diesel does get a boost in output from 445 to 470-horsepower and 910 to 975 lb-ft. of stump pulling torque.

Climbing inside, LT and above now get a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display, you know… for productivity. And lots of knobs remain, because who wants to go menu diving just to make simple adjustments.

So, the dash obviously gets an overhaul to house that screen, along with a more substantial covering for a new 12.3-inch digital driver display.

What most people still call a center console, Chevy now calls the command center, which features an easier to use wireless phone charging slot, and widely spaced side-by-side cupholders to eliminate those awkward moments when you and your passenger reach for your ginormous coffee mugs at the same time.

Other usability enhancers include steps built into the rear bumper as well as just behind the rear doors for bed access, big tow-friendly side mirrors, and front recovery hooks; plus, AC power in the bed, along with 5th wheel prep, and feature-packed tailgate.

Unlike in lesser trucks where cab configurations are becoming fewer and fewer, here in the Heavy Duty ranks you can still get Regular, Double, and Crew Cabs.

Regular cabs come exclusively with an 8-foot bed, while Double and Crew Cabs can get the 8-footer or a 6½-foot bed.

If you want big-rig style dual rear wheels, you’ll have to step up to the 3500, where you’ll also find the max 36,000-lbs. towing capacity; our 2500 Crew Cab is rated for 16,000-lbs. conventional, 18,400 for gooseneck or 5th wheel.

But even this 2500 is really a lot of truck to drive around, requiring extra care around other vehicles, and planning ahead as to where you’re parking it. We’re not sure why you’d want to daily drive a rig this large unless you really do need it to perform big tasks that are just too much for a 1500 to handle.

Heavy Duty trucks do not get official Government Fuel Economy Ratings, but we averaged just 13.1 miles-per-gallon of Regular gas.

As you can imagine, there’s a wide array of prices ranging from a basic 2-wheel-drive Work Truck at $46,395 to top 4-wheel-drive High Country which starts at $73,995. Our well-equipped 4WD LT with the Z71 off-road package is a fairly typical setup that comes in just under $65,000.

While GM certainly hasn’t called a cease fire in the Heavy-Duty truck wars, they have focused their updates of this 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD on things that are much more important than numbers. Though in making everyday usability better, they have indeed made it more capable too.