2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
The Silverado HD’s frame is all new and is now fully boxed for greater strength and rigidity. The truck is available in 11 different configurations, and the frame has been designed for easier mounting of a fifth-wheel hitch in the bed. The conventional rear-mounted hitch is more robust, too. Maximum towing capacity is said to be a nice round 20,000 pounds with the fifth wheel—16K with the standard hitch—while payload capacity tops out at 6335 pounds. Ford has yet to release its ratings for the ’11 Super Duty, but the 2010 Dodge Ram HD is capable of carrying up to 5130 pounds in the bed and towing up to 17,600 pounds.
The rear suspension’s multi-stage leaf springs are wider, at a full three inches, and are of an asymmetrical design, both of which allow for greater load-carrying ability and improved axle control, according to GM. The independent front suspension—still unique to GM in this segment—has been completely redesigned and can now support up to 6000 pounds, and the minimum weight supported by any four-wheel-drive configuration is enough to allow a snow plow to be fitted. Despite the greater complexity of the GM trucks’ independent front suspension (upper and lower control arms made of forged steel and cast iron, respectively) versus its competitors’ solid-axle layouts, the company remains adamant that the setup offers the same capability while delivering a better ride and being easier to tune for specific applications. The company says the torsion bars can be adjusted with a wrench to compensate for the greater load that a snow plow would apply to the front end.
Along with larger disc brakes—14 inchers front and rear—a standard engine-exhaust-brake system, slightly wider front and rear tracks, and longer wheelbases ranging from 133.6 to 167.7 inches, several other electronic additions are new for 2011. Single-rear-wheel models come standard with electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and automatic grade braking, with a trailer-sway-control system as an option. A trailer-brake controller is standard on all models.
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