LaFontaine Chevrolet Plymouth

Apr 12, 2024
A red 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is shown parked off-road in a grass valley.

Getting the right truck for your business means understanding what you need and making sure your pickup has the power to get the job done. While the legendary Chevy Silverado 1500 is great for many people, when you need a truck that can handle anything you throw at it, then you can’t beat the Silverado 3500 HD.

As you look for a Chevy Silverado for sale, you’ll find a number of different models and options, including the standard Silverado 1500, the more powerful Silverado 2500 HD, and the beastly Silverado 3500 HD, which takes power and capability to another level entirely. If you think the 2024 Silverado 3500 HD might be right for you, but you’re still not sure, then let’s take a closer look at what the Silverado 3500 HD has to offer and see if it’s the right choice to help you get your job done.

Powerful Engine Options

While some trucks give you a wide range of options for your powertrain—like the Chevy Silverado 1500 and its four available engines—the Silverado 3500 HD keeps things simple with two engines to choose from. This way, you don’t have to worry about missing out on something that you want or getting power that can’t meet your needs. Both engines are mighty V8s, so it just comes down to whether you prefer a conventional gas or diesel engine.

The standard powertrain for the Silverado 3500 HD is a 6.6L V8 gas engine that delivers 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. For the 2024 model year, this engine is now paired with an Allison ten-speed automatic rather than the six-speed automatic that was previously available, giving you a smoother drive with smaller steps between gears.

If you prefer something with more power or need to be able to tackle some incredibly demanding jobs, then there’s an available 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 that provides 470 hp and a massive 975 lb-ft of torque. This is an absolute beast of an engine, paired with the same Allison ten-speed automatic, providing you with tremendous amounts of power that it can maintain for longer periods.

Power output has been boosted for the 2024 model, compared to last year’s diesel engine, and Chevy’s engineers have enhanced its low-end torque by up to 25%, giving you improved performance at low speeds and when climbing uphill. This is particularly helpful when you’re hauling a trailer behind you—speaking of which…

Rugged Design & Bold Capability

For many of us, the whole point of a truck with the kind of power that you can get from the 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 is its ability to handle some serious weight.

Whether you need huge payload capacity so you can load up the bed with bags of cement, or you want to be able to pull a trailer full of lumber and supplies, the Silverado 3500 HD is undeniably up to the task. You get incredible capability with the Silverado 3500 HD and enough muscle to handle anything you throw at it, though your engine choice and other options impact just how much weight it can take to where you need it.

In addition to the engine you pick, you should also consider if you want a model with a single rear-wheel (SRW) configuration or a dual rear-wheel (DRW) configuration, which has two wheels on each side of the rear axle.

Looking at the standard gas engine, a Silverado 3500 HD with an SRW setup can handle up to 4,502 lbs of payload capacity; if you choose a model with a DRW configuration and the gas engine, then it can handle up to 7,234 lbs of maximum payload. The diesel engine weighs more, so it brings maximum payload down a bit, but an SRW model can still handle up to 4,403 lbs of payload, while one with a DRW setup can support up to 6,638 lbs of maximum payload capacity.

When it comes to towing capability, your engine and rear-wheel configuration is just as important and has a similar effect on capacities. The standard gas engine with an SRW setup can handle up to 16,000 lbs of maximum conventional towing or up to 19,080 lbs of gooseneck or fifth wheel towing. Choosing this engine with a DRW configuration ups that to 18,700 lbs of conventional towing and 18,760 lbs of gooseneck towing.

If you want the greatest capability possible, then go for the diesel engine that can haul up to 20,000 lbs behind it with conventional towing in an SRW setup. Where the Silverado 3500 HD takes things to the next level is gooseneck towing with the diesel engine and DRW configuration, which tops out at an incredible 36,000 lbs, giving you the power you need to tackle any job.

A black 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is shown towing a bulldozer.

Sophisticated and Refined Interior

Last year, the Silverado 1500 received some interior upgrades that elevated it to a new level; this year, it’s the Silverado 3500 HD’s turn. Every Silverado 3500 HD receives a redesigned and refreshed interior that looks great and is perfectly arranged for functionality. Other than the fleet-ready WT trim, every Silverado 3500 HD features a new 13.4-inch infotainment display that looks incredible and is easy to use with navigation software, towing systems, and other tech.

This is paired with a 12.3-inch configurable driver information center that’s easy to use and provides you with turn-by-turn navigation instructions and more. The available wireless smartphone charging pad has been redesigned to make it easier to use without getting in the way, and overall, the interior feels better.

These kinds of features might be seen as excessive luxuries, but if you need a truck that can act as a mobile office for you or your workers, there’s no better way to stay connected and get your job done efficiently than with such impressive tech.

Improved Trailering Technology

Not all of the impressive technology found in the 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD relates to big screens or added comfort options. New systems are available to improve towing with this truck, such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailer functionality, which accounts for the added drag and increased braking distances that come from towing and adjusts to safely let you use adaptive cruise control while towing.

An Enhanced Transparent Trailer system now works with fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers to give you greater visibility while hauling some serious weight behind you, while Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert extends the area of the side blind zone alert system to account for whatever you’re towing. There’s even a new GCW Alert to warn you if your vehicle and trailer exceed the Silverado 3500 HD’s Gross Combined Weight Rating, helping you avoid damaging your truck.

With this tech on your side, it’s easier to avoid collisions and similar situations that can harm people and damage your equipment, so you and your employees can focus on getting the job done.

A close-up on the grille and badge of a red 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500HD ZR2.

Is the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Right for Your Business?

Whether you’re looking for a new truck as an independent contractor, plan to build a fleet of hard-working pickups, or simply want a truck that can do some serious towing, the 2024 Silverado 3500 HD is up to the task. This is one of the hardest working trucks on the road, and it has only gotten better for this new model year, once again reminding us why so many people choose the Silverado 3500 HD for their business and rely on it to help them get their work done.

From streamlined WT trims that are perfect for building a fleet to the unsurpassed sophistication and innovative tech of the High Country trim, the Silverado 3500 HD is an incredible truck that can help your business grow in ways you never thought possible.