A white 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD LTZ is shown from the front at an angle.

Towing Made Easy: Exploring the Technology Behind the 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD

Chevrolet has taken its iconic heavy-duty truck to the next level with its newest incarnation of the Silverado. It offers unrivaled capability and comfort packed in one durable package, including improved powertrains and updates to style, trailering techs, infotainment systems, and active safety features. The 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is designed with drivers in mind, and this model brings even more power to tackle the toughest jobs. With advanced design features like enhanced strength and dependable confidence, trailering has never been easier or more convenient than it is now.

With its latest style upgrade, the 2024 Silverado 3500 HD has taken rugged to a new level. The grille, headlamps, and bumper come together in one refined package that stands out from the road. With several bold color options and an exclusive Midnight Edition Package for High Country models, complete with black chrome accents, the new Silverado has the market cornered on the tough yet sophisticated look. But let’s be honest—most Silverado drivers aren’t in it for the looks but for the toughness. This year, Chevy has taken their workhorse truck up a notch with advanced technology designed for better, stronger, safer towing.

Beefing Up the Towing Power

The newest Silverado HD will come in various configurations and trim levels, from the brawny WT to the high-end High Country. For drivers who intend on using the Silverado for work and towing, you’ll be happy to learn that this truck comes with two engine options: the powerful 6.6L Duramax diesel and the 6.6L V8 gasoline. Because the updated towing technology in the Silverado is connected to its power, let’s take a closer look at these two engines.

A white 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD LTZ is shown from the rear at an angle.

Duramax Diesel

Compared to previous models, the top-of-the-line 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 greatly increases its torque and horsepower. It offers improved performance for everyday hauls and heavy-duty tasks like grade climbs or towing loads. Mated with an impressive ten-speed Allison automatic transmission and 3.42:1 final drive, the diesel HD can easily tow up to 36,000 lbs with a gooseneck trailer in both the rear-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. Even your heavier fifth-wheels (up to 32,000 lbs) or conventional trailers (up to 20,000 lbs) can be accommodated with the built-in wiring available on the 3500 HD Regular Cab with 2WD Dual Rear Wheel configuration. (Gooseneck and fifth-wheel prep packages are available on all Silverado 3500 HD trims.)

With up to 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque, the Duramax engine boasts a 25% increase in low-end torque production on top of its already efficient combustion design. This power makes it ideal for those needing peak performance at lower speeds or tackling more demanding terrains when trailering. It’s an optimal combination of strength and capability.

The 2024 Silverado HD 3500 gives drivers confidence in their on-demand power, a perfect feeling for any towing job. Its ten-speed configuration uses every ounce of torque available, and the Gross Combined Weight Rating is now up by 2,000 lbs, from 24,000 to 26,000. This advantage allows you and your truck to handle even heavier tasks with ease.

V8 Option

Boosted by a 6.6L V8, the new gasoline engine option produces an impressive 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque for 2WD and 4WD models. This power is facilitated via the included Allison ten-speed transmission with a 3.73:1 final drive. Mating the Allison with the V8 engine modernizes the Silverado from its original six-speed. Say goodbye to laggy shifting as the new ten-speed automatic offers more fluid movement and fast gear changes, allowing the engine’s power to stay at its peak for longer.

The new gearbox powering the Chevy gas-powered HD truck makes for a far more efficient ride, boasting a dramatically improved towing and payload capacity of up to 26,000 lbs. Drivers are rewarded with quicker shifting speeds on hills or along curves and more precise power adjustments depending on their needs.

Top Trailering Technology

With a whopping towing capacity of up to 36,000 lbs and an excellent payload rating of 6,532 lbs, the diesel Silverado HD leads the pack in towing and payload. Gasoline-powered models can handle a slightly heavier 7,442 lbs of payload while towing about half as much, at 17,200 lbs. Buyers now have the added convenience and safety of four innovative trailering technologies, including a hands-on adaptive cruise control system that will work when trailering. This system allows drivers to navigate highways while driving with a trailer safely. It maintains a safe distance between you and the car ahead, considering any increased drag or braking distances due to it being attached.

Chevy’s enhanced Transparent Trailer View camera tech pairs your gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers seamlessly with the added Blind Zone Alert. You can feel secure in its extended coverage, even when hauling a trailer is part of the equation. With Transparent Trailer View technology, towing gets a significant upgrade. Versatile and featuring enhanced compatibility, drivers can now enjoy greater peace of mind and virtually “see-through” their gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers, regardless of their length.

The Gross Combined Weight Alert monitors payload weight, so there’s no danger of exceeding the GCW Rating on your journey. The ten-speed Allison transmission offers superior-grade braking control with closer gear ratios, allowing for precise engine-braking adjustments. Furthermore, the smooth and fast shifting provides a heightened sense of power at your fingertips, along with increased accuracy and refinement.

Unique Camera Views

Chevy goes all-out, providing trailering coverage with eight available cameras providing up to fifteen distinct perspectives and a range of trailering features created for easier maneuvering from start to finish. The top four available views include:

Hitch View

An up-close look at your trailer hitch ensures a quicker alignment when hooking on a trailer, making the connection process more navigable and safer.

Rear Vision

A rear overhead shot reveals nearly 180 degrees of the space behind the truck bed, whilst reversing at low speeds, ensuring plenty of wiggle room to navigate tight spots.

Bed View

A bird’s eye view of your truck bed from a camera mounted on the upper rear of the cab. Used for monitoring your cargo or simplifying fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitching. Cargo Bed Zoom provides an even closer look, while the Hitch Guidance system offers assistance when hooking up trailers.

HD Surround Vision

An amalgam of a minimum of four wide-angle cameras provides a full 360-degree view of the truck’s environment, allowing drivers to know precisely how close they are to obstacles while in a cramped spot.

Drivers gain optimal visibility on the road with over a dozen available camera views. From vehicle and object perspectives around your truck and trailer, you’ll have multiple angles at your disposal for an enhanced driving experience. The 2024 Chevy Silverado HD 3500 makes towing easy and efficient, and each truck includes a unique Trailering Information Label that provides the data on your vehicle’s trailer ratings for max towing weight or payload capacity.

The black interior of a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is shown from the driver's seat.

Tow, Tow, Tow With Your Silverado

With the iconic 2024 Silverado HD, Chevrolet has taken heavy-duty trucks to an unrivaled level of power and control. An enhanced 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 and 6.6L gasoline-powered V8 offer unparalleled strength combined with the robust Allison ten-speed transmission. The Silverado’s revolutionary technology puts you in charge of all your journeys in advanced towing.

As part of its commitment to providing reliable transportation, Chevrolet has amplified the capabilities of the 2024 Silverado HD 3500 with improved hauling features. With greater strength and dependability, it’s easier than ever to tow what you need quickly and securely. The all-new Silverado HD will make waves with its release later in 2023. Watch out for this vehicle hitting showrooms sometime within the first half of the year, with pricing information rolling out closer to the launch date.