On any given day, both the television and social media are inundated with advertisements for products we need, and a great many we don’t. The automotive industry is no exception to this. While there’s no shortage of commercials for sporty vehicles and ones that have a bright and flashy aesthetic, there’s a part of the industry that goes largely unnoticed in the public eye. These are the commercial vehicles that are utilized by the blue-collar workers who put an unbelievable amount of strain on themselves to make sure that infrastructure goes up, roads get paved, and the most arduous of tasks are completed on time. If your business is part of this essential workforce, then commercial vehicles can make all the difference between the work getting done right or not at all. As one of the premier institutions of this country, Chevrolet has always built vehicles with blue-collar workers in mind. Visit us, your local San Antonio Chevy commercial truck dealer, and you’ll see a fleet that’s ready, willing, and able to help you get any job accomplished.
Two for the Road: Chevy Silverado HD
The Chevy Silverado is one of the most dependable trucks on the road today. A favorite among many truck drivers, the Silverado was built to handle the toughest jobs with ease while remaining highly customizable. Depending upon how large your workload may be, Chevy offers several Silverado models that are made for heavy lifting and will quickly become the most reliable worker on any job site. Today, we are going to look at just two of the many Chevy Silverado commercial trucks available to you.
The Silverado Heavy-Duty Engines
The Silverado Heavy Duty models are a step above the 1500 that you often see on the road, but more importantly, they are above and beyond the average full-size pickup truck that you might encounter. Big jobs require big tools that are durable and efficient, and the 3500 HD and 2500 HD come equipped with two available engines that can assist you in getting your work accomplished.
The 6.6L V8 Engine
The standard offering for the Silverado 2500 is a workhorse, if there ever was one. Chevy has always been known for their powerful V8 engines, and this one is no exception to that tradition. A horsepower rating of 401 ponies and 464 lb-ft of torque are the numbers that add up to a job well done. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, you’ll have the capability to assert yourself over anything.
The 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 Engine
If you’re looking at a Silverado 2500 and think for a moment that it might not have enough power to take care of the big jobs that you get assigned, think again. To step up your game, you need the right equipment, and Chevy’s diesel option can make ANY job seem minuscule when you apply this workhorse to the equation. 445 horsepower is at your disposal with this engine, as well as 910 lb-ft of torque. This diesel engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which personifies the top-tier craftsmanship that Chevy has always provided.

The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
We know what you’re thinking… ”Sure, those specs for the engine look great, but what about my heavy workload?” Well, ask, and you shall receive. The Silverado 2500 has a trailering capacity of 18,500 lbs when the model is equipped with the diesel engine. With the V6 gasoline engine, the 2500 HD can tow up to 17,370 lbs. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a truck with more capability than this. But its hard work doesn’t stop there; the Silverado 2500 HD also boasts a maximum payload of 3,979 lbs. That’s nearly double the weight of the Silverado 1500, whose maximum payload tops out at around 2,280 lbs.
Chevy Silverado 3500 HD
For those that need an extra boost with their occupational obligations, the Chevy Silverado 3500 is here to make life easier. Putting the “heavy” in “heavy-duty,” you might never have to work hard again.
Maximum Towing, Maximum Results
While the towing and trailering capabilities of the 2500 are indeed impressive and will be more than adequate for the job site, those who need a little more will be surprised at what the 3500 HD can achieve. When equipped with a diesel engine, the 3500 HD can tow up to 20,000 lbs. Even if you decide to stick to the gasoline-powered 6.6L V8, you’ll still have the ability to haul 16,800 lbs of conventional weight. But the ability to carry the heaviest loads doesn’t come close to stopping there. With an additional gooseneck, the turbo diesel’s capabilities are increased to 35,500 lbs, and the gasoline-powered V8 can now two 17,200 lbs. Those are results that can’t be argued with.
Bigger Payloads
Whenever you’ve passed a Silverado 1500 on the road, you may have noticed that its truck bed looks like it can carry a great deal. This assumption would be correct, as the 1500 has a payload capacity of 2,310 lbs. That’s pretty efficient for a pickup truck. Just to illustrate how effective the Silverado 3500 is, its maximum payload is an astounding 4,593 lbs. Think about that for just a moment; that’s two tons of cargo that can be carried to and from the job site or debris and materials hauled away during clean-up.

Choosing the Right Truck
The choices that we make throughout the course of our life all come down to a game of opposites. Right or wrong, good or bad, for the most part, things exist in the world of black and white without any shades of grey. When it comes to choosing a Chevy Commercial truck, splitting the differences between the Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD might come across as difficult. They’re both in the same class, powered by the same engines, and both are manufactured to take care of the heavy loads that so many blue-collar workers are tasked with completing on a daily basis. Not to mention, these are just two of a whole lineup of Chevy trucks ready to get the job done. So, how do you decide?
As many mechanics will attest, you always need the right tool for the right job. You need to have trust in your tools and be certain that they’re up to the same task that you are. The best way to evaluate your purchase is to consider how much work you’re going to be assigned on a regular basis. If your workload is large and consistent, consider a Silverado HD with a Duramax diesel engine, as they have a tendency to have a long shelf life of up to 200,000 miles. The name of the game is choosing a vehicle that’s effective in its performance and one that will fit within the confines of your budget.
Remember, a work truck is an investment. Just as the hundreds of thousands of people have come to depend on you for your business, you need a truck that will help you deliver on your obligations. You’ll get back what you put in, and then some. Evaluate your needs for the workplace, and visit us for the best options in commercial vehicles.

