trailering uphill and downhill
Jeff Luke, General Motors, Chief engineer, Full and mid-line trucks, talked to Lou Ann Hammond, CEO, Driving the Nation about the difference in trailering uphill and downhill in the new 2015 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
“We want to make sure the power goes to the wheels,” said Luke as we pulled 10,000 pounds up the hill. Each vehicle was pulling the exact trailer with the exact amount of weight. The Silverado left both the with its Cummins engine Ram 2500 and Ford Powerstroke 2500 in the dust as it pulled ahead.
Watch as we trailer uphill and downhill, challenging the competitors.
There are three engines available:
A 6.0L V-8 specifically tuned for heavy-duty trucks, rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque.
A bi-fuel version of the 6.0L V-8 that can seamlessly switch from gasoline to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel teamed with the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission. Rated at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, the Duramax V-8 features a variable-vane turbocharger that acts as an exhaust brake, helping control speed on downgrades for more confident towing.
The trucks are available with all-new, stronger 66” and 8 cargo boxes with standard CornerStep bumpers, EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgates, and other features that make cargo handling easier.
Additional updates for 2015 include:
All-new exterior styling with enhanced cooling airflow, which enables Silverados 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel and 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 to better maintain full power, even under heavy loads and high ambient temperatures
All new cabs and interiors provide increased space and comfort, with extensive storage space tailored to the way customers use full-size trucks.
Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls
Integrated cruise control, auto grade braking and diesel exhaust braking (on diesel models) that help make tough towing easier
An expanded lineup of bi-fuel trucks that run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG)
Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models including 3500HD dually.
