Used 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

In the world of heavy-duty trucks, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD may not claim best-in-class towing or payload, but they are still major players in this segment, with an impeccable reputation for durability, comfort and owner loyalty. Most will buy the Silverado HD with the mighty Duramax diesel, an engine dishing out an impressive 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. And, while it’s true the Ford and Ram HD trucks can tow more weight when using a fifth wheel, the Silverado HD can still haul up to 23,300 pounds, more than enough for the needs of most customers. However, the 2018 Chevy Silverado HD trucks don’t come cheap, and a fully loaded High Country can easily push past the $70,000 mark.

While the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD’s primary mission is towing, hauling and getting dirty, this big pickup also has a softer side. Traveling at highway speeds on paved roads proved surprisingly comfortable, a radical change from the heavy-duty pickups just 10 years ago. Our Silverado 3500 proved remarkably quiet, with responsive steering and a suspension that soaked up bumps and imperfections as easily as the Silverado 1500. The Duramax diesel is so refined it only reveals its oil-burner status when punching the throttle, an action that releases a simultaneous burst of power and muffled clatter. Our Chevy rep hooked us up with a 10,000-pound trailer, which our Silverado 3500 HD had no problem towing up and over a 6,000-foot mountain climb. The trailer-sway control kept wag to a minimum, while the exhaust brake and sturdy 6-speed Allison transmission aided in our safe descent.

As mentioned, the interior of the Silverado HD is among its highlights, at least in higher trims. At the low end, the WT (work truck) is basic but functional, with a 3-passenger 40/20/40-split bench with vinyl upholstery, rearview camera and MyLink Radio with 7-inch color display. We recommend stepping up to the LT or LTZ trim, which comes with a more advanced infotainment system and flashes of brightwork to complement cloth or leather seating. Double-cab versions can accommodate up to three passengers in back for a total of six (or five if you opt for bucket seats in front).

The 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD pickup exteriors stand out with a big, boxy front end that’s even more pronounced thanks to a sleek air intake on models equipped with the Duramax. Regular-cab models are fitted with an 8-foot bed (long box), while double-cab and the roomier crew-cab models are available with the long box or a 6-foot-6 standard box. All 2500 and 3500 Chevy trucks have the helpful CornerStep bumpers for a better foothold when loading and unloading. The Chevy Silverado 3500HD is available as a dually with two pairs of rear wheels.

ADVANCED INTERIOR
As rugged as the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD is on the outside, its interior is designed to coddle and pamper. From the supportive seats to the 8-inch color touch screen to the wireless-charging pad and 4G LTE Wi-Fi setup, Chevy’s HD trucks have all the comforts of home.

6.6-LITER DURAMAX ENGINE
As big diesel engines go, the 6.6-liter Duramax engine offered in Chevy’s 2018 Silverado HD pickups is one of the best. With 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque, the Duramax diesel fears no load. It’s also B20-compatible.

Being that it is a work truck at its core, a base Silverado HD won’t spoil you much. It will, however, bring you a beefy V8 engine, anti-lock disc brakes, air conditioning, locking rear differential, locking tailgate and stability control. The basic audio system in the Silverado HD WT (work truck) is a MyLink infotainment system with six speakers, USB, Bluetooth connectivity, CD player and auxiliary ports. We recommend at least stepping up to the LT model, which includes an 8-inch display, GM’s OnStar communications system with built-in 4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, cloth interior and power windows.

Stepping up to the LTZ model adds further amenities such as heated leather seats, a steering wheel that telescopes as well as tilts, power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, rearview camera and power front seats. Top-line High Country models — available only in crew-cab form — include navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, Bose audio system and perforated leather seating. The Duramax diesel engine is available on all models, as is 4-wheel drive (4WD). Also available, depending on trim, are a rear-seat entertainment package, sunroof, power-adjustable pedals, and active safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and front-collision alert.

Three V8 engines are offered in the 2018 Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD. Rear-wheel drive is standard, as is a 360-horsepower 6.0-liter gasoline engine. This same engine can be had for use with compressed natural gas (CNG). For bigger jobs and more towing ability, there is the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine, a roughly $8,500 option. All three engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The gasoline engine is rated at 380 lb-ft of torque while the 6.6-liter V8 Duramax diesel churns out 910 lb-ft of twist. Maximum conventional trailering for the gasoline V8 is 14,500 pounds, or 14,800 when using a 5th-wheel/gooseneck. The Duramax V8 diesel models increase those numbers to 20,000 and 23,300 pounds, respectively, and feature an exhaust-braking system.

6.0-liter CNG V8
301 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
333 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.0-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 3,000 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.6-liter turbodiesel V8
445 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
910 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A