Confidence comes from first-rate brakes, brake pedal feel and steering response and precision. My driving partner and I actually pushed our Sierra 2500 HD Denali beyond how an HD should be pushed on tight, twisty and uneven roads and it performed beyond expectations.
As with a 9,000-plus-lb 35-foot trailer, the 3500 HD with D-Max carried on unscathed thanks to Stabilitrak, trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking and intelligent brake assist. Trailer snaking or sway never became an issue even at speeds exceeding 70 mph and when passing.
Detroit 3; the conclusion
Here's where a book could be written. Back-to-back testing of the three HD competitors was very telling. But I won't go into mad details... you've already hung this long, so the conclusion begins now.
Basically, the Ram is outclassed in nearly every aspect of the mechanicals and the drive. Where it shines is in exterior and interior design. I'm willing to bet that the next Cummins will tangle with 800 lb-ft of torque and then all hell will break loose.
The Super Duty is colossal. The 6.7L Power Stroke may be “lesser” on paper but its power is bone-crushing; the Duramax is not its superior. The SD's steering is plain terrible but everything else is on par or close to the GMs.
And so, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HDs are good, very good. The new trucks have not broken the mould but have improved it considerably. They are back in the game, in earnest.
For my hard-earned money, I'd get a GM chassis with Allison 'box, a Power Stroke, a mix between Ford and Ram interior with GM seats and a Ram grille...
As with a 9,000-plus-lb 35-foot trailer, the 3500 HD with D-Max carried on unscathed thanks to Stabilitrak, trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking and intelligent brake assist. Trailer snaking or sway never became an issue even at speeds exceeding 70 mph and when passing.
Detroit 3; the conclusion
Here's where a book could be written. Back-to-back testing of the three HD competitors was very telling. But I won't go into mad details... you've already hung this long, so the conclusion begins now.
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| The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HDs are good, very good. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Basically, the Ram is outclassed in nearly every aspect of the mechanicals and the drive. Where it shines is in exterior and interior design. I'm willing to bet that the next Cummins will tangle with 800 lb-ft of torque and then all hell will break loose.
The Super Duty is colossal. The 6.7L Power Stroke may be “lesser” on paper but its power is bone-crushing; the Duramax is not its superior. The SD's steering is plain terrible but everything else is on par or close to the GMs.
And so, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HDs are good, very good. The new trucks have not broken the mould but have improved it considerably. They are back in the game, in earnest.
For my hard-earned money, I'd get a GM chassis with Allison 'box, a Power Stroke, a mix between Ford and Ram interior with GM seats and a Ram grille...
2011 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax
2011 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax
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