Comfort aboard the Crew Cab Silverado isn't just a front seat virtue.
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| The Silverado has plenty of space for five burly people inside its crew cab. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
The spacious rear seating area is also remarkably comfortable as crews' quarters go, replete with air conditioning outlets and private audio. Of course all this interior real estate comes at a price beyond monetary; the crew-cab-equipped Silverado is a lengthy beast. My tester, which held the standard cargo box of 78.7 inches in length, was a shade too long to fit into my garage. If I had removed the work bench at one end, the Silverado would have fit with approximately 12 inches of room to spare - and I have a large garage. At the end of my street is a cul-de-sac turn-around. Before the Silverado, I had never tested a vehicle that was too large to turn around in this circular space without backing up. The huge 49.6 foot turning radius of the crew-cab-equipped Silverado conspired with its overall length of 237.3 inches to defeat my "no-need-to-reverse" record. Amazingly, the Silverado can grow even longer when the 97.6 inches long, full-length cargo box is attached. This would bring the Silverado's maximum overall length to a solar eclipsing 256.2 inches - yikes.
Realistically
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| Extra-tall, extra-wide, extra-heavy mirrors perfect for that mafia-style 'whacking'. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
though, these behemoths are necessary assets for those involved in farming and industry; or those pulling retirement homes to desert climates. Chevy has done a very good job of providing the means to easily and comfortably accomplish a variety of major automotive tasks with the Duramax-powered Silverado 2500HD 4X4. Oddly enough, I enjoyed driving my tester in and about town. Its girth brings a relaxation to driving that simply isn't there when I drive smaller, sportier vehicles. I think the Silverado-induced sense of solace arises from knowing there is no ability to jump from lane to lane in an attempt to get ahead of slower traffic. In the enormous Silverado, time just slows down while its satellite radio plays whatever genre of music happens to be mood matching at the time.
Along with satellite radio, Chevy has ensured that buyers of
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| The Duramax/Allison combination is one worth serious consideration, if you need this kind of truck. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
Silverados are free to load-up the truck of their needs with a wide array of comfort and convenience items, provided the yearned-for items don't include a multitude of airbags. Only driver and front passenger airbags are available, which is somewhat disappointing. Fortunately powerful, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard equipment on all Silverados, as is traction control on 2WD models. There's plenty of competition at present between the big-3 domestic automakers about whose truck is biggest and most potent. That is really up to the customer to decide after careful analysis of the specs, capacities and performance ratings. Suffice to say though if it's the Duramax/Allison-equipped version of the Silverado 2500 HD 4X4 Crew Cab rolling into your driveway, you have just secured king-of-the-hill bragging rights... for this year at least.
Specifications (6600 Duramax, Allison 6-speed 2500HD 4X4 Crew Cab):- Price Range (MSRP): $44,610 - $57,505
- Body Type: 4-door pickup, ladder frame
- Layout: front engine, 4WD
- Engine: 360-hp, 650 lb-ft of torque 6.6L (403 cu in), OHV turbodiesel V8
- Transmission: 6-spd auto with Tow-Haul mode, Range Selection Mode, Grade Braking (Allison 1000)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Curb Weight: 5,883 lb
- Bed Length: 78.7 in (opt 97.6 in)
- Ground Clearance (4WD): front 8.9 in, rear 7.4 in
- Towing Capacity (4WD): 12,000 lbs
- Observed Fuel Economy (combined city/hwy): 13 mpg
- Warranty (mo/miles): 36/36,000 comprehensive
- Direct Competitors: Dodge Ram Mega-Cab Cummins Diesel, Ford F-250 diesel, GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab diesel
- Web Site: www.chevrolet.com
