Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is shown towing a trailer and bulldozer.

Designed To Be Dependable: The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD

Everyone knows about the Chevy Silverado. It’s won loads of accolades for its reliability and resale value, and those who work hard and play even harder know about the Chevy Silverado HD. Hailed by contractors, automotive experts, and real drivers alike, the Silverado HD is the truck you need when the going gets tougher than tough. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is at the top of the food chain for Chevy’s non-commercial trucks, and it packs a lot of punch in its strong and capable frame. Though it shares the same rugged good looks as its “little” brother, the Silverado 2500HD, the differences are remarkable.

While it’s true that not everyone has the need for a heavy-duty truck, those who do require the extra lift, abundant power, and impressive reliability of a truck this size can be glad to know that the Silverado 3500HD is reporting for duty. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD looks to be the toughest, mightiest, and most driver-centric version of the truck yet. While it’s true that trucks this size need to be able to do their jobs, they also need to be driven by real people. Here’s how the 2022 Silverado 3500HD plans to keep drivers in mind.

A red 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is shown parked in a lot with a trailer attached.

Getting Work Done the Right Way

The first and foremost responsibility of the Silverado 3500HD is to get tough jobs done the right way and right away. This is why Chevy has provided it with a reinforced chassis and optional dual rear wheels, along with two engine options that are designed to provide the greatest amount of power possible.

The first is a 6.6L V8, which comes standard on the 3500HD. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, drivers can choose from two or four-wheel drive. It provides 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque to make driving less of a chore and more of a privilege as that power roars to life under the hood with each acceleration. And here’s where things get good: the payload maximum for a two-wheel drive dually with this engine is 7,442 pounds. With four-wheel drive, that drops slightly to 7,145. It can handle a 16,800-pound conventional towing capacity or up to 17,442 pounds with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch.

Perhaps you’re a diesel purist, in which case the 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 is just right for your preferences. With its mighty 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque, there’s no denying this engine has what it takes to be taken seriously in the field. Also available with your choice of two or four-wheel drive, the turbo diesel engine is paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission.

For those who select the two-wheel drive dually, the payload maximum is 6,523 pounds. The four-wheel drive version can handle up to 6,196 pounds of cargo. The diesel engine truly excels in trailering, however. It can pull conventional hitches up to 20,000 pounds, while fifth wheel and gooseneck rigs up to 36,000 pounds are no problem.

A Truck That Appreciates You, Too

When it comes to heavy-duty trucks, drivers generally don’t get too many choices. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is here to change that notion. The Silverado 3500HD comes in a variety of configurations and trims. Those who are looking for a straightforward vehicle can choose the Work Truck. Along with the LT trim, the Work Truck is offered as a regular cab, a double cab, or a crew cab. The Custom and LTZ trim options are available as double or crew cabs, and while the top-shelf High Country trim is offered as a crew cab only, it has an astounding number of comfort features for a truck of its caliber.

Not too long ago, a truck of this stature would be regally clad in plastic seats, crank windows, and AM radio. Today’s Silverado 3500HD includes standard features that make sense in the field, including air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, automatic locking rear differential, and trailer sway control. Working your way up the trim levels adds plenty more creature comforts. Power adjustable features come in at the LTZ level, including the side mirrors, driver’s seat, and steering wheel, the last two of which are heated, as well.

Driving the High Country trim, it might be important to remind yourself from time to time that you are, indeed, in a heavy-duty truck. The front and rear seats are heated, and the front seats are ventilated, as well. Parking sensors are added to the mix, along with a Trailer View Camera system, which comes with two standard views, but can be optioned to add several others.

When it comes to options, Chevy has ensured that drivers of the Silverado 3500HD have the ability to add options and packages as necessary. This includes details like carpeted flooring, appearance upgrades like the Dark Essentials Package, and safety technology, such as Forward Collision Alert.

The infotainment screen is shown in 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD on a black dashboard with brown accents.

Stow and Tow Done Right

What makes the 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD truly amazing is the manufacturer’s attention to detail. From a rear seat in the crew cab that is designed to accommodate long legs and bulky boots to doors that can be opened and windows that can be rolled down with gloves on, the Silverado 3500HD is designed to be your new work partner.

One area in which the Silverado 3500HD truly excels is in the design of the bed and the available towing features. The Durabed feature provides workers with plenty of helpful features, including 12 standard tie-downs, an available 120-volt power outlet, and LED lighting for the bed area, allowing you to get work done any time of day or night. Chevy’s Multi-Flex Tailgate is another key feature that can make life easier for a lot of drivers. With its six positions that include an inner gate and primary gate load stop, work surface, and step configuration, you’ll get a lot more out of your tailgate than ever before.

The Trailer View Camera system is another recent development that is revolutionizing the relationship between big trucks and big trailers. Up to 15 different views can be selected to provide drivers with all the details they need to know about their precious cargo. Four views focus on the bed and rear of the truck for hitch details, including surround view and a rear top-down view. Six views are available when driving, including a composite view that allows drivers to “see through” the trailer, as well as a view inside the trailer. There are also five parking views offered, covering the front side, rear side, and top-down views. Negotiating a crowded site can be nerve-wracking, especially with a trailer full of livestock or valuable work equipment, but with the Trailer View Camera system, you can get real-time information on what’s going on outside from all angles in extreme detail.

Choosing Your Next Truck Is Easy

Shopping for a truck that’s large and in charge has never been easier, with the 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD standing tall among the competition. Both engine options pack a punch, with payload and towing numbers that cement its standing as a truck that can get things done. With options like four-wheel drive and dual rear wheels, drivers have the chance to create exactly the right truck for the job at hand.

It’s also intelligently designed with the work crew in mind, inside and out, combining top-notch functionality with the creature comforts that have been absent on work trucks for so long. From optional fully reclining seats to built-in navigation to help you get where you’re going on time, the offerings of the Silverado 3500HD make sense. Whether the modest Work Truck or the tricked-out High Country trim best suits your needs, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD is a force to be reckoned with, from the front bumper to hitch ball.