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They say “class-leading” and“segment-best,” but you decideEBMag was pleased to have the opportunity tosit in on a media-only, sneak peek of Chevrolet’s new2011 Silverado HD (www.chevrolet.com) before itwas officially shown off at the Chicago Auto Show.And the Chevy executives delivering the presentationwere pretty pleased with what they’ve assembled.This truck is pretty important to the folks at Chevy(quite understandably, considering the dive the autosector has taken of late), and they want it to becomeimportant to you. So much so that, for this presentation,Chevy sent in its top trucks execs to convince me(and you) that this is the pickup you’ve alwaysdreamed of.Making the pitch were: Rick Scheidt, executivedirector, product marketing, Chevrolet Trucks; RickSpina, vehicle line executive, full-size trucks; JeffLuke, global chief engineer; Gary Arvan, chief engineer,Duramax diesel; and Jim Mikulec, leaddevelopment engineer. And here’s what they had tosay about the truck that goes on sale this summer...Sneak peek at the 2011 Chev Silverado HDSome of the ways the 2011 SilveradoHD leads... according to ChevyNew framesIn the quest to redesign the Silverado HD chassis toimprove durability and ride while supporting increasedcapability, engineers developed 11 all-new, fully boxedframeassemblies. The frames have increased crosssections and use more high-strength steel for greaterdurability, higher towing capacity and improved rideand handling.Engineers addressed common customer andTHOUSANDS OF APPLICATIONS.HUNDREDS OF LABELS.ONE LABEL PRINTER.The new BMP71 Label Printer does it all.With more than 400 different label options, this portable label printer can create everything from¼” self-laminating wire marker labels to 2” wide panel labels. It has a large full color display,high speed print (1.5” per second!) and electrical design wizards that can cut your design timein half. This easy-to-use labeler can cut material waste, save time, and help you create labelsmore efficiently than ever before.TO LEARN MORE, watch the BMP71 Printer demo videoor request a free sample pack at www.bradycanada.ca/bmp71aftermarket uses when designing the new frames;also, the frame-mounted hitch for conventionaltrailering is stronger, with a box-tube design.New and strong independent front suspensionA completely redesigned independent front suspensionsystem offers up to a 25% greater front axleAEBO40AEBO40weight rating—up to 6000 lb frontgross axle weight rating (FGAWR).Five different torsion bar rates supportfive different FGAWRs (asingle torsion bar was previouslyused for all models).New asymmetrical leaf-springrear suspensionCommensurate with the SilveradoHD’s greater strength and capabilityis a rear suspension designed to supportgreater loads. It features a new,larger asymmetrical leaf-spring designthat also contributes to improved rideand handling characteristics.The larger leaf-spring design supportsincreased rear gross axleweight ratings across the board. Onthe 2500HD models, the rating is6200 lb (up from 6084 lb). On3500HD models, the ratingincreases to 7050 lb on single-rearwheelmodels and 9375 lb ondual-rear-wheel models—the latterrepresenting a nearly 14% increaseover the previous 8200-lb rating.“Segment-leading towingand payload capability”Stronger frames, suspension systemswith greater weight ratings andenhanced powertrain systems contributeto the Silverado HD’stowing and payload capability. Themaximum conventional (ball hitch)towing rating increases to 16,000 lb.A Silverado 3500HD crew cab/longBrady_EB_April10.indd 124 • April 2010 • www.EBMag.com3/4/10 9:29:24 AM