What size truck is a Chevy 3500?
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is a heavy-duty, one-ton pickup truck—larger and more capable than the Silverado 1500 or 2500, built for serious payloads and large trailers.
Where the Silverado 3500 fits in Chevy's lineup
Size and class
Key facts that define its size and class include the following:
- Heavy-duty, one-ton pickup (class 3) in Chevrolet's Silverado lineup
- Available in single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) configurations
- Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) typically around 9,000–10,000 pounds
- Substantially higher payload and towing capability than the Silverado 1500 and 2500
In practice, those attributes translate to a truck built for serious trailers and cargo rather than everyday commuting.
Powertrain and performance
Engines and transmissions
This heavy-duty pickup offers two main powertrains, paired with a heavy-duty automatic transmission:
- Gasoline 6.6L V8 engine
- 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 engine
Drivetrain options include rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with both SRW and DRW configurations affecting payload distribution and stability under heavy loads.
Configurations and capabilities
Cab and bed options
Chevrolet provides multiple cab styles and bed lengths, along with the SRW/DRW choice, to fit work and recreational needs:
- Crew Cab and Regular Cab body styles
- Multiple bed lengths, commonly including longer boxes for HD use
- Availability of off-road and luxury trims on select configurations
Overall, the Silverado 3500HD is designed to maximize payload and towing capacity while offering flexible configurations for fleets and individual buyers alike.
Summary
The Silverado 3500HD stands as Chevrolet’s heavy-duty, one-ton pickup. With SRW and DRW options, gasoline and diesel power, and a range of cab and bed configurations, it is built to handle the heaviest payloads and the toughest towing tasks beyond the capabilities of the lighter Silverado models.
