Earlier this week, we hinted that the all-new, 2020 GM HD pickup trucks – the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD and 2020 GMC Sierra HD – feature improvements to the snow plow prep package. Here’s the lowdown.
As it stands, the front end of the new trucks has been designed in a way so as to facilitate easy removal of the air dam and skid plate, thereby enabling more intuitive mounting of the plow hardware. In fact, the design eliminates the need to drill additional holes in the front bumper.
And when the plow blade is removed from the 2020 GM HD pickups, the trucks return to form by maintaining a smooth and integrated appearance without visible hardware.
Moreover, models with the new 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine will be offered with dual alternators to support the electrical needs for trailering, snowplowing and other jobs with greater power demands.
There snow plow prep package typically includes the following items:
- Power feed for backup and roof emergency light
- More robust alternator
- Forward lamp wiring harness
- Provision for cab roof mounted lamp/beacon
- Underbody shields
- Heavy-Duty front springs
The 2020 GM HD pickup truck range consists of the 2020 Silverado HD and 2020 Sierra HD. The vehicles offer a choice of two engines – the all-new 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline motor with 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque and the familiar 6.6L V8 L5P turbo-diesel Duramax rated at 445 horses and 910 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline V8 will be paired with GM’s 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission, while Duramax-powered models will receive an Allison-branded 10-speed automatic.
The Chevy will offer five trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ and High Country. Likewise, the GMC will offer five trims: base, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Sierra HD Denali trims. The lineup will include 2500HD and 3500HD capability variants, Regular, Double Cab and Crew Cab cab styles, as well as Standard and Long boxes. In addition, two chassis cab frame lengths will be offered.
The 2020 GM HD trucks will go on sale this summer, with pricing set to be released closer to launch.
Comments
In my area the VAST majority of commercial plow trucks and landscape vehicles are Ford or Ram, Chevy and GMC few and far between. When I have asked these guys about their choices their typical response has been that GM trucks not as durable in commercial use.
I can’t recall a single problem with the Chevy and GMC HDs relating to plow use ever happening with my dad, me, or uncle.
I DO know that my uncle’s Fords aren’t used for plowing, and he’s the only one that’s had to get front end work done. The solid axle ride quality isn’t very nice to the truck it’s attached to.
I can also say that when it comes to basic work trucks, you’d have a hard time finding a more reliable engine than the 6.0 Vortec.
Sounds like you’re the kind of guy with a VERY outdated opinion based on a very old version of GM’s HD trucks. Not to mention that some guys simply don’t know how to operate a plow correctly, leading to damage to the truck and plow.
Once GM switched to the GMT900 platform the front frame and IFS was much better built for the heavier plows guys use these days. Also, it’s not as though Ford and Ram don’t have front end problems caused by plowing snow. Especially these days with the “light-weighted’ SFA designs they use that aren’t nearly as heavily built as they once were, favoring a softer ride over all-out strength. The ball joints, track bars, bushings, and u-joints Ford and Ram use these days are complete junk.
I keep a pretty close tally on the brands I see being used as plow and landscaper trucks. In my part of Michigan I’d say about 60% Ford, 30% Ram and 10% GM. Most of these guys want solid front axles.
Not even close on your estimate. All three of our snow plow suppliers (F/W, B, and M) report 50 to 60% of their annual attachment bracket manufacturing has been for GM HDs. Ever since the chassis revision for 2011, gas engine GM HD have been the snow plow pickup truck of choice. Ability to adjust the torsion bar suspension front trim height with a 21mm socket wrench for in season plow weight then backing off at other times has been a significant benefit to fleets we service. In the last few years we have put brackets on several new GMs with the factory Duravis off road tire option which has saved some money on tire retrofits for the owners. Reports from Ford SD owners with the plow option is that they are too darn high for cab access for normal use, and running boards get too packed full of snow in storm conditions. Maybe the option of 7.3l gas will help Ford, and the increase in trim heights on the 2020 GM will hurt them, time will tell.
I’m amazed at the simple grammar mistakes I see in internet articles these days. Must be the distractions of working from home. With that said, I love to see the continuous Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge debate still going strong in the other comments. Let’s be honest, quality went way down hill in auto manufacturing after 2009, probably didn’t help when the US President broke the auto unions at the time. Sure didn’t make cars any more affordable. The 1990’s were probably the peek for quality, but it’s really bad now so those reputations are fast fading. Doesn’t matter whose sticker is on the grill. At least there’s still some restrained innovation happening once in a while, but that doesn’t help the poor schmuck ponying up 50k for something only built to last 4 years.
I ran cord trucks for years plowing snow and I was always rebuilding parts in the front end. I switched over to gm products for the last 18 years now and I have only replaced 1ball joint. I think it’s because of the CV joints in the gm products no binding when turning in 4 wheel drive,that relieves a lot of stress on the front axle.