Chevy Silverado Medium Duty Trucks May Add 22.5-Inch Wheel Option: Exclusive
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GM is considering adding a new 22.5-inch wheel-and-tire package for the 2019 Silverado Medium Duty Chassis Cab truck line. The larger rolling gear would essentially create a dock-height version of Chevy workhorse. This latest bit of info comes to us courtesy of a source familiar with future GM and Navistar Medium Duty truck plans, who spoke to GM Authority on the basis of anonymity.
The current, 2019 Silverado Medium Duty truck is equipped with wheels that measure 19.5 inches in diameter and 6.75 inches wide. The extra three inches of height provided by a 22.5-inch wheel would give the Silverado Medium Duty truck the elevation needed to properly load and unload at a warehouse dock without the use of a dock leveler, thus enhancing the line’s usability and flexibility. The additional height would also streamline jobs that require the use of a forklift.
This latest rumor follows hot on the heels of another inside scoop brought to you by GM Authority stating that the Silverado Medium Duty truck line will get a new gasoline engine option in the near future. The new engine will likely be a variant of the 6.6L V8 L8T that was introduced with the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD and 2020 GMC Sierra HD.
Output from the new gasoline motor is currently unknown. The new eight cylinder is SAE-certified at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque when in the Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD applications.
Developed in conjunction with Navistar, the current Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty truck line includes the Silverado 4500HD (Class 4), Silverado 5500 HD (Class 5), and Silverado 6500HD (Class 6). Despite the “Medium Duty” nomenclature, these trucks slot above the current Silverado Heavy Duty line, which includes the Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD.
The Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty truck line, also known as the Silverado Chassis Cab, is used primarily in commercial applications, such as emergency vehicles, dump trucks, and towing rigs. Currently, the only engine offered in the Silverado Medium Duty is GM’s 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 L5D that makes 350 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque.
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Maybe they should concentrate on getting these things built and out to dealers first. So many dealers are waiting for them to arrive and customers waiting to see them (me included).
Roll out does feel a bit slow, but they are making their way to dealers and upfitters finally.
I think Chevrolet and International Harvester were pleasantly surprised at the amount of initial orders for this truck. The new gasoline engine and dock height chassis options are only going to increase demand for these rigs.
I’m waiting for mine as well. We’re five months into our latest order.
Dealers are getting them in, but most in my area are just receiving their orders placed from back in December. My order was just produced last Monday (5/13/19), but has yet to ship even though the GM transport invoice was set for a 5/17/19 delivery.
I was also looking forward to these but GM is not bringing them to Canada unfortunately
My employer has 3 on order, expecting delivery finished from the upfitter fourth quarter this year.
As a former medium and heavy duty cross border truck driver, the move up to the 22.5 inch wheels means that the extra weight carrying capacity will match the Ford F-650 and possibly the F-750 which can be rated just above and just below GVWR 33,000 pounds. Be very careful not to spec the truck at 33,000 pounds or more because all trucks at 33,000 pounds have a FET or Federal Excise Tax of 13 percent extra in the USA. The FET tax applies to both new and used trucks. You can get a 31,000 pound rated truck and save the extra FET money by ordering aluminum wheels, which saves fuel, looks better and boosts the resale value of any used truck. Most of these Class 7 trucks are not rated much above 29,000 pounds. Remember a heavier load requires bigger brakes, heavier suspension and steering parts as well as a heavier driveshaft and bigger, heavier rear gears. All that extra weight and higher ride height means more wind resistance, less MPG and handling isn’t as good. By the way, the 19.5 inch tires cost as much or more than the big 22:00 or 22.5 tires. Save money on highway tolls by ordering the doublewide single rear tires. This way you only get charged for 4 tires being on the road instead of 6 which can save hundreds of dollars a year in interstate tolls and also the bridge and tunnel tolls into NY city. You also save weight by having only two steel or aluminum wheels at the back as well with the very wide rear tires. Goodyear makes them as do about 3 or 4 other truck tire makers.
From a business stand point why would you not do this? If you want to compete, give customers options. I’ve seen one of the trucks in person, they are nicely done, probably the best SIlverado offered right now overall.
With majority of MD manufacturers, the change in wheel size from 19 5″ to 22.5″ wheels is done for the packaging of air brakes, and differentiates a Class 6 from a Class 7 truck. The majority of Class 6 and under MD (26k and under GVWR) are hydraulic brake with 19.5″ wheels, while Class 7 (over 26k GVWR) are air brake 22.5″ wheel. Ford F750 are an exception to this and have used hydraulic brakes at class 7 ratings, but not without issues. It can be difficult to comply with Federal FMVSS 105 hydraulic brake performance standards when the GVWR goes over 26k, so manufacturers will opt for 22.5″ wheel and air brakes, especially when the same class 7 chassis gets used over the 33k GVWR FET threshold. The majority of Municipal bid request proposals for Class 7 weight trucks specify air brakes as required equipment. An example of a Class 7 truck/tractor is the beverage industry, single axle day cab pulling a single dually axle trailer. They all tend to be 22.5″ wheel and air brakes on tractor and trailer, with a 33k GVWR and GCWR (yes, the same for both when put on cert lable).
Could GM/Navistar be exploring a Class 7 rating for this chassis? Air Brakes?
I think they are going for a 26,000 lbs GVWR for the Silverado 6500 HD.
The upcoming Class 7 and 8 Chevrolet truck (7500 and 8500) involves a collaboration with Navistar and their upcoming MV/Durastar replacement. That will probably not be using the 6.6L Duramax – at least not as the exclusive diesel option.
I would also guess that the Class 7 will use the taller Express cab instead of the Silverado cab. We probably won’t find out until 2021 or so. I think the expected launch is 2022 or 2023.
You are probably right, 26k GVWR max/22.5 wheel/ hydraulic brake. Pretty much what Hino does with the 258’s. Even if a 7500 were to be a GM/N JV, it would be nice to have another USA owned competitor for those class 7 M2’s.
My guess is GM would supply a gasoline engine for a Navistar JV class 7/8 truck, and the diesel would be a Cummins or MAN.
BTW, 22.5″ wheels may give enough clearance for 50+ gal. saddle fuel tanks.