2017 Chevy Silverado 3500
The 2017 Chevy Silverado 3500 is a full sized heavy duty pickup truck available with either four or rear-wheel drive, three bed and three cab configurations, the choice of a gas or diesel V8 engine, and the option for a single or dual wheel (AKA "dualie") rear axle. New for this model year is a new hood scoop and air intake system to help the beastly Duramax V8 maintain power and speed under harsh towing and hauling conditions. Standard with the 2017 3500 HD is an iron-block Vortec 6000 0.0L gas V8, which can be configured as a bi-fuel gasoline and CNG (compressed natural gas) or a pure CNG engine. This gas V8 outputs 360hp and 380lb-ft of torque. The optional 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel V8 delivers 445hp and 910lb-ft of torque - that’s a 19% increase over the previous Duramax. Properly equipped, the 2017 Silverado 3500 can haul payloads of up to 7,152lbs and tow 22,900lbs.
DIY Z71 Off-Road Capability
The Z71 Off-road is one of the packages available with the 2017 Silverado 3500, but if you’re looking to add in the same functionality courtesy of the aftermarket, there’s no shortage of options. One of the best ways to ensure off-road capabilities is swapping in a set of new tires. Most Silverados are shipped with all-season tires, a fairly cost effective, long-lasting tire that provides solid performance in wet and dry conditions with off-roading capabilities as well. Their tread pattern produces lower rolling resistance and a comfortable ride with low road noise. With the Z71, you’d be getting a set of all-terrain tires. Their more pronounced, elevated and aggressive tread pattern is much better suited for most off-road adventures, as the widely sculpted grooves will easily shed water, snow and mud. Road performance isn’t terrible either, thanks to modern-day radial tire compounds, but because of their aggressive tread pattern, road noise is louder and life-span shorter than their all-season counterparts. If you’re looking for a tire with the most off-roading abilities, then the mud-terrain is likely your best bet. A truly heavy-duty tire, these feature an extremely rugged tread pattern and huge self-cleaning grooves. To withstand the toughest of trail debris, mud tires will usually feature a 3-ply design meaning they are much less susceptible to puncturing. When it comes to road noise and life span, you’re looking at the higher and lower ends of their respective spectrum. When selecting your tire of choice, make sure they are compatible with your Silverado’s gross axle weight rating (GAWR), to ensure the tires can handle not just the weight of your truck but any extra load placed on the axles as well. You’ll need a tire with at least half your GAWR - two tires per axle to share the load.
Extend your Bed
A Silverado 3500 is a workhorse designed for towing and hauling, and yet there are still additional ways to really optimise those inherent capabilities. A bed extender for example, can provide an extra 2-feet of enclosed cargo space, particularly helpful in maximizing the capacity of 5.5" Silverado beds. With your tailgate flipped open, the V-shaped design of a bed extender will allow for safe use of that extra space, and with it flipped inwards instead, can add a "pocket" of extra storage to keep items from slipping all the way to the front of the bed. Its torque-resistant clam-shell design is constructed from durable yet lightweight aluminum alloy tubes with a powder coat finish frequently in either black or silver. To install, some drilling is necessary but all-in-all shouldn’t take longer than an hour.
