If you’re a farmer, you’re probably aware there’s a big difference between the Silverado 1500 and 3500 models. The 3500 has been the ideal farm truck for years, offering the highest tow capacity and more bed space than any other Chevy truck. That said, you’ll notice that the 2022 Silverado 3500 model has more in its arsenal than ever before. By offering this new model, your Chevy dealership can change the way you farm forever. While power is an excellent selling point, so is functionality and tow-technology. When you invest in a new Silverado 3500 HD, every laborious farm task you must complete will become simpler, and, dare we say, fun.
The Diesel Engine Is the Best Choice for Farmers
While the Silverado 1500 includes several engine options, it takes quite a bit more to power the 3500 HD model. As a result, you have two engine options—the Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel engine, and the 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine. A few key differences between these engines make the Duramax option better for farming. First off, the Duramax engine has a 36,000-pound max tow capacity, whereas the V8 can only tow up to 17,370 pounds. While that’s still plenty, you want the most available power. Furthermore, you’re going to see much better fuel economy ratings with the diesel option.
The only power aspect that the V8 has over the diesel engine is payload capacity. You can haul a little under 1,000 pounds more with the V8 option. Otherwise, your best bet for farming is to go with the diesel truck. It provides 445 horsepower and up to a massive 910 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it’s paired with a 10-speed Allison transmission. Compared with the V8’s 464 pound-feet of torque and 6-speed transmission, well, there truly is no comparison.
More About the 3500’s Tow Capacities
Keep in mind here that tow capacity does vary depending on your truck’s configuration. For example, when you pair a crew cab with a long box, you’re looking at a max 21,330 pounds with the diesel engine. However, when you pick a regular cab with a long box, you’re able to hit that 36,000 pound mark with your gooseneck hitch—this same configuration with conventional, tow-behind trailering maxes out at 20,000 pounds.
This isn’t a bad thing, though. It’s very unlikely that you’re going to need more than 20,000 pounds of conventional towing capability. Most heavy trailers use gooseneck hitches anyway. This is true for livestock trailers and large cargo/equipment hauling trailers. Interestingly enough, the conventional tow capacity and gooseneck tow rating for a V8 regular cab, long box model doesn’t change at all. You can tow up to 16,800 pounds with this setup, and it doesn’t matter if we’re talking conventional or gooseneck towing. Overall, it’s still apparent that the diesel engine comes out ahead here.
Game-Changing Towing Technologies
Most farmers like to keep it simple. You see many people buying older farm trucks because they’re not interested in all the fancy technologies that come along with newer models. While this isn’t the case for everyone, it is a common concern among truck buyers. The good news is that you can buy the lowest, tech-free 3500 trim and still add on what you need—trailer technologies.
The Advanced Trailering System makes towing even easier by creating custom profiles for each trailer you own. Let’s say that you own a large livestock trailer, a small livestock trailer, and a boat trailer. When you create profiles for each trailer, you can select the one you’re using at the time and skip re-configuration. The app includes a load calculator and even a trailer light test feature. You’ll also get a Pre-Departure Checklist that reminds you of important trailering requirements, like making sure your trailer brake lights are hooked up, for example.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500 also comes with up to 15 different camera views and 4 different hitch-specific views. These hitch views include a close-up view of your hitch, a top-down surround view, a rear top-down view that zooms in closer to your truck bed, and a bed-only view. This isn’t even to mention the other 11 view options, which include the transparent trailer view, the rear trailer view, and even the inside trailer view. That’s right, you can even monitor your livestock via the Silverado’s camera system.
Exterior Functionality
When you’re a farmer, towing is important, but sometimes you’ll find yourself hauling smaller items in your truck bed. This is where the Silverado 3500’s Multi-Flex Tailgate comes in. This feature includes 6 different perks:
- The Primary Gate – Your typical tailgate, but electric. This comes with a remote open option, as well as an open button located in the truck’s interior, and another one in the truck bed.
- The Primary Gate Load Stop – Sometimes you need to haul something that’s longer than your closed bed. The Primary Gate Load Stop is there to help hold these items in place.
- Easy Access – You can fold down the inner gate, giving you more reach space to access truck bed items.
- The Full-Width Step – Capable of holding as much as 375 pounds; this feature makes it easier to load and unload items. Simply fold down the inner gate and watch it turn into a retractable step.
- Inner Gate Load Stop – This does the same as the Primary Gate Load Stop, except it’s designed specifically for second-level items.
- Inner Gate with Work Surface – When you’re parked and ready to do some calculating, cutting, or sawing, the Inner Gate Work Surface is ready for you. It includes handy features like a cup holder, laptop holder, and even a built-in ruler.
The Multi-Flex Tailgate pairs well with the Duramax’s Durabed. It includes a 120-volt outlet for charging for powering tools and other items. You’ll also get 12 cargo tie-downs and LED bed lighting. When choosing the long bed option, you’ll get as much as 83.5 cubic feet of cargo space and up to 69.5 cubic feet with the standard bed option.
Don’t Waste Your Time With Other Truck Options: Choose the 2022 Silverado 3500
There are a few other large, farm-ready trucks on the market. However, to say that you can get this much power paired with all this functionality for this price elsewhere would be a lie. One of Chevy’s strongest competitors, Ford, offers an F-350 with similar specs. But its max tow capacity maxes out at 35,750, yet its starting MSRP is higher than the Silverado’s.
The new 3500 HD truck also offers a technology not seen in the competition, such as tow-compatible hands-free driving. GM’s new SuperCruise feature also works when you’re towing a trailer, resulting in safer and easier highway travels. While this isn’t a required feature, it is available to those who want it.
Chevy doesn’t make a work truck trim for nothing—this brand has been dedicated to labor fields for decades, and the new 3500 HD model emphasizes this more than ever before. Overall, we can’t say that there aren’t other capable trucks geared towards the farming industry out there, but the best all-around deal is the 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500 model.
