GM Reveals their New 2020 GMC Sierra HD

With Chevrolet set to debut their new 2020 Silverado HD trucks in February, it was a safe bet that GMC would release their new 2020 Sierra HD around a similar time. While both the Silverado HD and Sierra HD share the legendary Duramax-Allison combination, these trucks have vastly different exterior appearances, different interiors, and different features. GMC just revealed their 2020 GMC Sierra HD and gave us a taste of what the new heavy duty GMC trucks have to offer. Here is what we’ll be missing out on until Late Summer this year, when they become available.

The New 2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Exterior

The new 2020 GMC Sierra HD received an exterior overhaul. The new Sierra HD is both taller and longer. The front of the truck features an elevated hood line and a new grille that helps aid in air induction. Door mounted tow mirrors provide drivers with power extending and retracting mirrors. All new segment-exclusive bed-side steps provide easier access to the bed and cargo. These bed-side steps compliment GMC’s existing Corner steps that are found in the rear bumper. The 2020 Sierra HD trucks also received the first ever six-function Multipro tailgate. Stay posted, we’ll be going over the new tailgate in another post.

New lighting including headlights, running lights, taillights, fog lights, and cab lights also adorn the truck, using LED technology for better illumination. The towing mirrors also come with available led lighting.

Interior Changes

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD also contains a new interior that proudly takes the trophy for best-in-class front head-room and leg-room for crew cab trucks. GMC owners will have a superior perspective of the road because of a new, higher seating position. A segment-first heavy-duty head-up display helps drivers pay greater attention to both the road and their truck. As if that wasn’t enough, Premium leather seating, authentic open-pore wood trim, and dark aluminum decor add to the luxury and interior appeal of GMC’s new 2020 Sierra HD.

New Technology on 2020 GMC Sierra HD Trucks

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD not only has a totally redesigned exterior and interior, but also a myriad of new features designed to provide customers with a premium truck that make life easier. Drivers who frequently tow will be thrilled with the addition of numerous technological additions geared towards towing. These new additions include a new ProGrade trailering system with up to 15 available trailer views, rear camera mirror, and an all-new smart trailer system to be used with compatible “Smart” trailers. We will go more in depth on the Sierra HD’s new technology in a following article.

A New Trim For The 2020 Sierra HD Lineup

The new heavy duty Sierra will also be available in a new trim, the AT4. The AT4 will provide GMC customers with superior off-road capabilities. AT4 trucks receive an off-road suspension, Rancho Shocks, skid plates, and an Eaton locking rear differential. 18″ or 20″ wheels mated with Michelin AT tires provide traction in a variety of terrains. AT4 trucks also come standard with a traction select system, hill descent control and hill start assist. Sierra HD AT4 trucks will also have some differences with their exterior and interior. We go over that in greater detail here.

2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Performance

Because this Duramax still produces 445 horsepower and 910 lb/ft of torque, we believe the 2020 GMC Sierra HD’s L5P engine has not received any major changes. However, GM is pairing the L5P Duramax with a new 10-speed Allison transmission for 2020 trucks. According to GMC, this will help keep the engine in an optimal range in all terrains and load conditions. GMC believes because of a new, stronger frame, trailer tech, and greater performance, the new Sierra HD will be capable of a tow capacity greater than 30,000 lbs.

2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually Pulling Trailer
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Dually Pulling Trailer

Don’t forget to keep up with us as we cover every aspect of these new Sierra HD trucks. They won’t be for sale until close to the 3rd quarter of this year. That means you have quite a few months to convince your wife that you need a new truck!

All Photos used were taken by GMC.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Debuts Next Month

Chevrolet has made some significant investments into diesel technology when it comes to their line of pickups. A couple of years ago, they added the 2.8L Duramax engine to their Colorado truck line. Last year, they released their new Medium-Duty pickup trucks in their 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD. Now, Chevrolet just announced their new body style 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Duramax trucks will debut in February. Chevrolet says the 2020 Silverado HD will be the most capable and advanced Silverado Heavy Duty to date.

A Truck Built Specifically For HD Silverado Owners

Chevrolet’s Chief Engineer of the Silverado HD, Jaclyn McQuaid, said, “We know the needs and priorities of heavy-duty owners are different than those of light-duty or medium-duty customers”. McQuaid continued, “As such, we built a heavy-duty truck tailor-made for them that has more differentiation than ever before from light-duty models, offers advanced towing technologies to improve towing confidence and includes new features such as the integrated Bedstep, which makes it easier to access the bed while pulling a fifth-wheel trailer.”

So, what does this all mean? Chevrolet is creating an almost entirely new product from their regular Silverado 1500 pickup trucks. In fact, the only exterior component shared in common between the two is the roof panel. This new 2020 Silverado HD is built on the wants and needs of their Heavy-Duty consumers, and will feature new trailer technology features and both a higher payload and towing capacity. The interior will also stand to benefit from the body-style change. There will be an added 3 inches in leg room and a new seating position in crew cab models.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Performance

The new 2020 Silverado HD has several changes performance too. An all new direct injection Gas Engine will be introduced. This new motor will work in conjunction with a Six-Speed transmission. The L5P Duramax engine will also be paired with a new Ten-Speed Allison Transmission, producing a whopping 910 lbs/ft of torque.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Exterior

If you’re familiar with the 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD Duramax Trucks, you can point out the differences fairly easily. Chevrolet has changed these new 2020 Silverado HDs from top-to-bottom. In the pictures above, you can clearly see the new body styling, grille, lighting, bumpers, and the mirrors that have been Instagram’s latest truck controversy. Steps have been added to the side panels of the truck’s bed. This allows easier access to the bed of the truck. Now, we have only seen Chevrolet’s High Country edition HD so far. We’ll be updating our posts as soon as we have more information.

Keep In Touch With Us

While the new Silverado HD is making its debut In February, it won’t be for sale until mid-2019. We should have a lot more information about these trucks in the next two weeks. GMC and RAM are also releasing their new Heavy-Duty trucks. Make sure you stay posted!

All Photos Courtesy of Chevrolet.

New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD

I know, we’re a little bit late to the party. GM released their new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD last year. But we’re writing this article as these new trucks are finally being shipped to dealers nationwide. I actually just saw my first one in person the other day driving down I-75, so I decided now is as good a time as ever to bring some attention to these new workhorses Chevrolet designed to meet the needs of their Commercial customers.

Features of Chevrolet’s New 2019 Medium-Duty Trucks

As an avid diesel truck enthusiast, I love when auto manufacturers release a diesel truck that just seems to be a little bit badder than the rest of them. Chevrolet just released their brand new 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD, and no, they don’t look anything like their new 2020 Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD relatives. The only exterior feature these two different segments share is the iconic Chevrolet bowtie.

Chevrolet claims that this truck is the most customer-centric Medium Duty truck of any major competitor. Powered by a 6.6L Duramax Motor, and an Allison transmission, these new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HDs, 5500HDs, and 6500HDs are up to whatever task you throw at them. Not only do they feature GM’s legendary Allison-Duramax Powertrain combination, but they also have many of Chevrolet’s latest connectivity innovations. These include OnStar, 4G Wi-Fi, Wireless cell phone charging, Bluetooth, and Apple Carplay and Android Auto Support. Optional factory-installed rear air suspension gives the truck a more comfortable ride both on and off-road. Triple-sealed, inset doors dampen noise while driving, and at the job site. These features make Chevrolet’s new 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD not only a very capable work truck, but a very capable mobile office as well.

As you can imagine, trucks this large can oftentimes be difficult to drive because of their poor turning radius and the driver’s lack of visibility. With these trucks, Chevrolet introduced up to 50-degree wheel cuts, to make sure these trucks can maneuver easily. The lightweight, contoured hood was designed to make sure the driver has maximum vision of the road. Speaking of the hood, they were designed with a front hinge, resulting in a “Clamshell” design. When opened, instead of opening up and to the rear, the hood pulls forward. This makes working on these trucks vastly superior to trucks featuring a standard hood design. Technicians can easily access everything under the hood, and service these trucks without having to use a ladder or climb on top of the truck.

The New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500 HD, and 6500HD are Highly Customizable.

The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD allow for a wide variety of cargo boxes and flat beds. They did this by creating seven different Cab-To-Axle choices, from 60 inches all the way to 162 inches. Chevy’s new medium duty trucks also have five different axle-to-back-of-frame lengths. These trucks also come in a single cab, or crew cab configuration. No matter what your business needs, these new medium-duty trucks can be outfitted for you.

Make Sure You Stay Tuned

Stay tuned! We will be writing about and featuring the new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HDs on our site as soon as we possibly can. All photos used are courtesy of Chevrolet. Find out more about these new Medium-Duty trucks on Chevrolet’s Site here.

New 2019 6.7L Cummins Engine

Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen GM and Ford make some big strides towards achieving close to 1,000 torque, but they both felt just a tad short. Ram, with their 5th generation heavy duty trucks, partnered with a newly designed 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, have shattered the 1000 ft/lb threshold. Don’t forget, unlike Ford and GM trucks, Cummins horsepower and torque numbers can be different between trim levels. Only the 2019 Ram 3500 equipped with the Aisin transmission is capable of 1,000 torque. Even with that being said, the 6.7L platform as a whole, received some significant changes! Find out what changed with this new 2019 6.7L Cummins engine below!

New 2019 6.7L Cummins Engine Improvements

  • Higher Capacity High Pressure Pump
  • CGI Block: The block is created of Compacted Graphite Iron to not only vastly improve cylinder pressure capabilities, but they managed to reduce the weight of the new 6.7L Cummins motor by almost 60 pounds!
  • Cast Iron Cylinder head with high temperature exhaust valves.
  • High Strength Alloy CrankShaft that feature a 10-bolt crank flange.
  • New forged connecting rods and bearings 
  • New VGT: A new variable geometry turbocharger featuring HD bearings, and a brand new compressor-side housing that is capable of up to 33 PSI of Boost.
  • New Exhaust Manifold 
  • New Fuel Delivery System made up of a new 29,000 PSI fuel pump & a new fuel rail with Cummins filtration system featuring NanoNet technology
  • New Enlarged Intercooler

New 6.7L Cummins Motor Gallery

With the 5th Gen Ram heavy duty trucks, Ram changed a lot more than just their 6.7L Cummins Motor. They drastically changed the interior, redesigned the exterior, and added some really cool features. Make sure you stay tuned, we’ll be regularly posting about the new 5th Generation Cummins!

Want to Find out more About the New 6.7L Cummins?

Find out more about the new 2019 6.7L Cummins Engine by clicking here.

New 2019 6.7L Cummins Turbodiesel Engine

5th Gen Cummins Resources

New 2019 Cummins Equipped Ram Heavy Duty Trucks Unveiled

Ram just revealed their new heavy duty trucks at the Detroit International Auto Show. It’s been a long time coming. Unlike Ford or GM, Ram and Cummins have had the tendency to release a new “Generation” truck with a new motor about every every 6-8 years. This is much later than Ford or GM have traditionally done. Ford only had their 6.0L Powerstroke for 5 years, followed by their 6.4L Powerstroke for only 2 years! Between 2001 and 2008, GM had the LB7, LLY, LBZ, and LMM Duramax! This new 5th Generation Ram is coming 10 years after the release of the 4th generation cummins trucks! That really says something about the success Ram has had with the 4th gen. It’s proven itself to be an incredibly reliable, torque powerhouse that stayed true to Ram’s “Big Rig” look. It really set the bar high for whatever was to come next. So, do the 5th generation Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks meet our expectations?

$H1T, they certainly met my expectations.

I attend the big auto show at the Orlando Convention center every year, and this year they had the new Ram 1500 trucks available to test drive on an indoor course! I let my girlfriend drive the course because i’ve been warming her up to the idea of trading in her Mazda CX-5 for something more useful, AKA, a truck. The Ram 1500 was so impressive. It was quiet, which for her is a big deal, it had a 360 degree camera, the rear seats reclined (something only the megacab models featured), and it had a 12″ entertainment center. Ever since I had the chance to get up close with the new Ram 1500s, I have been eagerly anticipating the release of the 5th generation cummins. Add this experience to the fact that Cummins  equipped trucks are my personal favorite, it got to the point where I couldn’t wait any longer. I literally had the unveiling scheduled on my google calendar so I could watch it live.  Anyways, back to what you really want to know. What is up with the new 5th Ram Heavy duty trucks? Here is our breakdown of what makes the 5th Generation Cummins so special.

First to Break 1000 lb/ft Torque from the Factory 

With Ford’s latest 6.7L Powerstroke and GM’s new L5P, Ram was behind the pack a little bit. Not any longer. This new Cummins motor cranks out 400 horsepower and 1000 lb/ft of Torque when paired with the Aisin 6 Speed Transmission. This is the first time a vehicle in this segment has hit that torque number from the factory. When paired with the standard non-aisin transmission, the new Ram Heavy Duty trucks make 370 horsepower and 850 torque. The new Cummins motor underwent some major changes to reach these numbers. Find out more by clicking here.

2019 New 6.7L Cummins Motor
2019 Ram Heavy Duty – 6.7-liter I-6 Cummins with 400 hp and 1000 lb.-ft of torque

Ram Trailer Technology on New 5th Gen Cummins Trucks

I’m sure many of you have seen the ford commercials with their trailer technology and their ability to back-up a trailer by itself. While I will admit, it is pretty cool, I tow many different trailers so for me to go through the hassle of setting up every individual trailer is just unrealistic. When Ram revealed their new 5th Generation Ram 2500 and 3500, they said they’re focusing on features that Ram truck owners want and are easily accessible. Ram trucks have featured the high mounted LED camera for a while now, my latest Ram 2500 is equipped with it. Now, some Ram trucks will have a bed lowering feature. This will be a huge help to truck owners who tow frequently, especially with a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer. In addition to this, they also added some unique features like trailer tire pressure monitoring and an auxiliary camera hook-up that can be connected to a camera on the back, or inside of your trailer. 

Newly Designed Interior of 2019+ Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Trucks

Ram revamped the interior of the 5th Gen Cummins trucks to match their new 1500s. They’re designed with premium materials and feature some things like new storage areas, and a customizable gauge pack. With this generation, they also made big strides in terms of noise control. Cummins are loud trucks, personally that is one thing I like about them. Ram managed to reduce noise by 10 decibels on these new trucks. I actually got to witness this first hand at the auto show in Orlando. We drove up to a station where they had a big speaker blaring music towards the truck. They then showed you the difference when you have your window open versus when it is closed. What a difference! This is a feature we really think you guys who are at noisy job sites will enjoy. What is our favorite part about Ram’s new interior? The more luxurious models now come with a 12″ display screen that make this Ram’s interior more closely resemble a Tesla, than a full sized heavy duty truck. 

5th Generation Cummins New Safety Upgrades

As technology advances, we are getting some really impressive features added to our trucks. On these new Ram trucks, they have added fully adaptive cruise control with a full stop feature, as well as forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking as some available safety upgrades. They also added one really cool feature for your dually guys out there, back-up sensors that recognize dually fenders. This new feature could save you an expensive bill for some body work! The coolest part about all this? These features all work while pulling a trailer!

Form Meets Function with 5th Generation Ram’s newly designed Exterior

The 5th Generation Ram Heavy Duty trucks got some major exterior upgrades that play a role in helping performance too. A newly designed RAM Grille that is 30% larger feeds a new 39″ huge radiator. Ram improved this new generation to lead this segment with only .49 drag. New LED taillights provide better vision when backing up at night. The new Ram headlights also have an available directional control options, helping you to see better at night. Pretty neat feature for a pick-up!

Check Out The Reveal of the New Ram Heavy Duty Truck Here!

Interested in the new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty trucks? Find out more about the new Ram trucks by clicking one of the pictures below! They will take you straight to the Ram Site so you can explore these trucks on your own!

2019 Ram 2500 Badge
2019 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 badge
2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Badge
2019 Ram Heavy Duty 3500 badge

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EGR Superguard Hood Shield Product Review

Bug guards play an important role where we’re at in Central Florida. Love bugs are out in swarms when it’s hot, and when they hit your car, they leave a big mess. Love bug “remains” are acidic and if left on your truck, they can damage your paint. The front end of your truck is really vulnerable to not only bugs, but rocks, stones, and other objects that can damage your truck when you’re driving on the highway too. So even if you don’t live where there is an infestation in Love bugs, it’s still a smart investment. I just bought myself the EGR Superguard Hood Shield to protect my new 2018 Cummins. Here’s what I think so far.

EGR Superguard Bug Shield 2018 Ram 2500
EGR Superguard Bug Shield on 2018 Ram 2500 Mega Cab

Dee Zee Tailgate Assist Product Review

GM did something fantastic when they implemented their EZ lifting and lower tailgates. Duramax owners no longer have to deal with slamming tailgates, and they can easily lift their tailgate back up. You don’t realize how nice of a feature it is until you have it. About two months ago, I traded in my L5P for a Cummins. I love my Cummins, but I quickly realized I had reverted back to a primitive tailgate. Fortunately for me, RealTruck just hooked me up with a Dee Zee Tailgate Assist. The Dee Zee tailgate assist was designed to give you similar results as GM’s EZ lift and lower tailgates, without breaking the bank. Here are my thoughts after installing  Dee Zee’s Tailgate assist and having it on my truck for a couple of days. 

Dee Zee Tailgate Assist package /w Components
Your Tailgate Before A Dee Zee TailGate Assist
Your TailGate After The Dee Zee Tailgate Assist

Dee Zee Tailgate Assist

Have you owned one of the newer Duramax trucks? Their EZ lift and lower tailgate is a luxury every diesel truck owner can appreciate. With the use of an internal torsion bar, the EZ lift and lower tailgate makes raising and lowering the tailgate almost effortless. A rotary damper also controls the fall of the tailgate, so you can open the tailgate and let go without slamming it. While only the Duramax trucks come equipped with this feature from the factory, there is an aftermarket part for less than $40 that will give you similar features, the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist!

The Dee Zee tailgate assist is a quick fix for heavy and slamming tailgates. This product uses a gas dampened shock to not only slow the fall of your tailgate significantly, but it also helps you close your tailgate easier. Dee Zee built these specifically for each make and model truck, so there is no headache when it comes to installation. It is completely bolt on, and all hardware is included. It even comes with a three year warranty. Here is a full breakdown of the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist.

To buy the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist, visit RealTruck.

Features

  • Stops slamming tailgates
  • Makes lifting tailgate easier
  • Works with factory cables and tailgate components
  • Not universal, instead it’s specifically made for your truck
  • Easy Installation
  • 1 Dee Zee tailgate assist needed per vehicle

Warranty

  • 3 Year Warranty

Installation

  • Easy, Bolt-on Installation
  • Works together with factory components
  • 20 Minute Maximum Install time 
  • Easy-to-follow Installation Instructions Included

Check out our full review of the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist By Clicking Here.