If versatility, strength, and advanced technology top your must-haves in a heavy-duty truck, take a gander at the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD Chassis Cab. This powerhouse delivers all three and more, offering custom configurations aimed at meeting each driver’s needs. The spectrum of features and options includes a choice of engines and cab configurations, more than 3.5 tons of payload, a GCWR of up to 31,300 lbs (when properly equipped), a GVWR of up to 13,200 lbs, and OnStar® 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
POWERTRAIN FEATURES
A 6.6L Duramax® Diesel that’s rated at 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque is one of the 3500HD’s powerful engine choices. Cool airflow, drawn by an induction system through a scoop in the hood, contributes more horsepower. Fleet drivers will appreciate that this refined engine idles quieter than any other Duramax diesel offered in a Sierra HD. Tie the Duramax engine to an Allison 1000 6-speed automatic transmission, and drivers can select just the right gear to fit their needs. Another robust option is the Vortec 6.0L V8 that delivers up to 380 lb-ft of torque at 4,200.
“What sets GM’s chassis cabs apart is our dual fuel tanks are standard and not an extra cost,” says Dan Tigges, commercial product manager for GM Fleet. “Compared to heavy-duty pickup trucks, chassis cabs provide straight, flat C-channel frame rails with 60 inch or 84 inch cab-to-axle for ease of upfitting.”
CAB CONFIGURATIONS
Fleet drivers have a variety of needs when it comes to cab configurations, and this Sierra is geared to meet those needs with a range of choices. Configurations include a regular cab with a long box single rear wheel, or a long box dual rear wheel; a double cab with a long box single rear wheel, or a long box dual rear wheel; and a crew cab with a standard box single rear wheel, a long box single rear wheel, or a long box dual rear wheel. Options also include two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
To deck out and fully equip a Sierra 3500HD, business owners and fleet managers can choose aftermarket bodies, and other upfit options for the road ahead. Upfitting can tailor trucks for use as utility and service vehicles, dump trucks, snow plows/spreaders, and many more applications.
SMOOTH RIDE
A hydroformed, boxed, high-strength steel frame, and hydraulic body mounts, team up to diminish those unavoidable side-to-side and up-and-down vibrations. So, even with a heavy load in tow, operators and passengers experience a smooth ride.
STABLE AND SURE
Sierra’s electronic stability-control system detects and reduces traction loss, providing for a more stable ride. For stopping surety, the truck comes equipped with power four-wheel disc brakes, each with a 14-inch disc diameter, and twin-piston calipers. Duralife® brake rotors guard against corrosion, helping double rotors’ lives compared to conventional versions. Sierra’s Hill Start Assist system helps keep trucks from rolling backward when starting from a parked position on an incline. Sensors detect a minimum 5% grade, and hold the brakes momentarily or until the accelerator is pressed.
ONSTAR® AND MORE
Services include Automatic Crash Response, Run-by-Turn Navigation, Roadside Assistance, the AtYourService link to emergency services, and Remote Door Unlock. The OnStar Basic Plan is available for five years from delivery date, and includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Dealer Maintenance Notification, and myGMC Mobile App Services’ access, which places control of a vehicle into a driver’s hands, regardless of his or her distance from the truck. With a Basic Plan, the app allows remote engine start and stop (if factory-equipped); and the ability remotely to manage Wi-Fi hotspot (if equipped), lock and unlock doors, and activate the horn and lights, all from a mobile device.
“GM has the most-comprehensive connective services to fleet vehicles,” Tigges says. “Features like OnStar and 4G LTE Wi-Fi turn a truck into a mobile office.”
PRO GRADE PROTECTION
New Sierra 3500HDs are covered by GMC Pro Grade Protection, with two maintenance visits including oil and filter changes, a tire rotation, and a multi-point inspection.
TRIMS AND PACKAGES
A variety of available trims, packages, and accessories round out the options needed to make this Sierra the ultimate in a powerful, upfit-tailored vehicle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Find out more about the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD, visit www.gmc.com.
_______________________________________________________________________
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE
Did you enjoy this article?
Subscribe to the FREE Digital Edition of Modern WorkTruck Solutions magazine.
