Along with updates to the light-duty Silverado for 2027, Chevrolet has also revised its heavy-duty lineup. The main changes center on the two engine options, both aimed at keeping the Silverado HD competitive in the ongoing torque war.

After spending a day towing with both powertrains at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in a national forest outside Tucson, the conclusion is straightforward: most buyers probably do not need the diesel. The updated gasoline engine is more capable than many customers will ever require.

Maximum Towing With Minimum Weight

The new “Mongoose” 8.3-liter Duramax turbodiesel produces 1,230 lb-ft of torque. Depending on equipment, it can tow a gooseneck trailer weighing up to 38,000 pounds, while the truck’s gross combined weight rating reaches 46,500 pounds.

Reaching that maximum requires a regular-cab 3500 dually with the maximum towing configuration. Chevrolet had one available for testing, loaded nearly to the brim, and it proved to be a surprisingly pleasant tool for the job.

A truck configured this way is the sort of vehicle you know you need if you need it. Chevrolet kept the test on a closed course because driving at that weight on public roads would have required a commercial driver’s license. Even so, the truck accelerated briskly for its size, and the whole experience felt controlled rather than nerve-racking.

The only real reminder that a properly heavy trailer was attached came during gear changes from the 10-speed automatic transmission. The brief reduction in forward torque as the transmission shifted allowed the trailer to push forward slightly.

Maximum towing capability is only part of the equation. Comfort matters when a truck is expected to work for long periods, and the Silverado HD retains the features that make it livable. Air conditioning remains standard, the infotainment system can mirror a phone, and the seats are comfortable. There is also useful storage for the items that inevitably accumulate in a working truck.

A Weekend Heavy-Duty Warrior

The updated 6.6-liter gasoline V8 is not the same engine used in the light-duty Silverado, and it is now paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. That combination is a substantial improvement over the previous 6.6-liter gas engine with its six-speed automatic.

At this altitude, a naturally aspirated engine can lose some of its enthusiasm. The earlier combination felt poorly suited to the job, but the updated powertrain is far more convincing.

With an approximately 14,000-pound camper in tow, the gas-powered Silverado HD reached a high-altitude campsite without drama. It was not quick in the traditional sense, but it accelerated well enough to merge onto a freeway without leaving the driver white-knuckled.

For most people, most of the time, this is the powertrain to choose. If a gasoline-powered Silverado HD meets your towing requirements, choosing it should not mean accepting a poor towing experience.

All the Torque Ever Created

Switching to the Duramax and a heavier fifth-wheel camper immediately highlighted the difference. With the gas truck, acceleration at altitude was slow with the throttle down. The diesel, hauling a combined weight of around 26,000 pounds on the same road, accelerated much more quickly.

In that situation, the diesel’s acceleration was comparable to what you might expect from a compact car—albeit with a large truck and trailer attached. The Duramax also brings an exhaust brake, which provides useful engine braking on the way back down a grade.

The exhaust brake cannot replace the brake pedal when braking is required, but it helps the driver maintain speed downhill and reduces the amount of work demanded of the service brakes. Overall, the diesel inspires more confidence when towing, particularly at altitude.

Duramax or Gas?

If money is no object, choosing the diesel is easy. In the real world, however, the Duramax carries a considerable premium. Adding the 8.3-liter turbocharged diesel costs an additional $11,400.

There are also ongoing ownership considerations. Diesel fuel is more expensive, the engine requires regular fuel-filter changes, and the emissions system requires diesel exhaust fluid. That is a significant amount to spend for extra torque that many owners may never use.

The 2027 Silverado HD has other changes that make it easier to live with regardless of engine choice. Its independent front suspension helps with low-speed maneuverability, while new electronic power steering makes parking and tight turns feel remarkably effortless.

The trucks also receive a new infotainment system. The instrument cluster does not receive the same update, but the cabin still feels modern, with camera views and other features useful when towing or maneuvering a large truck.

The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD is one of the easier heavy-duty pickups to use every day. The improved 6.6-liter gasoline engine is the key takeaway: if it meets your towing needs, you may not need to spend extra for the Duramax to be satisfied with the experience.

Sources: CarScoops first drive; Chevrolet 2027 Silverado HD; Chevrolet Duramax diesel vehicles.