TFLtruck presents the Ike Gauntlet HD extreme towing test – Dually Edition, featuring the updated 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD with the well-known 6.6L Duramax V8. This is the high-end LTZ model with lots of chrome on the outside and a luxurious interior.
This 6.6L turbo-diesel is unchanged and still produces 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm and maximum 765 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm. Interesting note: the maximum rpm of the engine is 3,450 under power, and a whopping 4,800 rpm under braking.
The Heavy Duty version of the Ike Gauntlet is setup to test HD pickup trucks near their payload and towing capacities. This configuration of the Silverado 3500 HD is rated at a maximum of 5,205 lbs of payload. And the specification sheet states that it can handle a maximum towing load of 19,600 lbs with a bumper pull or 22,600 lbs with a gooseneck or 5th-wheel.
Getting the front and rear axle load right is very important and we used the Certified CAT scale to check the load on each axle. What is the damage? Well, the fully loaded weight was 27,760 lbs GCWR of the truck, two trailers, and one person. This test pushed 91.8% of maximum allowed 30,500 lbs Gross Combined Weight Rating. The 5,040 lbs on the front axle was well within the maximum of 5,600 lbs. The rear axle was loaded with 2,000 lbs of payload weight for a total of 5,740 lbs (way under the max allowed of 9,375 lbs. The two-trailer setup is very unique in how it distributes the weight. The second bumper-pull trailer has an approximate 1,000 lbs of tongue weight which was effectively raising the gooseneck connection off the truck. This is the reason why our gooseneck tongue weight was less than it would be otherwise (with one trailer).
How will it handle towing the extra heavy duty load up and four trailer axles up a mountain, near capacity, and at over 11,000 feet above sea level?
| 2015 Chevy Silverado HD | |||
| Model | 3500 Crew Cab 4×4 | ||
| As Tested $ | $65,310 | ||
| Engine | 6.6-liter V8 | ||
| Transmission | 6-speed Allison | ||
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 397 / 765 | ||
| Payload Rating (lbs) | 5,205 | ||
| Tow Rating (lbs) | 19,600 / 22,600 (3.73 axle) | ||
| Test Load (trailer + cargo + ppl) | 19,250 lbs | ||
| Suspension Sag | 0.5 in | ||
| Ambient Temp F | 60F | ||
| Relative Humidity | Low (25%) | ||
| Barometric Pressure (at top) | 19.76 inHg | ||
| Calculated Power Loss | 33.3 % | ||
| Down: Brake Temp (Front / Rear / Trailer) F | 408 / 227 / 87 & 91 | ||
| Down: Transmission Temp | normal | ||
| Up: Time | 9:59.55 (20 sec traffic) | ||
| Up: MPG | 3.0 | ||
| Up: Interior dB | 69 | ||
| Up: Transmission Temp | normal | ||
Here is the full video of the Silverado 3500 Ike Gauntlet HD – Dually Edition.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFL since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.
