Chevy is out for blood with its 2011 Silverado 3500HD one-ton pickup. More potent than either the Dodge Ram 3500 or the Ford F-350, this heavy hauler aims to take over the top spot in the heavy-duty truck market. An up-powered turbodiesel V8, fully boxed frame, and beefed-up suspension, as well as bulked-up brakes, make what appears on the outside to be a 2010 Silverado into a true beast of trailer-towing, payload-toting burden. This massive pickup is once more available in three trim levels - Work Truck, LT, and LTZ - all of which are available with part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) and dual rear wheels (DRW). The basic Work Truck and LT are additionally available with the 8-foot-bed-only Regular cab; 6½- or 8-foot bed, six-passenger Extended cab; or the four-door, five/six passenger Crew cab, also with either the 6½- or 8-foot bed, while the LTZ is unavailable with the Regular cab.

The standard engine for the 2011 Silverado 3500HD lineup is a carryover 320-hp, 6.0-liter gas V8 that, when managed by the six-speed auto-manual transmission, pounds out 380 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed additionally features brake hill holder and a rear locking differential. Fifth-wheel towing is claimed to be 16,000 pounds, while payload is rated at 6,335 pounds for the DRW trims. However, if a heck of a lot more power is needed, the up-powered 765-lb-ft/torque 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 should fit the bill. Mated with the new-for-2011 Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and standard exhaust brake, this animal boasts 397 hp and can tow up to 21,000 pounds on a fifth-wheel setup. Additionally, both engines come with standard auxiliary engine and transmission-fluid cooling.

In keeping with its sweat-oriented moniker, the base Work Truck trim level comes with standard 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl upholstery, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with four or six speakers, depending on the cab configuration. Extended and Crew cab trims lineup-wide also sport fold-down rear bench seats. The upscale LT, meanwhile, adds standard 18-inch polished alloys, premium cloth upholstery, power windows, door locks, and heated mirrors, cruise control, OnStar navigation and communications features, leather and simulated alloy cabin, steering wheel, and dash accents, a single-CD player, and XM satellite radio. Boasting its kingly status, the LTZ features standard leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front bucket seats, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, and seven Bose premium speakers.

Options across the lineup include heavy duty trailering equipment, a fifth-wheel trailer hitch, and an integrated trailer brake, with the Work Truck offering many of the standard items in the higher trims as optional equipment. The LT and LTZ trims are available with the Z71 Off-Road package, 6-CD changer, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, and power-sliding rear window. Options exclusive to the LTZ include a power sunroof, DVD navigation system, leather bench front seat (increasing passenger capacity to six), and rear-seat DVD entertainment.

Though favoring sheer mass, the 2011 Silverado 3500HD also sports such standard safety equipment as four-wheel disc ABS and daytime running lights across the board. The LT and LTZ additionally boast traction and stability control, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, OnStar safety management systems, a remote anti-theft alarm, and a post-collision safety system.

Suffice to say that many if not most issues that owners have with the 2010 Silverado 3500HD have been addressed in the beefed-up 2011 edition. Alas, for those to whom looks or cabin glitz is a problem, well, despite subtle changes there, as well, serious exterior and interior revisions seem to be a fair piece down the road.