2026 vs 2027 Silverado HD Buy Now or Wait

Knudtsen Chevrolet› Blog› Electric Steering and eBoost Brakes: Why the 2027 HD Drives Differently The 2027 Silverado HD drives differently because GM swapped the hydraulic power steering for an electric system and added an electronic brake booster it calls eBoost. GM says both are firsts for the heavy-duty pickup segment. The new diesel gets the headlines, but when HD shoppers test drive one at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls, these are the two changes we expect them to notice first. Our 2027 Silverado HD overview covers engines, pricing and technology for the whole truck, and the Silverado HD trim levels page compares all six trims. For the full list of 2027 changes, see everything new on the 2027 Silverado HD. About 30% More steering power than the hydraulic HD system (GM) 14.6-inch Front brake rotors 4-piston Fixed front calipers 0 Power steering pumps, hoses or fluid New Inventory Pre-owned Inventory New Vehicle Specials Contact Us What is electric power steering on the 2027 Silverado HD? It's an electric rack-and-pinion system that replaces hydraulic steering, and GM says it has about 30% more power than the hydraulic gear on current HD trucks. There's no steering pump, no hoses and no fluid. The practical difference is that GM says the electric system delivers full assist regardless of engine speed. Think about backing a gooseneck into a tight spot at the shop, or working a plow truck back and forth across a lot at walking pace. That's low rpm, heavy front end, lots of steering input, and it's where the new setup should earn its keep. GM also says the system has redundancy built in. And because the assist is electronic, the truck can change how the steering behaves by drive mode, which comes up again below. What is eBoost? eBoost is GM's electronic brake booster for the 2027 Silverado HD, and GM pairs it with bigger brake hardware. GM says the new system shortens pedal travel and can catch problems like brake fade or a leak sooner. Brake system change What GM has announced Brake boost eBoost electronic brake boost, a segment first per GM Front rotors 14.6 inches, larger than before Front calipers New four-piston fixed calipers Rear brakes Upgraded hardware Pedal Shorter travel Driver assistance Supports Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking Diagnostics Detects fade or leaks sooner GM describes the brake hardware for the 2027 Silverado HD lineup. Detailed brake specifications by trim and configuration are not yet released. Shorter pedal travel is the part you'll notice on a test drive, especially if you're stepping out of an older HD you've driven for years. Why split steering and brakes apart? GM says the electric steering and eBoost together eliminate the shared hydraulic source that steering and braking used to rely on. In plain terms, the two systems no longer draw on the same fluid circuit. For owners, that means fewer parts in common between the two things you least want to lose on a loaded truck. Add GM's built-in steering redundancy and the earlier brake fault detection, and the design is clearly aimed at heavy, long-haul use. There's a maintenance angle too. With no power steering pump, hoses or fluid, there's no power steering fluid to top off. Bring the truck to our Knudtsen Chevrolet service department for its scheduled visits and ask our technicians what's changed under the hood. How do the new steering and brakes work with a trailer? In Tow/Haul mode, the 2027 Silverado HD adjusts both steering and brake boost for the load, and Chevrolet says it adds steering damping for better trailer control. Chevrolet's stated goal for that extra damping is trailer control. On the brake side, Tow/Haul works alongside the exhaust brake and grade braking so the service brakes do less of the work on long downhills. We cover that part in detail in our 2027 Silverado HD towing guide, including the I-90 passes east of town. Bigger rotors matter most here. A truck at its gooseneck limit with the 8.3L Duramax is asking a lot of its brakes, and that's where larger front rotors and fixed calipers earn their place. What is Terrain Mode? Terrain Mode is a one-pedal off-road setting on the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2. It works in 4HI and 4LO, and when you lift off the accelerator, the truck applies the brakes for you. GM says it's a first for its heavy-duty trucks. Off-Road mode is a separate setting that lets the wheels slip more before traction control steps in. Terrain Mode goes further and lets you control speed on slow, rough ground with one foot. Chevrolet lists Terrain Mode for the ZR2. See the ZR2 on our 2027 Silverado HD trim comparison. Do the new steering and brakes come on every 2027 HD? GM presents electric power steering and eBoost as part of the 2027 Silverado HD, not as trim options or packages. Chevrolet hasn't released full equipment lists by trim yet, so we'll confirm on the specific truck you're looking at. If you're deciding whether these changes are worth waiting for, our 2026 vs 2027 Silverado HD post weighs them against the trucks still available. Drive the 2027 Silverado HD in Post Falls Steering and brakes are hard to judge from a spec sheet. Browse 2027 Silverado HD inventory or ask our team to set up a drive so you can feel the difference yourself. Frequently Asked Questions Does the 2027 Silverado HD have electric power steering? Yes. The 2027 Silverado HD uses electric rack-and-pinion power steering in place of hydraulic steering. GM says it has about 30% more power than the current HD hydraulic system and gives full assist at any engine speed. What is eBoost on the 2027 Silverado HD? eBoost is GM's electronic brake booster. It shortens pedal travel, supports Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking, and can detect brake fade or a leak sooner. GM says it's a first for the heavy-duty segment. How big are the 2027 Silverado HD front brakes? GM lists 14.6-inch front rotors with new four-piston fixed calipers for the 2027 Silverado HD, plus upgraded rear brake hardware. Does the 2027 Silverado HD need power steering fluid? No. GM says the electric power steering system has no pump, no hoses and no fluid. What is Terrain Mode on the Silverado HD ZR2? Terrain Mode is a one-pedal off-road driving mode on the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2 that works in 4HI and 4LO. Lifting off the accelerator applies the brakes, and GM says it's a first for its heavy-duty trucks.

Knudtsen Chevrolet› Blog› Towing Up to 38,000 Pounds: 2027 Silverado HD Trailering Guide The 2027 Silverado HD tows up to 38,000 pounds, but that number belongs to one setup: the 8.3L Duramax with a gooseneck hitch. On a conventional hitch, GM rates the diesel at up to 20,000 pounds, and the standard 6.6L gas V8 maxes out at 19,000. Which figure applies to you comes down to your hitch, your engine and how the truck is built. This is how we walk trailer owners through it at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls. For the rest of the truck, see our 2027 Silverado HD overview. To see which trims and prices fit your budget, check the 2027 Silverado HD trim levels. 38,000 lbs Max gooseneck towing (8.3L Duramax) 20,000 lbs Max conventional towing (8.3L Duramax) 46,500 lbs Max GCWR, select configurations 14 Available camera views New Inventory Pre-owned Inventory New Vehicle Specials Contact Us How much can the 2027 Silverado HD tow? A properly equipped 2027 Silverado HD is rated at up to 38,000 pounds with a gooseneck and the 8.3L Duramax. Here's every towing and payload maximum GM and Chevrolet have published so far. Rating Engine Maximum Gooseneck towing 8.3L Duramax 38,000 lbs Conventional towing 8.3L Duramax 20,000 lbs Gross combined weight (select configurations) 8.3L Duramax 46,500 lbs Towing, any dual-rear-wheel diesel 8.3L Duramax 30,000 lbs or more Towing 6.6L gas V8 19,000 lbs Payload 8.3L Duramax 6,170 lbs Payload 6.6L gas V8 6,990 lbs Don't read 38,000 against 19,000 as a two-to-one gap. One is a gooseneck figure and the other is the gas engine's overall maximum. The closer comparison is the diesel's 20,000-pound conventional rating next to the gas engine's 19,000. Towing and payload ratings for each 2500 HD and 3500 HD configuration (cab, bed, single or dual rear wheels, 2WD or 4WD) are not yet released. Every figure above is a maximum for a properly equipped truck. Conventional or gooseneck: which setup do you need? If your loaded trailer weighs more than 20,000 pounds, you're looking at a gooseneck and the 8.3L Duramax. Under that, a conventional hitch may cover it: under 19,000 pounds either engine may work, and between 19,000 and 20,000 it's the diesel, depending on how the truck is configured. Horse and equipment trailers If your trailer is under 20,000 pounds, a conventional hitch can work. Under 19,000 pounds, either engine may cover it, since the gas V8 maxes out at 19,000. Between 19,000 and 20,000 pounds, it's the diesel, with its 20,000-pound conventional rating. If you also carry weight in the bed, the gas engine has the higher maximum payload rating at 6,990 pounds. Heavy goosenecks and flatbeds Past 20,000 pounds, it's the diesel. GM rates gooseneck towing at up to 38,000 pounds, and says every dual-rear-wheel diesel truck can pull 30,000 pounds or more. Fifth-wheel campers GM's figures are broken out for gooseneck and conventional hitches. Bring us your camper's weight and we'll confirm the rating for the specific truck once Chevrolet publishes configuration data. Remember that the weight a gooseneck or fifth-wheel puts into the bed counts against payload, so check both numbers. For a full engine-by-engine decision, read our 8.3L Duramax vs 6.6L gas guide. What does Tow/Haul mode change? Tow/Haul mode adjusts six systems together: engine response, shift timing, the exhaust brake, grade braking, steering and brake boost. Chevrolet adds that it firms up steering damping to help keep the trailer in line. That steering piece comes from the switch to electric power steering for 2027. Chevrolet says Tow/Haul increases steering damping for trailer control. On the diesel, GM upgraded exhaust braking and gave the Allison 10-speed new shift logic. Our 8.3L Duramax breakdown goes through the engine hardware behind it. Gas buyers get Tow/Haul too; the standard engine is covered in our 6.6L gas V8 post. Towing over Fourth of July Pass and Lookout Pass On long I-90 descents with a trailer, the 2027's job is to keep your service brakes from doing all the work, and it has three tools for that: the exhaust brake, grade braking and the eBoost brake system. Heading east out of Post Falls with a camper, you climb and drop over Fourth of July Pass, then do it again at Lookout Pass. On the way down, Tow/Haul lets the exhaust brake and grade braking hold speed so you're not riding the pedal. When you do need the brakes, eBoost works with larger 14.6-inch front rotors and four-piston fixed front calipers, and GM says the system can detect brake fade or a leak sooner than before. The diesel has one more long-haul change. GM redesigned the 8.3L's aftertreatment layout so the exhaust system can complete its cleaning cycles more easily during long tows. That matters on a full day of interstate with a heavy trailer behind you. If you tow both passes every summer with a big camper, the diesel's exhaust brake is the strongest single reason to pay the $11,400 for the 8.3L. That's our opinion. What trailering cameras and tech are available? The 2027 Silverado HD offers up to 14 camera views, including Transparent Trailer View, Bed View and Surround Vision. Transparent Trailer View Bed View Surround Vision In-vehicle trailering app Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert Trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring These features are listed as available. Which trims include them as standard is not yet released. Should you buy a 2026 to tow instead? A 2026 Silverado HD topped out at 36,000 pounds with the 6.6L Duramax, which may already cover your trailer. If your gooseneck is near the top of that range or you want the new steering and brakes for mountain towing, the 2027 is the better fit. Our 2026 vs 2027 Silverado HD comparison lays out prices and timing. Find the Right Towing Setup at Knudtsen Chevrolet Bring us your trailer's weight and hitch type and we'll match it to a truck. Browse new 2027 Silverado HD trucks, or send our team your trailer details and we'll confirm the rating before you buy. Frequently Asked Questions What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2027 Silverado HD? A properly equipped 2027 Silverado HD with the 8.3L Duramax tows up to 38,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch. Conventional towing is rated at up to 20,000 pounds, and combined weight at up to 46,500 pounds on select configurations. How much can the gas 2027 Silverado HD tow? The 6.6L gas V8 is rated to tow up to 19,000 pounds. It also carries the higher maximum payload rating in the lineup at 6,990 pounds. What is the conventional towing rating for the 8.3L Duramax? GM rates the 8.3L Duramax at up to 20,000 pounds with a conventional hitch. The 38,000-pound figure applies only to gooseneck towing. What does Tow/Haul mode do on the 2027 Silverado HD? Tow/Haul retunes engine response, shifting, the exhaust brake, grade braking, steering and brake boost for a load. It also increases steering damping to help with trailer control. How many camera views does the 2027 Silverado HD have? The 2027 Silverado HD offers up to 14 camera views, including Transparent Trailer View, Bed View and Surround Vision.

Knudtsen Chevrolet› Blog› 2027 Silverado HD ZR2: Terrain Mode, 35s and the 8.3L The 2027 Silverado HD ZR2 is Chevrolet's off-road heavy-duty, and for 2027 it adds Terrain Mode for one-pedal trail driving plus the option of the new 8.3L Duramax. The 2500 HD ZR2 starts at $77,695 including destination. If you want an HD that can tow during the week and climb a forest road on the weekend, this is the trim we point people to at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls. To see how the ZR2 lines up against the other five trims, use our 2027 Silverado HD trim levels guide. Our 2027 Silverado HD overview covers engines, towing and tech for the whole lineup. $77,695 ZR2 2500 HD starting price incl. destination 1.5 inches Factory suspension lift 35-inch Mud-terrain tires 555 hp Available 8.3L Duramax New Inventory Pre-owned Inventory New Vehicle Specials Contact Us What makes the ZR2 different from other Silverado HD trims? Chevrolet lists six off-road additions for the ZR2: a 1.5-inch factory lift, larger Multimatic DSSV dampers, a rear e-locker, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, aluminum skid plates and Terrain Mode. 1.5-inch factory suspension lift Larger Multimatic DSSV dampers Rear electronic locking differential 35-inch mud-terrain tires Aluminum skid plates Terrain Mode Edmunds reports the ZR2 sits 2.5 inches higher than a standard HD in total: 1.5 inches from the suspension and another inch from the bigger tires. That extra height is what clears ruts and rocks. If you load the bed by hand or climb in and out all day, stand next to one before you buy and see how the height suits you. How much does the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2 cost? The 2027 Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 starts at $74,900 MSRP, or $77,695 with the $2,795 destination charge, based on announced pricing. That's $1,400 more than the 2026 ZR2's $73,500 MSRP. 2500 HD ZR2 MSRP With destination 6.6L gas V8 (standard) $74,900 $77,695 8.3L Duramax (adds $11,400) $86,300 $89,095 The ZR2 sits just $500 below the High Country, so you're choosing between off-road hardware and top-trim luxury at almost the same price. Most buyers already know which camp they're in. 3500 HD pricing is not yet released. The figures above are announced 2500 HD pricing reported by Autoblog and TFLtruck; Chevrolet.com hasn't posted 2027 MSRP. How does Terrain Mode work on the ZR2? Terrain Mode lets you drive the ZR2 off-road with one pedal: press the accelerator to move, lift off and the truck brakes. It works in both 4HI and 4LO, and GM says it's the first time one of its heavy-duty trucks has offered it. Picture a rutted logging road in the hills around North Idaho, steep enough that you'd normally be shuffling your right foot between pedals. With Terrain Mode, you hold the accelerator to creep and ease off to slow down, and your attention stays on where the tires are going. The ZR2 also has Off-Road mode, which is a different tool. It loosens traction and stability control so the wheels can spin more in mud or snow. For more on the new steering and eBoost brakes, read our post on electric steering and eBoost brakes. Should you get the 8.3L Duramax or the 6.6L gas in a ZR2? Choose the 8.3L Duramax if your ZR2 will pull a heavy trailer; stick with the 6.6L gas V8 if it's mostly a trail truck and you'd rather keep the $11,400. The diesel makes 555 horsepower and 1,230 lb-ft, which GM rates best-in-class for diesel horsepower and torque. The gas V8 makes 412 horsepower and 472 lb-ft. Both use an Allison 10-speed automatic. If you're hauling a fifth-wheel camper to a trailhead, the diesel's torque and exhaust brake make the trip easier. If the ZR2 is a hunting rig or a snow-country daily driver, the gas engine does the job for a lot less money. ZR2-specific towing and payload ratings are not yet released. GM's lineup maximums (up to 38,000 pounds gooseneck with the diesel) may not apply to a ZR2. For the engine details, see our 8.3L Duramax explainer and our diesel vs gas comparison. For hitch types and lineup ratings, see our 2027 Silverado HD towing guide. ZR2 or the new Custom Trail Boss? If you want off-road ability for a lot less money, look at the Trail Boss package, which Chevrolet now offers on the Silverado HD Custom for the first time. The Custom starts at $53,295 with destination before the package is added. Equipment ZR2 Custom Trail Boss Suspension 1.5-inch lift, larger Multimatic DSSV dampers Z71 suspension with twin-tube shocks Tires and wheels 35-inch mud-terrain tires 20-inch wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires Underbody protection Aluminum skid plates Z71 skid plate Rear locker Rear e-locker Not listed Transfer case Not detailed Autotrac 2-speed Terrain Mode Yes Not listed Starting price $77,695 with destination $53,295 with destination, plus package Trail Boss package pricing is not yet released. The 2026 Trail Boss was offered on the LT and LTZ; whether those trims get it for 2027 is not yet confirmed. Our take: the Trail Boss is the right call for gravel roads, ranch tracks and deep snow. The ZR2 is for people who will actually use the locker, the dampers and the 35s. See the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2 at Knudtsen Chevrolet Check new 2027 Silverado HD inventory for ZR2 and Custom trucks, or reach our Post Falls team to order one built the way you want it. Still weighing the outgoing model? Our 2026 vs 2027 Silverado HD guide compares them. Frequently Asked Questions How much is the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2? The 2027 Silverado 2500 HD ZR2 starts at $74,900 MSRP, or $77,695 including the $2,795 destination charge. Adding the 8.3L Duramax brings it to $89,095 with destination. Can you get the 8.3L Duramax in the Silverado HD ZR2? Yes. The 8.3L Duramax is a $11,400 option on every 2027 Silverado 2500 HD trim, including the ZR2. The 6.6L gas V8 is standard. How much lift does the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2 have? The ZR2 has a 1.5-inch factory suspension lift. Edmunds reports it rides 2.5 inches higher in total once the extra inch from its 35-inch tires is counted. What tires come on the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2? Chevrolet lists 35-inch mud-terrain tires on the 2027 Silverado HD ZR2. What's in the 2027 Silverado HD Custom Trail Boss package? Chevrolet lists 20-inch wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, a Z71 suspension package with twin-tube shocks, an Autotrac 2-speed transfer case and a Z71 skid plate. Package pricing is not yet released.