Click to Enlarge.
Thank goodness the truck isn’t really a bigger behemoth, but the bed is larger so that Chevrolet can claim that the 2019 Silverado pickup has best-in-class cargo volume, box depth, box length at floor. There’s also a claimed segment-leading 12 fixed tie-downs and exclusive power up/down tailgate.
“The bed is the heart and soul of any pickup,” said Tim Herrick, executive chief engineer, Full-Size Trucks, General Motors. “We’ve added so many features and benefits that it deserves its own name – Durabed.”
Silverado now has 12 fixed tie-downs, and the strength of each of these has doubled from 113 kilograms (250 lbs.) to 227 kilograms (500 lbs.) of force before bending. An additional nine moveable tie-down points are optional as well for even more cargo flexibility. Together, these 21-total tie-downs are the most of any full-size pickup.
The accessibility of the tie-downs has also been improved. Tie-downs are now located at varying heights to offer customers greater versatility in what they can secure and haul.
The Durabed truck bed, standard on all 2019 Silverado 1500 models, also includes larger openings in the GM-exclusive CornerStep bumpers to better accommodate steel-toed and winter boots.
Durabed is also available with integrated, in-bed LED lighting and a 110/120-volt power outlet. A light at the top of the rear cab comes standard on all Silverado models
Tailgates
The 2019 Silverado 1500 will also be available with four tailgate variants:
- Standard gate: a manual gate with no lift assist; manually lockable (with key)
- Standard Gate with Lift Assist: a stamped gate that includes lift assist; manually lockable (with key)
- Power Lock/Release: includes lift assist and automatic release; power lockable
- Industry-exclusive power up/down: available on the LTZ and standard on High Country, the tailgate raises or lowers using the key fob, touchpads on the gate or button in the cabin. Includes lift assist, automatic release and power closing and locking.
After two days of evaluations, journalist members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) selected the 2019 Ram 1500 as Truck of Texas. TAWA journalists know their trucks, and they picked the new Ram as the clear winner” The award was presented Oct. 16 at the culmination of the Texas Truck Rodeo, presented by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), in which 69 journalists drove 57 vehicles and voted on winners across a range of consumer categories.
In addition to the Ram 1500 winning the overall prize, the 2019 Maserati Levante GTS won SUV of Texas and 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio took home CUV of Texas.