GMC continues to offer trucks ready to meet fleet needs. There’s nothing like firsthand experience, which is exactly what we got when GM offered a 2014 Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab pickup truck to us for a test drive. The sibling to the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was fitted with a 5.3-liter V8 EcoTec3 355-HP engine mated to a six-speed automatic.
“Power and towing capacity are fundamental capabilities for full-size pickups,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for full- and mid-size trucks at GM, and the 2014 Sierra, with a 355-HP and 383-lb./ft. torque rating was certainly up to the task. Its optional Max Trailering Package features an automatic locking rear differential and a 9.75-in. rear axle with 3.73 ratio, increased-capacity rear leaf springs, revised shock tuning and an integrated trailer brake controller.
When it comes to work trucks, sometimes it’s the small things that matter most. GM Sierra Crew Cab users—a group the OEM says represents more than 60% of owners—can choose between 6-ft., 6-in. and 5-ft., 8-in. bed lengths. Sierra’s rear bumper now features corner steps that make climbing into the bed easier, regardless of whether the EZ Lift and Lower tailgate is up or down, and the steps are paired with grips formed into the top of each side. Four movable upper tie downs rated for up to 250 lbs. of load are standard and can be placed in nine locations.
Safety was not overlooked either. NHTSA tested crew cab models of the Silverado and Sierra, which are available with Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and a Safety Alert Seat that warns the driver of potential dangers using directional vibration pulses. A Rear Vision Camera with dynamic guidelines is also helpful, especially when backing fully loaded. Also available is a trailer-sway control system that senses trailer sway and intervenes with braking and/or reduced engine power to bring the trailer under control.
To offer fleets more choices, the engine portfolio for 2014 GM pickups, in addition to the 5.3-liter V8 in our test vehicle, includes a 285-HP, 4.3-liter V6 and a 420-HP, 6.2-liter V8, which also enables a 12,000-lb. maximum towing capacity. All members of the EcoTec3 family, the engines features direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on four cylinders during light-load operations.
For 2014 as well GM is offering Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD bi-fuel crew cab pickup trucks in standard and long-box and two-or-four wheel drive versions. The bi-fuel models run on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) and seamlessly switch between the two fuels for a combined range of 650 miles. A first-tier supplier installs the single-tank CNG system before the trucks are delivered to a dealer or an upfitter for fleet specified modifications.
GM is clearly investing heavily in its fleet truck models. The OEM’s full-size trucks underwent more than 6 million miles of durability evaluations in test facilities, over deserts and mountains and across frozen flatlands. In addition, the trucks accumulated more than seven million actual miles of road testing.
Earlier this year, the OEM also launched Business Elite, a commercial dealer program for fleets with up to 100 vehicles. Participating locations have teams of professionals trained to help select the right vehicles for different vocations. Every Business Elite service department has facilities, tools, equipment and certified technicians to meet business needs, including priority service and hours, 24/7 towing, work-ready loaner vehicles and financing, leasing and remarketing programs.
“We redesigned our business model around our customers’ needs,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of Fleet and Commercial Sales at GM. “Our dealerships have embraced the requirements and are ready to meet fleet qualifications.”
