As mentioned, our Extended Cab Chevy Sportside Silverado came with the 5.7-liter 210-hp V8. This is the truck version of GM's ultra tried-and-true 350 CID and ranks as one of the most reliable, durable engines in the business. Coupled with the four-speed automatic transmission, this pickup had neck-snapping power. Traveling light, you must watch your speed because it tends to want to go fast. This power train gives you the ability to haul serious cargo and trailers. You have a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a cargo capacity of 1,736 pounds.As for the time you'll spend driving between hauling and towing, this is a very pleasant truck. Sure you're driving a truck, but it acts like a car - a very powerful, substantial car. Ride and handling are very good. The truck was tight-free of rattles and road noise. Handling was excellent. Our truck was 218 inches long on a sizable 141.5-inch-wheelbase. It meant there was no choppiness in the smooth, stable ride. We had the sport handling package, including special springs and Bilstein gas shocks. The package stiffened up the ride some but provided rail-like tracking. We had an opportunity to try another 1994 Chevrolet Extended Cab Silverado (a Fleetside) with the same power train when towing a classic 30-foot runabout to a boat show. While we were very conscious of the combined truck/boat and trailer package-more than 45 feet long and weighing more than 16,000 pounds the truck handled it all without breathing hard. |
