Long-Term Update 2: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado

Since its last update two months ago, the Silverado has accrued 2113 miles, thanks in large part to road trips to Arizona and California's Eastern High Sierra. Truck Trend editor Mark Williams, armed with an invitation to drive the all-new Toyota Highlander in Phoenix, commandeered the Silverado for the trek to the Grand Canyon State. But rather than just hop in and go, Williams opted to test the Chevy's payload prowess; thus, he loaded the bed with about 1200 pounds of boxed rock salt. "The Silverado handled the weight well," he says, adding that "there was no tail-dragging at all, the steering never felt heavy or sluggish, and it seemed like it could've handled another 500 pounds with no problem."

Much of the Silverado's payload adeptness can be attributed to the robust GMT900 platform, but some due must go to the stout 6.0-liter V-8, which, in addition to providing 367 horsepower and 375 pound-feet, can deliver impressive fuel economy. "On the way to Phoenix, I got 18 mpg, even with all that weight in the bed," notes Williams. "I kept speeds between 70 and 75 mph for the entire leg, eagerly watching the cylinder-deactivation readout in the message display. Over the flat sections-and I did have a little tail wind-the 6.0-liter stayed in four-cylinder 'fuel saver' mode unless I hit a grade. But even when I was confronted with a slight incline, it still remained in four-cylinder mode. Round trip, I only had to fill up twice-and we're talking about a 6.0-liter V-8, a four-speed automatic, and a 3:73:1 axle ratio-just imagine what it would do with the Escalade's six-speed."

Photographer Brian Vance passed on the rock salt and instead loaded the bed with camping gear for a three-day date with Mother Nature in Mammoth Lakes, California. Following visits to Convict Lake, Red's Meadow, and Devils Postpile National Monument, Vance declared the Silverado "a perfect fit for the High Sierra and its dirt roads." As an avid camper, Vance "would love to add a shell to the shortbed to make it more secure and able to protect gear from the elements," stating that he, "talked to Williams, and he's looking into it." All in the name of investigative journalism, of course.

With over 9000 miles on the odometer, the Silverado's oil life now registers below 10 percent, so we'll soon see our local dealer for the first maintenance visit, at which time we'll have the pesky check-airbag light investigated.