Taking silver place in Chevy's heavy duty truck

The 2017 Chevrolet 3500 Silverado HD can tow up to 23,100 pounds when properly equipped. 

But you have to get the optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine if you want to tow a John Deere backhoe loader.

The Silverado 2500 can tow a maximum of 15,400 pounds. 

It looks good, too, despite all that chrome. 

With a diesel exhaust brake and integrated trailer braking, towing the nearly 10,000 pounds of trailer and John Deere skid-steer contraption is pretty easy. 

However, the Silverado HD does not have blind-spot monitoring, which would making towing a long load like this safer. 

The Silverado HD does not have adaptive cruise control. It's not safe to use while towing, but at some point drivers will be stuck in traffic and might want the truck to take over the drudgery. 

The Duramax diesel is part of a $10,665 package. It's pricey but the engine is very quiet, with the traditional diesel rattle hardly noticeable from the cabin. 

Regardless of its tech shortcomings, the Silverado HD cuts a striking pose.

Keep scrolling for more pictures of the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado HD.