Originally Posted by PickupTrucks.com

If you’ve ever used your truck for tailgating, you know you can kill the battery by running a 12-volt TV, cooler or stereo. It’s easy to forget to turn off these items while you’re barbecuing and enjoying the celebration in the parking lot outside the big game.

For 2010, GM has quietly introduced a solution that will help ensure you’ll be able to start your truck after the party has ended. It’s called Battery Saver: Instead of automatically shutting off the headlights or interior lights after 10 minutes, if you forget to turn them off, Battery Saver monitors your battery voltage. When the voltage drops too low, the truck flashes “Battery Saver: Restart Truck” on the driver information display in the gauge cluster and shuts power to 12-volt accessories, leaving just enough juice to turn the engine over, so your battery can recharge.

Of course, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting tailgate vehicle that you don’t have to worry about pausing the party, you may want to consider the Two-Mode Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra Hybrids. On a full tank of fuel, they can power the party for a full 2.5 days before needing a refill. The engine starts up and shuts off automatically, as needed, to keep the batteries fully charged.

Originally Posted by PickupTrucks.com

Until now, the GMC Sierra Denali has only been available as a luxury light-duty pickup with a 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine. But at the 2007 SEMA Show, GMC showed off a diesel-powered Heavy Duty Denali concept, strongly suggesting that the 'Professional Grade' brand wanted to go head-to-head with Ford’s top-of-the-line King Ranch Super Duty.

Judging from these latest spy photos, it looks like GM is about to make its Denali HD concept a reality.

Our spies have just caught this 2011 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickup out and about, trimmed in Denali livery. It has a unique four-bar chrome perforated grille, instead of the three-bar grille we’ve seen in other Sierra test trucks. It also sports chrome trim, door handles and wheels – Denali hallmarks. Look even closer and you’ll see the bell of a large two-piece venturi tailpipe (which helps cool high exhaust temperatures) indicating that there’s a next-generation 6.6-liter "LML" Duramax V-8 under its hood. The uncamouflaged hood features new reverse-power-dome styling with prominent center mounted louvers.

GM's 2011 HD pickups are also expected to ride on an all new chassis and start production in the first half of 2010.