Chevy Silverado 1500 Gets Better Towing, 6-Way Tailgate For 2021

This is a 2020 Silverado, but the 2021 Silverado will look exactly like this.

For the 2021 model year, Chevrolet doesn’t have a new design or a new hybrid powertrain in store for the Silverado 1500 like rival Ford has for the upcoming 2021 F-150. But that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to give the 2021 Silverado a look.

Two of Chevy’s smaller engines are getting some pretty nice boosts in towing capacity, plus GM is bringing the 6-way tailgate first introduced on the GMC lineup to the Silverado as well.

There’s also some new equipment package details to discuss as well, including the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Here’s what Chevy has announced.

Improved Trailering

First up is improved towing capacities on both the 2.7-liter four-cylinder Turbo and the 3.0L Duramax diesel.

On the 2.7L Turbo, though Chevy says each configuration has seen “thousands of pounds” added trailering capacity over the 2020 model, it points out that the Crew Cab Short Box model has seen an increase of 2,500 pounds to a max towing capacity of 9,300 pounds in two-wheel drive. The max tow rating you can get on this engine in 2WD comes through the new Regular Cab Long Box model which offers 9,600 pounds of towing capability and 2,280 pounds of max payload.

The 3.0L Duramax diesel has increased towing capacity by 1,900 pounds on “nearly every configuration” and provides a maximum capacity of 9,500 pounds on 2WD models.

More good news: Chevy is reducing the price of this engine by a not-insignificant amount. For 2021 Chevy has dropped the price of the 3.0L Duramax by $1,500.

2021 Silverado jack-knife indicator

Chevy is also striving to add more trailering functionality through technology. While the 2020 Silverado introduced 15 unique camera views of whatever you’ve got in tow, the 2021 models will add the following:

Trailer Length Indicator: When changing lanes with the turn signal activated, a red overlay twice the length of the trailer is shown on the center console screen, which can help show when other vehicles are present.

Jack-Knife Alert: Tracks the position of the trailer in relation to the vehicle and provides an alert if a potential jack-knife situation is imminent.

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Cargo Bed View Enhancement: Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance are now available, which help to align and hook up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer.

Rear Trailer View Now Features Guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator: Enhanced to include assisting guidelines when backing a compatible trailer into place and a Trailer-Angle Indicator shows the relationship between the truck and trailer.

Rear Side View Enhancement: Provides a split view, automatically biased based on the trailer’s angle, of the left and right sides of the truck and compatible trailer. This view was previously only available while driving forward and is now available in Reverse for better visibility when positioning a trailer.

New 6-Way Tailgate

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Multi-Flex Tailgate

Initially introduced on the GMC lineup where it’s called the “MultiPro,” GM is bringing its 6-way, flippy tailgate to the Silverado lineup where it will be called “Multi-Flex”. Play the video to see the functions in action.

And here’s and explanation of how these six functions break down:

1. Primary Gate: Your regular old open tailgate that activates with the touch of a button on the gate or the key fob.
2. Primary Gate Load Stop: With the gate open, a compartment near the top opens outward from the inside serving as a load stop for securing long objects being hauled in the bed with the gate open.
3. Easy Access: With the gate open, the inner portion of the top of the tailgate folds down, creating a D-shaped opening in the gate allowing you to get closer to whatever you’re pulling out of the bed.
4. Full-Width Step: From the Easy Access position, the gate folds downward even further, creating a large step for hopping up into the cab. The step can hold up to 375 pounds.
5. Inner Gate Load Stop: With the gate closed, folding down the portion of the gate that creates the Easy Access opening when the gate is closed now opens out, with a portion flipping upward to act as a load stop for longer, loads situated higher in the bed.
6. Work Surface: With the gate closed, flipping down the Easy Access portion of the gate creates a work surface tall enough to act as a standing desk of sorts.

The Multi-Flex tailgate has a weight capacity of 375 pounds and the different configurations/functions can be activated using the key fob or two tailgate-mounted functions: one for the full gate and another for the loading and storage options.

Package and Equipment Changes

Finally, here’s Chevy’s breakdown on trim/package changes for 2021 with details on new and expanded equipment offerings:

• Custom and Custom Trail Boss are now standard with Custom Convenience Package and Infotainment Package, which include EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate, bed LED cargo area lighting, remote start, available SiriusXM radio4, available OnStar5 and more.
• Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss now offer 40/20/40 split-bench front seat and a new Safety Confidence Package (late availability), which includes Forward Collision Alert6, Automatic Emergency Braking6, Front Pedestrian Braking6, steering wheel audio controls and 4.2-inch driver information center.
  Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss are now available with 20-inch black wheels with Goodyear Territory MT Tires (late availability).
• LT and RST now come standard with the All Star Edition content, which includes the Convenience Package, Trailering Package and an auto-locking rear differential.
• LTZ now comes standard with the LTZ Convenience Package, Safety Package6 and 20-inch polished wheels.
• Wireless phone projection through Apple CarPlay7 and Android Auto8 capability is standard on LTZ and High Country and available on LT, LT Trail Boss and RST.
• A first for Chevrolet, Adaptive Ride Control is now available on High Country models with 22-inch wheels to provide enhanced ride comfort.
  New available packages – All Star Edition Plus, Texas Edition Plus and LTZ Premium Texas Edition – add additional convenience and safety content onto already popular models.
• Three new exterior colors are available:
  • Mosaic Black Metallic (late availability)
  • Oxford Brown Metallic
  • Cherry Red Tintcoat (available at extra charge)

Production on the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has begun and the trucks will begin arriving in dealerships “throughout the fall,” Chevy says. You can check out the Silverado 1500 lineup’s full specifications in the chart below.

2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 SPECIFICATIONS

EPA-EST. MPG

FUEL TANK CAPACITY (APPROX.)^

^{^} Capacity is 22 gal. / 83 liters on 2WD/diesel models

ENGINES

TRANSMISSION & AXLE

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

CURB WEIGHT, GVWR & PAYLOAD

^{^} When properly equipped; includes weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo and equipment.
^{^^}For comparison purposes only. See the owner’s manual and the label on the vehicle door jamb for the carrying capacity of a specific vehicle.

TRAILERING