2021 Chevy Silverado HD: Better towing, new Carhartt Special Edition

Wayne Grayson
Oct 28, 2020
Updated Jan 11, 2021
2021 Silverado 3500 HD LTZ2021 Silverado 3500 HD LTZ

Like their smaller, half-ton siblings in the Chevrolet truck lineup, the changes coming to the Bowtie’s 2021 heavy duty trucks are not groundbreaking. However, there are several smaller updates to know about and at least two other more interesting changes to look forward to in this model year including improved towing and a new Carhartt Special Edition of the trucks.

But let’s focus on the increased towing capacity first. Chevy says its engineers increased the HD lineup’s towing capacity by 500 pounds, paving the way for a max tow rating of up to 36,000—which Chevy says is the best available rating among Class 3 pickups.

If you want that 36,000 pounds of towing capacity though, you’ll need a very specific truck: a Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel in tandem with a 10-speed transmission, in a dually configuration with a regular cab and in two-wheel drive. Got that?

The full towing chart is below with the rest of the spec sheet on these trucks, but depending on the model, engine and cab, conventional towing ranges anywhere from 14,500 pounds to 20,000 pounds, while 5th wheel/gooseneck ranges from 16,120 to 36,000 pounds.

And in terms of engine/powertrain options, those are unchanged from 2020. You still have two engine options: the 6.6L gas V8 with 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, or the 6.6L Duramax diesel with 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. Available tranmissions are the 10-speed Allison or the 6-speed Hydra-Matic.

 

Carhartt Special Edition

The second thing to look forward to is the new Carhartt Special Edition.  This package will be available on both the 2500 and 3500. Chevy says production on this edition will start soon. We’ve got a full walkaround and all the details of this package in this video:

In addition to the Carhartt edition, Chevy will also be offering the following:

  • Midnight Edition

    2021 Silverado HD Midnight Edition2021 Silverado HD Midnight Edition

    Available on black LT and LTZ trims, Midnight Edition offers a blacked-out appearance, including the grille bar, grille inserts, skid plate, Silverado badging and standard black 18-inch aluminum wheels with aggressive mud-terrain tires, or available black 20-inch wheels.

  • Z71 Sport Edition

    2021 Silverado HD Z71 Sport Edition2021 Silverado HD Z71 Sport Edition

    Available on LT and LTZ trims, the Z71 Sport Edition offers a monochromatic look with color-matched bumpers, grille bar and black door handles. Exclusively available in Red Hot, Summit White or Northsky Blue exterior paint, it also features black accents, including Silverado badging, skid plate, mirror caps, hood vent and black 18-inch wheels with mud-terrain tires or black 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

  • Z71 Chrome Sport Edition

    2021 Silverado HD Z71 Chrome Sport Edition2021 Silverado HD Z71 Chrome Sport Edition

    Available on LT and LTZ trims, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition features body-color bumper and grille bar with chrome accents to door handles, skid plate, grille insert, assist step and badging. Only available in Summit White and Black, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition comes with 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with Grazen metallic accents, or 20-inch polished aluminum wheels on LTZ.

    •  

    Towing tech

    Circling back around a bit to towing, Chevy continues to push forward on tech and camera systems focused on making towing and trailering easier. Like last year, you’ll still be able to get 15 different camera views at whatever you’re pulling.  Here’s what they’re offering:

    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.

    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.

     

    Other available equipment and everything else that’s new

    • Bed View Camera display located in a rearview mirror screen insert now available on Work Truck, Custom and LT.
    • Bed View Camera display located in the infotainment screen now standard on High Country and available on LTZ and LT.
    • SiriusXM radio and OnStar now available on Work Truck and standard on LT.
    • Safety Confidence Package available on Work Truck and Custom. Package includes Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Information Center and Steering Wheel Audio Controls.
    • Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard for LTZ and High Country, and available on LT.
    • Front center console with storage now standard on Work Truck and Custom.
    • Two new exterior colors available:
      • Mosaic Black Metallic
      • Cherry Red Tintcoat

     

    Spec Sheet

    ENGINES

    Type: 6.6L V-8 gasoline or E85 FlexFuel
    Bore & Stroke
    (in / mm):    		 4.06 x 3.86 / 103.25 x 98
    Block Material: Cast iron with nodular iron main caps
    Cylinder Head Material: Cast aluminum
    Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
    Valvetrain: Overhead-valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
    Fuel Delivery: Direct fuel injection
    Horsepower
    (hp / kW @ rpm):    		 401 / 299 @ 5200 (SAE certified – gasoline)
    Torque
    (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):    		 464 / 629 @ 4000 (SAE certified – gasoline)
    Type: Duramax 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel
    Bore & Stroke         (in / mm): 4.05 x 3.89 / 103 x 99
    Block Material: Cast iron
    Cylinder Head Material: Cast aluminum
    Compression Ratio: 16.0:1
    Valvetrain: Overhead-valve, four valves per cylinder
    Fuel Delivery: Common-rail direct fuel injection
    Horsepower
    (hp / kW @ rpm):    		 445 / 332 @ 2800 (SAE certified)
    Torque
    (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):    		 910 / 1234 @ 1600 (SAE certified)

    TRANSMISSION & AXLE

    Type: Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic (6.6L gas)
    Allison® 10L1000 10-speed automatic (6.6L diesel)
    Gear Ratios (:1): 6L90 10L1000
         First 4.03 4.54
         Second 2.36 2.87
         Third 1.53 2.06
         Fourth 1.15 1.72
         Fifth 0.85 1.48
         Sixth 0.67 1.26
         Seventh — 1.00
         Eighth — 0.85
         Ninth — 0.69
         Tenth — 0.63
         Reverse 3.06 4.54
    Final Drive Ratio: 3.73 (6.6L gas)
    3.42 (6.6L diesel)

    CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

    Front Suspension: Short long arms independent front suspension with torsion bars
    Rear Suspension: Semi-elliptic three-stage multi-leaf spring
    Steering Type: Hydraulic power-assisted recirculating ball; includes Digital Variable Steering Assist on LTZ and High Country
    Brake Type: Hydraulic power-assisted Hydroboost brake booster, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Stabilitrak electronic stability assist
    Brake Rotor Size (in / mm): Front: 14 x 1.6 / 355 x 40 (2500/3500)
    Rear: 14.1 x 1.3 / 360 x 34 (2500/3500 SRW)
    Rear: 14 x 1.6 / 355 x40 (3500 DRW)
    Wheel Size: 17-in. steel or aluminum
    18-in. steel or aluminum
    20-in. aluminum
    Tire Size: LT235/80R17 ALS and AT (3500HD DRW)
    LT265/70R17 AT
    LT245/75R17 ALS
    LT275/70R18 AT
    LT275/65R20 AT

    FUEL TANK CAPACITY (approx.)

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    Fuel Tank (gal. / L): 36 / 136 – gas
    28 / 106 – diesel    		 36 / 136 – gas
    29.4 / 111 – diesel (std. bed)
    36 / 136 – diesel (long bed)    		 36 / 136 – gas
    36 / 136 – diesel

    EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    Wheelbase
    (in. / mm):    		 141.55 / 3595          (long bed) 149.4 / 3795 (std. bed)
    162.48 / 4127 (long bed)    		 158.94 / 4037 (std. bed)
    172 / 4369 (long bed)
    Overall Length
    (in. / mm):    		 235.5 / 5982          (long bed) 240.45 / 6107 (std. bed)
    256.46 / 6514 (long bed)    		 249.95 / 6349 (std. bed)
    266 / 6759 (long bed)
    Overall Width (in. / mm): 81.75 / 2076 (SRW)
    96.75 / 2457 (DRW)    		 81.85 / 2079 (SRW)
    96.75 / 2457 (DRW)    		 81.85 / 2079 (SRW)
    96.75 / 2457 (DRW)
    Overall Height
    (in. / mm):    		 79.94 / 2030 (2500HD)
    80.94 / 2056 (3500HD SRW)
    80.24 / 2038 (3500HD DRW)    		 79.95 / 2031 (2500HD std. bed)
    79.8 / 2027 (2500HD long bed)
    80.87 / 2054 (3500HD SRW)
    80.2 / 2037 (3500HD DRW)    		 79.82 / 2027 (2500HD std. bed)
    79.65 / 2023 (2500HD long bed)
    80.87 / 2054 (3500HD std. bed)
    80.67 / 2049 (3500HD long bed)
    Front Track
    (in. / mm):    		 68.1 / 1731 68.1 / 1731 68.1 / 1731
    Rear Track
    (in. / mm):    		 68.3 / 1736 (SRW)
    75 / 1905 (DRW)    		 68.3 / 1736 (SRW)
    75 / 1905 (DRW)    		 68.3 / 1736 (SRW)
    75 / 1905 (DRW)
    2500HD Ground Clearance
    (in. / mm):    		 10.19 / 259 10.19 / 259 (standard bed)
    10.15 / 258 (long bed)    		 10.12 / 257 (standard bed)
    10.08 / 256 (long bed)
    3500HD Ground Clearance
    (in. / mm):    		 11.82 / 285 (SRW)
    10.47 / 266 (DRW)    		 11.18 / 284 (SRW)
    10.39 / 264 (DRW)    		 11.18 / 284 (standard bed & SRW)
    11.14 / 283 (long bed & SRW)
    10.39 / 264 (long bed & DRW)

    INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    Headroom
    (in. / mm):    		 43.11 / 1095 43.03 / 1093 (front)
    39.88 / 1013 (rear)    		 43.03 / 1093 (front)
    40.12 / 1019 (rear)
    Legroom
    (in. / mm):    		 44.53 / 1131 44.53 / 1131 (front)
    35.24 / 895 (rear)    		 44.53 / 1131 (front)
    43.4 / 1102 (rear)
    Shoulder Room
    (in. / mm):    		 66.06 / 1678 66.02 / 1677 (front)
    64.88 / 1648 (rear)    		 66.02 / 1677 (front)
    65.3 / 1659 (rear)
    Hip Room
    (in. / mm):    		 60.9 / 1547 61.18 / 1554 (front)
    60.24 / 1530 (rear)    		 61.18 / 1554 (front)
    60.24 / 1530 (rear)

    BASE CURB WEIGHT^

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    2500HD – 2WD        (lb. / kg): 6105 / 2769 – gas
    6968 / 3161 – diesel    		 6421 / 2913 – gas (standard bed)
    6542 / 2967 – gas (long bed)
    7272 / 3299 – diesel (standard bed)
    7438 / 3374 – diesel (long bed)    		 6533 / 2963 – gas (standard bed)
    6633 / 3009 – gas (long bed)
    7430 / 3370 – diesel (standard bed)
    7597 / 3446 – diesel (long bed)
    2500HD – 4WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 6418 / 2911 – gas
    7281 / 3303 – diesel    		 6736 / 3050 – gas (standard bed)
    6829 / 3098 – gas (long bed)
    7587 / 3441 – diesel (standard bed)
    7726 / 3505 – diesel (long bed)    		 6824 / 3095 – gas (standard bed)
    6922 / 3140 – gas (long bed)
    7721 / 3502 – diesel (standard bed)
    7886 / 3577 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD SRW (lb. / kg): 6231 / 2826 – gas
    7247 / 3287 – diesel    		 6689 / 3034 – gas
    7682 / 3485 – diesel    		 6647 / 3015 – gas (standard bed)
    6779 / 3075 – gas (long bed)
    7577 / 3437 – diesel (standard bed)
    7849 / 3560 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD SRW (lb. / kg): 6528 / 2961 – gas
    7545 / 3422 – diesel    		 6971 / 3162 – gas
    7964 / 3612– diesel    		 6947 / 3151 – gas (standard bed)
    7064 / 3204 – gas (long bed)
    7877 / 3573 – diesel (standard bed)
    8134 / 3690 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD DRW (lb. / kg): 6520 / 2957 – gas
    7439 / 3374 – diesel    		 6977 / 3165 – gas
    7903 / 3585 – diesel    		 7068 / 3206 – gas (long bed)
    8070 / 3661 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD DRW (lb. / kg): 6817 / 3092 – gas
    7766 / 3523 – diesel    		 7259 / 3293  – gas
    8185 / 3713 – diesel    		 7352 / 3335 – gas (long bed)
    8300 / 3765 – diesel (long bed)

    ^With standard 17-inch wheels on 2500HD and 3500HD DRW; standard 18-in. or 20-in. wheels on 3500HD SRW.

    BASE GVWR^

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    2500HD – 2WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 10000 / 4536 – gas
    10550 / 4785 – diesel    		 10050 / 4559 – gas (standard bed)
    10200 / 4627 – gas (long bed)
    10700 / 4854 – diesel (standard bed)
    10900 / 4944 – diesel (long bed)    		 10150 / 4604 – gas (standard bed)
    10300 / 4672 – gas (long bed)
    10800 / 4899 – diesel (standard bed)
    11000 / 4990 – diesel (long bed)
    2500HD – 4WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 10250 / 4649 – gas
    10900 / 4944 – diesel    		 10350 / 4695 – gas (standard bed)
    10500 / 4763 – gas (long bed)
    11000 / 4990 – diesel (standard bed)
    11200 / 5080 – diesel (long bed)    		 10450 / 4750 – gas (standard bed)
    10650 / 4831 – gas (long bed)
    11150 / 5058 – diesel (standard bed)
    11350 / 5158 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD SRW (lb. / kg): 10750 / 4876 – gas
    11500 / 5216 – diesel    		 11100 / 5035 – gas
    11850 / 5375 – diesel    		 11000 / 4990 – gas (standard bed)
    11150 / 5058 – gas (long bed)
    11750 / 5330 – diesel (standard bed)
    11900 / 5398 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD SRW (lb. / kg): 11100 / 5035 – gas
    11800 / 5352 – diesel    		 11400 / 5171 – gas
    12150 / 5511– diesel    		 11350 / 5148 – gas (standard bed)
    11500 / 5216 – gas (long bed)
    12100 / 5489 – diesel (standard bed)
    12250 / 5557 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD DRW (lb. / kg): 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel    		 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel    		 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel
    3500HD – 4WD DRW (lb. / kg): 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel    		 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel    		 14000 / 6350 – gas
    14000 / 6350 – diesel

    ^When properly equipped; includes weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo and equipment. Specifications include standard 17-inch wheels on 2500HD and 3500HD DRW; standard 18-in. or 20-in. wheels on 3500HD SRW.

    MAX PAYLOAD^

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    2500HD – 2WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 3979 / 1805 – gas
    3715 / 1685 – diesel    		 3762 / 1706 – gas (standard bed)
    3792 / 1720 – gas (long bed)
    3561 / 1615 – diesel (standard bed)
    3595 / 1631 – diesel (long bed)    		 3751 / 1701 – gas (standard bed)
    3800 / 1724 – gas (long bed)
    3553 / 1612 – diesel (standard bed)
    3536 / 1604 – diesel (long bed)
    2500HD – 4WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 3965 / 1799 – gas
    3715 / 1685 – diesel    		 3747 / 1700 – gas (standard bed)
    3854 / 1748 – gas (long bed)
    3546 / 1608 – diesel (standard bed)
    3657 / 1659 – diesel (long bed)    		 3760 / 1706 – gas (standard bed)
    3862 / 1752 – gas (long bed)
    3563 / 1616 – diesel (standard bed)
    3597 / 1632 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD SRW (lb. / kg): 4481 / 2033 – gas
    4215 / 1912 – diesel    		 4373 / 1984 – gas
    4130 / 1873 – diesel    		 4316 / 1958 – gas (standard bed)
    4333 / 1965 – gas (long bed)
    4135 / 1876 – diesel (standard bed)
    4013 / 1820 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD SRW (lb. / kg): 4534 / 2057 – gas
    4217 / 1913 – diesel    		 4391 / 1992 – gas
    4148 / 1882 – diesel    		 4365 / 1980 – gas (standard bed)
    4398 / 1995 – gas (long bed)
    4185 / 1898 – diesel (standard bed)
    4078 / 1850 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD DRW (lb. / kg): 7442 / 3378 – gas
    6523 / 2958 – diesel    		 6985 / 3168 – gas
    6059 / 2748 – diesel    		 6894 / 3127 – gas
    5892 / 2673 – diesel
    3500HD – 4WD DRW (lb. / kg): 7145 / 3241 – gas
    6196 / 2811 – diesel    		 6703 / 3040 – gas
    5777 / 2620 – diesel    		 6610 / 2998 – gas
    5662 / 2568 – diesel

    ^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.

    MAX TRAILERING^ – CONVENTIONAL

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    2500HD – 2WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    18500 / 8392 – diesel
    2500HD – 4WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    18500 / 8392 – diesel
    3500HD – 2WD SRW (lb. / kg): 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel
    3500HD – 4WD SRW (lb. / kg): 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    14500 / 6577 – diesel    		 14500 / 6577 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel
    3500HD – 2WD DRW (lb. / kg): 16800 / 7620 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel    		 16400 / 7439 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel    		 16300 / 7394 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel
    3500HD – 4WD DRW (lb. / kg): 16800 / 7620 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel    		 16390 / 7434 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel    		 16240 / 7366 – gas
    20000 / 9072 – diesel

    ^Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner’s Manual.

    MAX TRAILERING^ – 5TH WHEEL/GOOSENECK

      Regular Cab Double Cab Crew Cab
    2500HD – 2WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 17370 / 78791 – gas
    18510 / 83961 – diesel    		 17050 / 77331 – gas (standard bed)
    16930 / 76791 – gas (long bed)
    18200 / 8256 – diesel (standard bed)
    18040 / 8182 – diesel (long bed)    		 16940 / 76831 – gas (standard bed)
    16840 / 76381 – gas (long bed)
    18500 / 83922 – diesel (standard bed)
    18500 / 83922 – diesel (long bed)
    2500HD – 4WD
    (lb. / kg):    		 17060 / 77381 – gas
    18190 / 82501 – diesel    		 16740 / 75931 – gas (standard bed)
    16740 / 75931 – gas (long bed)
    17890 / 81141 – diesel (standard bed)
    17750 / 80511 – diesel (long bed)    		 16650 / 75521 – gas (standard bed)
    16650 / 75521 – gas (long bed)
    18500 / 83922 – diesel (standard bed)
    18500 / 83922 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD SRW (lb. / kg): 17200 / 7802 – gas
    21500 / 9752 – diesel    		 16700 / 7575 – gas
    21490 / 9747 – diesel    		 16700 / 7575 – gas (standard bed)
    16700 / 7575 – gas (long bed)
    21500 / 9752 – diesel (standard bed)
    21330 / 9675 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD SRW (lb. / kg): 16950 / 7688 – gas
    21500 / 9752 – diesel    		 16500 / 7484 – gas
    21210 / 9620 – diesel    		 16530 / 7498 – gas (standard bed)
    16410 / 7443 – gas (long bed)
    21300 / 9662– diesel (standard bed)
    21040 / 9543 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 2WD DRW (lb. / kg): 16800 / 7620 – gas
    36000 / 16329 – diesel3    		 16400 / 7439 – gas
    31500 / 14288 – diesel    		 16200 / 7348– gas (long bed)
    31400 / 14243 – diesel (long bed)
    3500HD – 4WD DRW (lb. / kg): 16710 / 7579 – gas
    31760 / 14406 – diesel    		 16270 / 7380 – gas
    31340 / 14215– diesel    		 16120 / 7312 – gas (long bed)
    31180 / 14143 – diesel (long bed)

    ^Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner’s Manual.

    1Requires 17-in. wheels.
    2Requires 18-in. or 20-in. wheels.
    3When equipped with gooseneck hitch. Trailering rating is 32,000 lbs. / 14,515 kg with fifth-wheel hitch.

    NOTE: All towing capabilities measured using SAE J2807 metrics.

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