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

2021 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 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 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 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

TRANSMISSION & AXLE

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

FUEL TANK CAPACITY (approx.)

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

BASE CURB WEIGHT^

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

BASE GVWR^

^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^

^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

^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

^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.