Modern pickups are like four-wheeled Swiss Army knives. They have tons of different features because of all the things that are asked of them. But for all of their comfortable interiors, modern technology, and helpful safety features, pickup trucks are designed to tow and haul.
The 2021 Silverado 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds when properly equipped. This makes it one of the top performers among light-duty pickups in its class. The class leader might be the Ford F-150, which can tow up to 14,000 pounds, but the Silverado holds its own. Not all Silverado 1500 models achieve this maximum capability—it depends on specific configurations, including engine choice, cab, and bed size. In the following article, we’ll explore the towing capabilities of the 2021 Silverado 1500 and compare its performance across different setups.
What is the Towing Capacity of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Can Tow the Most?
- How Much Can a Rear-Wheel-Drive Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow?
- How Much Can a Four-Wheel-Drive Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow?
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Towing Capacity by Body Style
- What is the Max Towing Capacity for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss?
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any special towing features?
Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Can Tow the Most?
The highest towing capacity in the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lineup is achieved is with the 6.2-liter V8 engine with four-wheel drive, and the crew cab body style with the standard bed. You’ll also need to select the RST trim with 20-inch wheels and the Max Trailering Package. This setup allows the Silverado 1500 to tow up to 13,300 pounds.
How Much Can a Rear-Wheel-Drive Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow?
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) versions of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offer a range of towing capacities depending on the engine:
- 2.7L Turbo I4: Up to 9,600 pounds
- 4.3L V6: Up to 7,900 pounds
- 5.3L V8: Up to 11,500 pounds
- 6.2L V8: Up to 12,300 pounds
- Duramax 3.0 I6 Diesel: Up to 9,500 pounds
How Much Can a Four-Wheel-Drive Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow?
For the four-wheel-drive (4WD) Silverado 1500, the towing capacities also vary by engine:
- 2.7L Turbo I4: Up to 9,400 pounds
- 4.3L V6: Up to 7,600 pounds
- 5.3L V8: Up to 11,100 pounds
- 6.2L V8: Up to 13,300 pounds
- Duramax 3.0 I6 Diesel: Up to 9,100 pounds
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Towing Capacity by Body Style
Crew Cab
- 2.7L Turbo I4: 9,300 pounds (RWD) | 9,100 pounds (4WD)
- 4.3L V6: 7,600 pounds (RWD) | 7,400 pounds (4WD)
- 5.3L V8: 11,500 pounds (RWD) | 11,100 pounds (4WD)
- 6.2L V8: N/A (RWD) | 11,900 pounds (4WD)
- Duramax 3.0 I6 Diesel: 9,500 pounds (RWD) | 9,000 pounds (4WD)
Double Cab
- 2.7L Turbo I4: 9,300 pounds (RWD) | 9,100 pounds (4WD)
- 4.3L V6: 7,600 pounds (RWD) | 7,400 pounds (4WD)
- 5.3L V8: 11,500 pounds (RWD) | 11,100 pounds (4WD)
- 6.2L V8: N/A (RWD) | 13,300 pounds (4WD)
- Duramax 3.0 I6 Diesel: 9,500 pounds (RWD) | 9,100 pounds (4WD)
Regular Cab
- 2.7L Turbo I4: 9,600 pounds (RWD) | 9,400 pounds (4WD)
- 4.3L V6: 7,900 pounds (RWD) | 7,600 pounds (4WD)
- 5.3L V8: 10,000 pounds (RWD) | 9,700 pounds (4WD)
- 6.2L V8: N/A
- Duramax 3.0 I6 Diesel: N/A
What is the Max Towing Capacity for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss?
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is offered in the off-road-oriented Trail Boss model. It’s available on the Custom and LT trims and features a 2-inch factory suspension lift, upgraded Rancho shocks, and the Z71 Off-Road Package. The latter adds skid plates, an automatic locking rear differential, and hill descent control. The Custom Trail Boss comes with a 4.3-liter V6 or available 5.3-liter V8. The LT Trail Boss comes with the 5.3-liter V8 or the available 6.2-liter V8. The maximum towing capacity for the Trail Boss is 9,500 pounds when equipped with the 5.3-liter V8.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any special towing features?
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 includes several towing features designed for safe operation and ease of use. These features include:
Trailer Sway Control: Helps stabilize the trailer to maintain control during towing. Hill Start Assist: Prevents rollback when starting on an incline. Trailer Brake Controller: Provides integrated control of the trailer’s braking system. Advanced Trailering System: Provides tools like pre-departure checklists and trailer tire pressure monitoring.