Without the max towing package, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 can tow up to between 7,200 and 10,000 lbs and up to 13,300 lbs with the Max Trailering Package.
Any trailer over 2,000 lbs requires its own braking system and any weight over 7,000 lbs requires a weight-distributing hitch.
If you are looking for the towing capacity of your 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, look no further, this article will give you the towing capacity for each model.
Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.
Trims
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 5 different trims for the standards 1500.
- WT
- LT
- Custom
- RST
- Trail Boss
- Custom Trail Boss
- LT Trail Boss
- LTZ
- High Country
- Rally Edition
- Redline
- Realtree
Cab and Bed Sizes
The cab types in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 are Regular, Double Cab, and Crew Cab.
The regular is a single-row seating cab, while the Double Cab and Crew cab can support two different rows of passengers.
The Double cab is slightly smaller than the Crew in both length, rear-seat space, and rear door sizes.
Bed Sizes
There are three main bed sizes for the Silverado 1500. These include the short, standard, and long bed.
The short bed is 5 ft 10 in., the standard bed is 6.5 ft, and the long bed is 8 ft.
The exact lengths are slightly different than what is listed above, but this helps to compare truck bed lengths to other similar models.
Are these bed sizes big, small or average? Read: Size of a Pickup Truck Bed & Styles to compare these bed sizes to other pickup trucks.
Packages
There are a number of packages available with the Silverado, but when it comes to towing packages, there are only two available. The Max Trailering Package and the Trailering Package.
Trailering Package (Z82)
The trailering package does not offer any extra towing capacity capabilities, but does allow the Silverado to now accommodate towing. The Silverado does not come with any towing equipment available unless the trailering package is added.
This simply adds the equipment needed to connect a trailer to the vehicle. See items below:
- Trailer Hitch
- 4 pin/7 pin connectors
- Hitch guidance
- Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring (LTZ)
- Advanced Trailering System and integrated trailer brake controller (LTZ)
Max Trailering Package
The Max Trailering package includes everything in the trailering package and some. Unlike the Trailering package, the max trailering package can provide additional towing capacity to the vehicle than what is listed by Chevrolet.
- Trailering Package
- Enhanced cooling radiator
- heavy duty rear springs
- 3.42 axle ratio (gas)
- 3.73 axle ratio (diesel)
- Trailer brake controller
Towing Capacity by Engine
To determine the towing capacity of your vehicle, you need to know the:
- engine type
- bed size
- cab size
- drivetrain
- axle ratio
If you know all of these items, then move on to the next section by engine to determine your towing capacity.
If not:
- Start with the VIN decoder from Autozone to determine the engine in the vehicle
- Measure the bed size with a tape measure to determine whether you have a short, long, or standard bed
- The cab size should be evident by whether or not you have two rows and if the back doors are full-sized
- Drivetrain should be determined with the VIN as well
- The axle ratio will be listed on the side of the driver’s door on the certification sticker
What sets Chevrolet apart from other manufacturers is that they include all the important towing information on the side of the passenger door on the certification trailering sticker.
Here you will find GCWR, GVWR, curb weight, payload, and towing ratings. This is the best way to ensure you have the appropriate measures for your Silverado.
You may be interested in: What is GVWR?
Engines in 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is available with the following engines:
- 2.7 L Turbo
- 3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel
- 4.3 L Ecotec3
- 5.3 L Ecotec3
- 6.2 L Ecotec3
| 2.7 L | 3.0 L Diesel | 4.3 L | 5.3 L | 6.2 L | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed | x | – | x | x | – |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | x | x | x | x | x (4×4) |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | x | x | x | x | x (4×4) |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | x | – | x | x | x (4×4) |
Towing Capacity by Engine
Chevrolet separates the towing capacity of a Silverado by the engine type inside the truck rather than the trim.
So this section is going to provide you with the towing capacities listed in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 ebrochure.
Before you read on to find your specific towing capacity by engine, you should know that this information is used for comparison purposes. You will find the appropriate towing capacity by calculating it yourself/looking at your individual trailering sticker.
The max towing capacity without the max trailering package is 7,200 – 10,000 lbs.
Do keep in mind that with the 2021 Silverado 1500, any weight being towed over 2,000 lbs requires that the trailer must be equipped with its own brake system. In addition, any towing weight over 7,000 lbs requires a weight distributing hitch.
2.7 L Turbo Towing Capacity
The 2.7 L Turbo Engine in the Chevy Silverado 1500 has 310 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 348 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,500 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 14,500 lbs. The max towing capacity of the 2.7 L engine is between 9,000 and 9,600 lbs in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,600/9,400 | 14,500 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,300/9,100 | 14,500 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,300/9,100 | 14,500 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,200/9,000 | 14,500 |
3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 Engine Towing Capacity
The 3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is the only diesel engine offered in the family, but is not available with all cab and bed sizes.
It has 277 hp @ 3,750 rpm and 460 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,500 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 15,000 lbs. The max towing capacity of the 3.0 L diesel engine is between 9,000 and 9,500 lbs in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,500/9,100 | 15,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 9,500/9,000 | 15,000 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | 9,000 | 15,000 |
4.3 L EcoTec3 V6 Engine Towing Capacity
The 4.3 L EcoTec3 Engine in the Chevy Silverado 1500 is the only diesel engine offered in the family, but is not available with all cab and bed sizes.
It has 285 hp @ 5,300 rpm and 305 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3,900 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 12,800 lbs. The max towing capacity of the 4.3 L engine in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is between 7,200 and 7,900 lbs.
| Trim | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 7,900/7,600 | 12,800 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 7,600/7,400 | 12,800 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | Trail Boss | 7,300 | 12,800 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 7,600/7,400 | 12,800 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | Trail Boss | 7,300 | 12,800 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 7,600/7,400 | 12,800 | |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | Trail Boss | 7,200 | 12,800 |
5.3 L EcoTec3 V8 Towing Capacity
The 5.3 L EcoTec2 V8 Engine in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 355 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 383 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,100 rpm.
It is the most powerful engine of the family and provides the highest towing capacity.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 15,000 lbs, and 16,800 lbs with the max trailering package. The max towing capacity of the 5.3 L engine is between 9,100 and 11,500 lbs in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Max Trailering Package | Trim | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 10,000/9,700 | 15,000 | ||
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 6-speed | 9,700/9,500 | 15,000 | ||
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 8-speed | 9,800/9,500 | 15,000 | ||
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 8-speed | x | 11,500/11,100 | 16,800 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed 8-speed | Trail Boss | 9,400 | 15,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) 6- speed | 9,700/9,500 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) 8- speed | 9,700-9,400 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) 8- speed | x | 11,500/11,100 | 16,800 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed 10- speed | 9,200 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 6 – speed | 9,600/9,400 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 8 – speed | 9,700/9,300 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 8 – speed | x | 11,400/11,100 | 16,800 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed 6-speed | Trail Boss | 9,400 | 15,000 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 10-speed | Trail Boss | 9,300/9,100 | 15,000 | |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) 6 – speed | x | Custom | 10,900 | 16,800 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed 6-speed | 9,300 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed 10- speed | Trail Boss | 9,300 | 15,000 |
6.2 L EcoTec3 V8 Towing Capacity
The 6.2 L EcoTec3 V8 Engine is the larger engine of the EcoTec3 family in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500. It is only available with 4×4 wheel drive trucks.
It has 420 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 460 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,100 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 15,000 lbs for the base . The max towing capacity of the 6.2 L engine is between 9,100 and 13,300 lbs in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Max Trailering Package | Trim | Towing Capacity lbs (4×4) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | 9,300 | 15,000 | ||
| Double Cab Standard Bed | x | 12,100 | 17,800 | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | x | RST | 13,300 | 19,100 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | Trail Boss | 9,300 | 15,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | 9,200 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed | x | 11,900 | 17,800 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | Trail Boss | 9,300 | 15,000 | |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | 9,100 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | x | 11,900 | 17,800 | |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | Trail Boss | 9,200 | 15,000 |
2021 Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity Charts
Conventional Towing
Regular Cab
Double Cab
Crew Cab
5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing
Regular Cab
Double Cab
Crew Cab
Payload Capacity and Curb Weight
Though you probably came here for the towing capacity of your Chevy Silverado, it is also important you understand and know the payload capacity of your truck.
If you are new to payload capacity, read: What is GVWR? to get a better understanding. Similarly, even if you know your towing capacity and don’t exceed it, you need to make sure you are not exceeding the payload capacity at the same time.
I explain this in more detail in How towing capacity is calculated?
Payload capacity refers to the amount of weight that can be safely carried in a truck (including cargo and passengers).
Curb weight is the amount of weight that the truck weighs without anything in it and is used to calculate towing and payload capacity.
Without any package, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 payload capacity is 1,670 – 2,280 lbs.
The curb weight of a pickup truck is based on the cab type, bed size, drive train, and engine. I’ve separated this article by engine to keep it consistent with the towing capacities.
2.7 L Turbo Payload Capacity and Weight
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 2.7 L engine is between 1,990 and 2,280 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,280/2,160 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,060/2,050 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,060/2,050 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,990/2,000 |
3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 Engine Payload Capacity and Weight
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 3.0 L diesel engine is between 1,770 and 1,870 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,780/1,770 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,870/1,870 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | -/1,770 |
4.3 L EcoTec3 V6 Engine Payload Capacity and Weight
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 4.3 L engine is between 1,770 and 2,250 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,250/2,130 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,040/2,020 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) Trail Boss | 1,770 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,040/2,020 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed Trail Boss | 1,770 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,960/1,970 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed Trail Boss | 1,710 |
5.3 L Ecotec3 V8 Payload Capacity and Weight
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 5.3 L engine is between 1,670 and 2,190 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,180/2,070 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) Max Trailering Package | 2,190/2,180 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,970/1,950 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) Trail Boss | 1,670 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 2,060/ 2,050 (6-speed) or 2,060 (8/10-speed) |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) Max Trailering Package | 2,180/2,170 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,990/ 2,000 (6-speed) or 2,010 (8/10-speed) |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) Max Trailering Package | 2,110/2,120 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed Custom Max Trailering Package | 2,050 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed Trail Boss | 1,990 (6-speed) or 1,770 (8-speed) |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed Trail Boss | 1,710 (6-speed) or 1,720 (8-speed) |
6.2 L Ecotec V8 Payload Capacity and Weight
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 6.0 L engine is between 1,690 and 2,090 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | |
| Double Cab Standard Bed | 1,690 |
| Double Cab Standard Bed Max Trailering Package | 2,090 1,990 (20″ wheels) |
| Double Cab Standard Bed Trail Boss | 1,780 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | 1,670 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed Max Trailering Package | 2,060 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed Trail Boss | 1,870 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed | 1,590 |
| Crew Cab Standard Bed Trail Boss | 1,820 |
Tongue Weight of 2021 Chevy Silverado
The tongue load is the amount of weight that can be exerted on a trailer hitch.
For most trailers, this value is 10-15% of the total trailer weight.
That means that a max towing capacity of 6800 lbs can only have a tongue weight of 680 lbs.
How can you make sure you don’t exceed this value?
You can make sure of this by weighing the tongue weight of your trailer.
Not sure how? Check out What is trailer tongue weight? & How to Measure It
Believe it or not, there are scales that can read the tongue weight of a trailer up to 5000 lbs, which is listed below.
Conclusion
Though this guide provides good guidance on how much you can tow with your 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, you should always calculate your own towing capacity.
Not sure how? Read: How is Towing Capacity Calculated? Here you will find a helpful calculator as well.
You’ll still need the GCWR, which should be appropriately listed here, but you should double-check your manual and sticker before you make a final decision.
And don’t forget that you need to consider the trailer tongue weight as well to make sure you don’t exceed your payload capacity and have an evenly distributed trailer. Read: What is trailer tongue weight? & How to Measure It
