Towing Capacity for Chevy Silverado 1500 (2021)

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.

towing capacity for chevy silverado 15000 2021 featured image

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:

  1. engine type
  2. bed size
  3. cab size
  4. drivetrain
  5. 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:

  1. Start with the VIN decoder from Autozone to determine the engine in the vehicle
  2. Measure the bed size with a tape measure to determine whether you have a short, long, or standard bed
  3. The cab size should be evident by whether or not you have two rows and if the back doors are full-sized
  4. Drivetrain should be determined with the VIN as well
  5. 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?

chevy silverado 1500 certification label 2021

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 L3.0 L Diesel4.3 L5.3 L6.2 L
Regular Cab
Long Bed
xxx
Double Cab
Standard Bed
xxxxx (4×4)
Crew Cab
Short Bed
xxxxx (4×4)
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
xxxx (4×4)
Engine compatibility with Chevy Silverado 1500 configurations 2021

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.

how is towing capacity calculated

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)
9,600/9,40014,500
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4)
9,300/9,10014,500
Crew Cab
Short Bed
(4×2/4×4)
9,300/9,10014,500
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4)
9,200/9,00014,500
Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity for 2.7 L Turbo Engine (2021)

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)
9,500/9,10015,000
Crew Cab
Short Bed
(4×2/4×4)
9,500/9,00015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
9,000 15,000
Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity for 3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine (2021)

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.

TrimTowing Capacity (lbs)GCWR (lbs)
Regular Cab
Long Bed
(4×2/4×4)
7,900/7,60012,800
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4)
7,600/7,40012,800
Double Cab
Standard Bed
Trail Boss7,30012,800
Crew Cab
Short Bed
(4×2/4×4)
7,600/7,40012,800
Crew Cab
Short Bed
Trail Boss7,30012,800
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4)
7,600/7,400 12,800
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
Trail Boss7,20012,800
Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity for 4.3 L EcoTec3 V6 Engine (2021)

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
TrimTowing Capacity (lbs)GCWR (lbs)
Regular Cab
Long Bed
(4×2/4×4)
10,000/9,70015,000
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 6-speed
9,700/9,50015,000
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 8-speed
9,800/9,50015,000
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 8-speed
x11,500/11,10016,800
Double Cab
Standard Bed
8-speed
Trail Boss9,40015,000
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
9,700-9,40015,000
Crew Cab
Short Bed
(4×2/4×4) 8- speed
x11,500/11,10016,800
Crew Cab
Short Bed
10- speed
9,20015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 6 – speed
9,600/9,40015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 8 – speed
9,700/9,30015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 8 – speed
x11,400/11,10016,800
Double Cab
Standard Bed
6-speed
Trail Boss9,40015,000
Double Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 10-speed
Trail Boss9,300/9,10015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
(4×2/4×4) 6 – speed
xCustom10,90016,800
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
6-speed
9,30015,000
Crew Cab
Short Bed
10- speed
Trail Boss9,30015,000
Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity for 5.3 L EcoTec3 Engine (2021)

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
TrimTowing Capacity lbs (4×4)GCWR (lbs)
Double Cab
Standard Bed
9,30015,000
Double Cab
Standard Bed
x12,10017,800
Double Cab
Standard Bed
xRST13,30019,100
Double Cab
Standard Bed
Trail Boss9,30015,000
Crew Cab
Short Bed
9,20015,000
Crew Cab
Short Bed
x11,90017,800
Crew Cab
Short Bed
Trail Boss9,30015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
9,10015,000
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
x11,90017,800
Crew Cab
Standard Bed
Trail Boss9,20015,000
Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity for 6.2 L EcoTec3 Engine (2021)

2021 Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity Charts

Conventional Towing

Regular Cab

2021 chevy silverado towing capacity chart regular cab
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity Chart Regular Cab

Double Cab

2021 chevy silverado towing capacity chart double cab pt1
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity Chart Double Cab 2WD
2021 chevy silverado towing capacity chart double cab pt2
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity Chart Double Cab 4×4

Crew Cab

2021 chevy silverado towing capacity chart crew cab pt1
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity Chart Crew Cab pt1
2021 chevy silverado towing capacity chart crew cab pt2
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity Chart Crew Cab pt2

5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing

Regular Cab

2021 chevy silverado 5th wheel gooseneck towing capacity chart regular cab
2021 Chevy Silverado 5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart Regular Cab

Double Cab

2021 chevy silverado 5th wheel gooseneck towing capacity chart double cab pt1
2021 Chevy Silverado 5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart Double Cab pt1
2021 chevy silverado 5th wheel gooseneck towing capacity chart double cab pt2
2021 Chevy Silverado 5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart Double Cab pt2

Crew Cab

2021 chevy silverado 5th wheel gooseneck towing capacity chart crew cab pt1
2021 Chevy Silverado 5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart Access Cab pt1
2021 chevy silverado 5th wheel gooseneck towing capacity chart crew cab pt2
2021 Chevy Silverado 5th wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart Access Cab pt2

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
Chevy Silverado 1500 Payload Capacity and Weight for 2.7 L Turbo Engine (2021)

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
Chevy Silverado 1500 Payload Capacity and Weight for 3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine (2021)

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
Chevy Silverado 1500 Payload Capacity and Weight for 3.0 L Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine (2021)

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)
Chevy Silverado 1500 Payload Capacity and Weight for 5.3 L EcoTec3 Engine (2021)

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
Chevy Silverado 1500 Payload Capacity and Weight for 6.2 L EcoTec3 Engine (2021)

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

JOEY TECCHI

I, Joey, am the owner and primary writer for Tailored Trucks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy taking my RAM pickup to the White Mountains for skiing, camping, or ATVing. Thanks for reading!

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