We often talk about horsepower wars and the battle to have the biggest touchscreen but, when it comes to trucks, towing capacity is king. That brings us to today’s news that the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD can now tow up to 16,329 kg when properly equipped. According to the bowtie brand, engineers were able to increase the max towing capacity of the Silverado 3500 HD Work Truck – specifically the regular cab, rear-wheel drive dually equipped with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine, a ten-speed automatic transmission and the max tow package – by 227 kg. That’s crazy specific, but it means Chevy can now claim a best-in-class max tow rating.
Speaking of towing, the truck gains new
trailering technology including a trailer length indicator. It shows a red
overlay twice the length of a compatible trailer, on the infotainment system,
when a turn signal is activated. This helps drivers to easily see if there’s
enough room to safety make a lane change. Other new tech features include a
jack-knife alert system, an upgraded rear trailer view with guidelines and a
trailer-angle indicator, and an enhanced rear side view function which now
works in reverse. There’s also an improved cargo bed view feature with a zoom
function and bed hitch guidance to aid in hooking up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel
trailer.
Putting towing aside, the 2021 Silverado
HD gains four new special editions. The most notable is the Carhartt Edition
which is available on LTZ variants and is distinguished by a Mosaic Black
Metallic exterior with a Carhartt pinstripe. The truck also has Carhartt
badging, a Carhartt-branded tonneau cover and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain
tires. Rounding out the highlights are body-color bumpers and a body-color
grille bar with chrome inserts. Moving into the cabin, buyers will find
exclusive Jet Black and Carhartt Brown leather seats with unique stitching and
embroidered headrests. Last but not least, there are Carhartt-branded
all-weather floor mats.
Moving on, the Midnight Edition is
available on LT and LTZ trims with a black exterior. It features a number of
black components including the grille, skid plate, badges and wheels. The Z71
Sport Edition is also available on LT and LTZ trims, but it goes in a slightly
different direction as it has a monochromatic look with “color-matched bumpers,
grille bar and black door handles.” The special edition is available in three
colors – Red Hot, Summit White or Northsky Blue – and features a number of
black accents including the wheels, hood vent, mirror caps, skid plate and
badges.
The Z71 Chrome Sport Edition is somewhat
similar but, as the name suggests, it features plenty of chrome. The special
edition also comes standard with 20-inch wheels and is available exclusively in
Black or Summit White. Rounding out the updates for 2021 are new standard
equipment and options. A front center console with storage is now standard on
Work Truck and Custom trims, while both models can also be equipped with a new
Safety Confidence Package which includes automatic emergency braking, forward
collision alert, a driver information center and steering wheel audio controls.
LT trims gain OnStar and SiriusXM satellite
radio, while they’re now optional on the Work Truck. There are also a handful
of other minor changes as well as two new exterior colors known as Mosaic Black
Metallic and Cherry Red Tintcoat. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD is already in
production and will be arriving at dealerships this fall.
