2021 Chevrolet Silverado MD Arrives With Slew Of Updates
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Chevrolet Commercial just announced a slew of updates for the Chevrolet Silverado MD truck lineup at the ongoing NTEA Work Truck Show. The updates will be applied for the 2021 model year on the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD, and 6500 HD chassis cab trucks.
“Continuing to listen to its customers, Chevrolet is bringing a host of updates to medium-duty chassis cabs to further increase performance and flexibility for upfitting,” the automaker states in a press release.
Highlights include a 23-percent increase in hauling capability, with maximum gross combined weight now rated at 37,000 pounds. Additionally, the Chevrolet Silverado MD trucks now have a new mechanical locking rear axle that will automatically lock when tire slippage occurs, improving traction on slippery road surfaces or off-road.
Inside, there is a new auxiliary switch bank offered with six additional upfit switches on the headliner, while extended sideview mirror arms provide the driver with greater visibility. Chevy says this latter improvement is “coming soon.”
Finally, there is new left-hand power take-off capability, providing upfitters with access to the PTO port from either side of the truck, while longer axle-to-end-of-frame options for the short wheelbase models enables utilization of longer upfit bodies and greater flexibility.
The Chevrolet Silverado MD pickups were introduced in 2018 at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis as a replacement for the Chevrolet Kodiak, which was discontinued in 2009. The medium-duty Silverado first went on sale for the 2019 model year, and is produced as part of a joint venture between GM and Navistar International, with final production performed by Navistar in Springfield, Ohio.
Motivation for the Chevrolet Silverado MD trucks is sourced from the turbodiesel 6.6L L5D V8 Duramax, which produces 350 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. The L5D is manufactured at the GM Duramax plant in Moraine, Ohio.
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Nice improvements, but still waiting for a gasoline engine and 22.5″ wheels.
Those two upgrades (dock height with 22.5” wheels and gasoline model) are definitely key to bringing this already popular rig to the next level.
The additional Aux switch bank, Left Hand PTO, and additional weight capacity are welcome upgrades. Chevrolet is very clearly listening to the upfitters and customers.
GM needs to work on their gross combined weight ratings for their MD, it is not enough as is.
The weight ratings are pretty good.
Keep in mind that GM and Navistar are supposedly working on a new Class 6, 7 and 8 conventional. That may be where we see the standard air brakes and 22.5” wheels.
You might want to look before you speak. I spent a couple hours at the dealer. When your looking at the dealer portal, the max trailer weight shows 30K for a 4X4 5500, about what the 3500 is. We even called the MD rep at GM. It was an interesting conversation. I see they made some chassis mods on the ’21. Maybe that helps, but right now, as it stands, very poor. Other aspects of the truck are great. I owned an 05 5500 4X4 and while it certainly was capable, it was miserable to drive. Taking this truck on a test drive showed me how much better this truck it is than before. However, you have to be able to tow (and tow a lot) and right now the numbers don’t indicate that.
Dude, read the 3rd paragraph.
Bring it back to GMC too!
GM needs to let the Chevy dealers in Canada sell these mediums. This inability to market them in Canada is ridiculous. Alberta alone sells more trucks to cars ratio than any other jurisdiction in North America.
You should make a camper to go on those MD trucks for the real adventure of camping
I know people are going to tell me that automatics are better but, they need a manual transmission option.
Seeing as how I work with some fleets, I am more excited about these trucks than I should be. One of my clients already has a few dozen of these new trucks, with more on order. I really hope to see a gas and LNG offering soon.
The 22.5” wheel model with the dock height chassis would be a great addition even as a class 6 truck (26,000 lb GVW). Call it the Silverado 6600 HD.
mirrors are horrible. 96 wide body you can’t see the side of the truck. what a joke for such a company.
I agree driver side is not bad but passenger side is terrible. I had an 03 Topkick and the mirrors were great. Also the 2019’s front tires throw mud or what ever your driving through all over the front of the 96″ wide bed, really… no front mud flaps Seriously! Hopefully aftermarket addresses some of these issues. I will say though compared to the 03’s the 2019’s ride so much better the cab is way better and the front end tracking is so much better that I think, assuming they fix some of these little details they will have a great truck.
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