The 2020 Silverado 1500 represents the second model year of the Silverado full-size, half-ton pickup truck. The bread-and-butter model, which also happens to be Chevy’s best-seller, offers a total of four different tailgates, which we are exploring in this GM Authority Deep Dive. So, without further ado, here are the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado tailgate choices, and their respective availability.
The Tailgates
The four 2020 Silverado tailgate choices all look the same, but feature varying functionalities, such as “EZ Lift”, power lock and release, and/or a power up/down function.
Here are the descriptions of the tailgate options, as well as their RPO Codes (in parenthesis):
- Manual gate function (QT2)
- Manual gate function with EZ lift (QT3)
- Manual gate function with EZ lift, power lock and release (QT5)
- Power up/down gate function with power lock and release (QT6)
Availability
2020 Chevrolet Silverado tailgate availability is trim level dependent. The table below lists the standard and available tailgates across the entire lineup.
| Work Truck | Silverado Custom | Silverado Custom Trail Boss | LT | RST | LT Trail Boss | LTZ | High Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tailgate | QT2 | QT2 | QT2 | QT3 | QT5 | QT5 | QT5 | QT6 |
| Standard Tailgate Function | Manual, no EZ Lift | Manual, no EZ Lift | Manual, no EZ Lift | Manual with EZ Lift | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Power gate with power lock |
| Available Tailgate | QT5 | QT5 | QT5 | QT5 | N/A | N/A | QT6 | QT5 |
| Available Tailgate Function | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock | – | – | Power gate with power lock | Manual with EZ Lift, includes power lock |
- QT2 – manual gate function
- QT3 – manual gate function with EZ lift
- QT5 – manual gate function with EZ lift, power lock and release
- QT6 – power up/down gate function with power lock and release
The three entry-level models (Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss) feature the base QT2 tailgate. The LT model gets upgraded to the QT3 tailgate as standard. RST, LT Trail Boss and LTZ all get the QT5 tailgate, while the range-topping 2020 Silverado 1500 High Country gets the “fully-loaded” QT6 tailgate.
Meanwhile, the Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss and LT all offer the QT5 tailgate as an option, as does the High Country – for those who don’t want a power tailgate. Meanwhile, the LTZ offers the range-topping QT6 tailgate.
There are also several other exceptions to 2020 Chevrolet Silverado tailgate availability, as follows:
- Work Truck:
- Optional tailgate is included and only available with WT Convenience PackageÂ
- Standard tailgate is deleted when pickup bed delete is ordered
- Silverado Custom: optional tailgate is included and only available with Custom Convenience Package
- Silverado Custom Trail Boss: optional tailgate is included and only available with Custom Convenience Package
- LT: optional tailgate is included and only available with Convenience Package
Four tailgate options on one truck may seem excessive to some, but the variety enables Chevy to offer a product that is relevant to a broad range of customers and at different price points. This is rather critical in the ultra-competitive pickup truck segment, wherein a versatile model lineup that appeals to many different customer profiles is absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, the rumored GMC MultiPro tailgate (or its equivalent for Chevrolet) is nowhere to be seen, at least for the 2020 model year. Perhaps it will join the lineup for the 2021 Silverado, which will deliver several new features and updates.
We’ll be taking a look a closer look at the tailgate lineup for all other full-size GM pickup trucks, including the Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra 1500 and Sierra HD, so stay tuned and subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The best, most practical, and value tailgate & step combo for any truck brand is:
GM EZ lift/lower with power lock, combined with the bumper side steps and GM’s larger stake pocket grab points.
I’ve used every single tailgate and step combo over the years, from the MultiPro to Titan’s BS kick step to Gen1 Ridgeline and Ford step. The only gate I have yet to use is Ram’s new barn door, which has some benefits, but it’s a 6/10. I’ve used them for work, around the house, towing, and hauling a quad.
The above combo is perfection. The next best would be the same but with electric lift and lower but with the standard EZ lift you can literally use you pinky finger to lift the gate.
I would take this over the GMC multi-pro tailgate any day. I simply cannot stand the line in the GMC tailgate, makes it look like it’s wearing a baby bib. The off centered line of the Ram multi tailgate looks even worse. The bumper step is very useful but doesn’t look good to me and I would rather have full bumpers. I must admit that I do like the out of sight and out of mind look of the Ford tailgate. You don’t even know it’s there.
Well Don, it’s seems your only concern is visual. Luckily Chevy and GMC have a tailgate that provides that visual simplicity you want if you ever decide you need a truck.
Try reading my comment again. I clearly said I thought Chevy has the best setup. At the same time I own a 2015 GMC. Honestly I don’t like the multi-pro tailgate at all.
Why are we talking 2020 models with the 2021s coming soon?
Any Idea on when the 2021 Silverado will be announced?
Re exhaust tips: The under bumper duals are growing on me but they still remind me of a cast toy model. I would prefer the behind rear wheels treatment with some SS round exhaust tips at least 3in dia. I suspect I am in the minority?