2021 Chevrolet Silverado Gets Increased Towing Capacity With These Two Engines
22
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The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 puts up superior towing capacity numbers than the 2020 Silverado 1500 when equipped with the available turbocharged four-cylinder and inline-six turbodiesel engines.
When equipped with the optional GM 2.7L L3B four-cylinder engine and two-wheel-drive, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado has a max towing capacity of 9,300 pounds – up 2,500 pounds compared to the L3B-powered 2020 Silverado. The newly available Regular Cab Long Box model with the 2.7L L3B engine and RWD ups the ante to 9,600 pounds, as well, while the payload also increases to 2,280 pounds.
| RPO Code | Engine | 2020 Silverado (lbs / kg) | 2021 Silverado (lbs / kg) | Difference (2021 vs 2020) |
| LV3 | 4.3L V6 | 7,900 / 3,583 | 7,900 / 3,583 | 0 |
| L3B | 2.7L I4 Turbo | 7,000 / 3,175 | 9,600 / 4,354 | +2,600 / +1,179 |
| L82 | 5.3L V8 AFM | 10,000 / 4,536 | 10,000 / 4,536 | 0 |
| L84 | 5.3L V8 DFM | 11,600 / 5,216 | 11,500 / 5,262 | -100 / -45 |
| LM2 | 3.0L I6 Turbo-Diesel | 9,300 / 4,218 | 9,500 / 4,309 | +200 / +91 |
| L87 | 6.2L V8 DFM | 13,400 / 6,033 | 13,300 / 6,078 | -100 / -45 |
When equipped with the available GM 3.0L LM2 inline-six turbodiesel, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado offers an additional 1,900 pounds of trailering capacity to “nearly every configuration,” General Motors says, with two-wheel-drive models able to tow up to 9,500 pounds. Chevrolet has also taken $1,500 off the MSRP for the diesel engine for 2021 models, potentially making the engine a viable option for more fleets.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado with the 2.7L L3B and four-wheel-drive also now boasts a superior towing capacity to the 3.0L LM2 Duramax model with the four-wheel-drive, beating it by 300 pounds at a capacity of 9,400 pounds. The GM 6.2L L87 V8 model still boasts the highest towing capacity of any 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine, however, at 13,400 pounds.
GM said that it was able to unlock increased towing numbers for the 2.7L L3B engine after additional testing and validation revealed that it “possesses better-than-expected cooling performance.” The improvements to the 3.0L Duramax model’s towing capacity weren’t related to powertrain improvements, but rather the Silverado’s better-than-expected rear axle durability. GM engineers recertified both models under the SAE J2807 standard for 2021 to confirm its increased towing numbers for these two engines,
GM introduced a number of changes and improvements to the Silverado 1500 for the 2021 model year, including the new Multi-Flex tailgate, new exterior colors, new standard features, and new packages and content.
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Any idea if GM is ever going to start including what are now basic standard features in most vehicles on the higher end trim packages? I can get a base Ram Laramie with memory seats and auto up/down windows but I would have to get a Silverado High Country to have those same features. Sorry, I could actually get them on an LTZ but since I personally find all that chrome ugly and would have the option to eliminate chrome on the Laramie, I find that a better option all around. You can actually get a base Ram Workman that has auto up/down windows. Why spend 50 grand plus on a truck that doesn’t include basic features? I have the same issues on my current Chevy Traverse with the “Premier” trim level. No rear cup holders, no auto up on the passenger window and this is “Premier”. I am getting to the point where whatever loyalty incentives exist aren’t worth it when you are dealing with a vastly inferior product. Definitely don’t get value for your money with the GM and I will probably start looking elsewhere
Every GM Vehicle I’ve been in has Auto Up/Down windows also the Traverse in every trim has the cupholders in the door for the rear seats and over the wheel well on the 3rd row.
In our area super duty is absolutely destroying GM . Not everyone wants to be” professional grade” ! If anything they want to be the direct opposite! Continue to market to the guys that just haul a clipboard and a cell phone with a Denali in our world and it’s the kiss of death. We use our trucks to work,not look pretty! But we are driven to Ford because they will sell us the motor we want to do work and not 80000 dollar clip board holder!
The guys who only have to haul a cell phone and laptop can afford those higher transaction prices.
Both Ford and GM cater to them just fine.
Anyway, Fords aren’t exactly cheap. Especially if you’re talking about work trucks, because from what I’ve seen the Chevrolet is priced lowest of all.
2.7t towing rate increase significantly. Will be ideal option for buyer towing once a while and driving around city daily.
Why the decrease for the L84 and L87?
On what planet does an increase in kg towing capacity equate to a reduction in pounds of the same in the cases of the L84 and L87?
Maybe new tailgate weight?
There are obviously some mistakes on that chart.
does it even matter by now
Dodge is junk, every one that I have been around always broke and I almost had to pay someone to get it off of my hands. I will never compare apples to apples with GM and Dodge. GM always wins in my book, they always look better as well.
After 2007, they’re all Junk.
3.0L Duramax numbers are underwhelming. 4WD towing capacity didn’t change, and MPG took a hit. Now rated at 22/26, same as the Sierra. Lost three highway MPG.
Weird. Those numbers seem extremely overrated for the 2.7T, and extremely underrated for the diesel. And I know that this is largely a function of cooling capacity, not just power, and that’s precisely why I think the 2.7T would be in major trouble with an almost 5 ton load, whereas the Duramax would run considerably cooler.
It’s more a function of gross vehicle weight. The 2.7T is a lot lighter than the diesel.
I dunno, a higher revving smaller turbo gas engine has to produce way more heat than a larger diesel. The biggest issue contributing to the tow rating is heat dissipation, not frame strength or simply the capability of quickly moving the weight. I’m sure the 2.7T could fairly easily pull double that weight, but it definitely couldn’t do so for long without overheating.
I just wish they would release the 2021 1500 Silverado Trail boss, so we will know what exactly they are offering.
The Duramax 3.0 1500 should be able to tow a 1/2 ton fifth wheel. Both payload and tow capacity needs to go up to match payload and tow rating. This is what most people want. A every day driver with the ability to tow their camper 5-6 times a year. I have a 2500 serra and the mpg suck for every day driving . My dad’s F150 ecoboost v6 turbo meets the 1/2 ton fifth wheel campers in payload and tow rating. Ford might be my next truck if gm can’t get this accomplished in 2022.
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I know this is a homer website and asking ANYTHING that could be negative or pessimistic meets vitriol, but is nobody mystified by the fact a 4 cylinder turbo gas engine is towing more than a diesel engine? I know the diesel is handicapped by being shoehorned into that engine compartment and unable to cool any more efficiently, but these new numbers are peculiar. I would have to think GM had no choice but to slash the diesel price by $1500 but I dont even think its worth it at this point. What are you really getting out of it unless you are regularly towing like 7000 lbs max?
I think most people never tow more than 7,000lbs with a half ton. The diesel upgrade has dropped making it a nice option since it will get great MPG compared to any of the gas jobs in the real world. Plus you get a higher resale on the Diesel engine. Plus diesel right now is less than gas per gallon where I live. Only extra cost is fuel filter every so often and $20 worth of DEF. any person who works with equipment usually like diesels.