The Chevy Silverado 5500HD 4×4 Crew Cab Work Truck is the top-selling configuration of the Silverado Medium Duty of the 2021 model year, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter. This was also the case for the 2020 model year.
The second best-selling 2021 Chevy Silverado MD truck configuration is the 5500HD 4×4 Regular Cab Work Truck, underlining the popularity of the Silverado 5500HD 4×4 model in both Crew and Regular Cab forms.
The 2021 Silverado MD line is comprised of the Chevy Silverado 4500HD, Chevy Silverado 5500HD, and Chevy Silverado 6500HD models, each set apart by its respective GVWR. Silverado 4500HD models are rated at 14,001 pounds to 16,500 pounds, Silverado 5500HD models are rated at 17,500 pounds to 19,500 pounds, while Silverado 6500HD models are rated at 21,500 to 23,500 pounds.
| GVWR (lbs) | GVWR (kg) | 2WD Reg Cab 1WT | 2WD Crew Cab 1WT | 4WD Reg Cab 1WT | 4WD Crew Cab 1WT | 2WD Reg Cab 1LT | 2WD Crew Cab 1LT | 4WD Reg Cab 1LT | 4WD Crew Cab 1LT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15000 | 6804 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 16000 | 7257 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 17500 | 7938 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 18000 | 8165 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 19500 | 8845 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 21000 | 9525 | - | - | A | A | - | - | A | A |
| 21500 | 9752 | A | A | - | - | A | A | - | - |
| 22500 | 10206 | - | - | A | A | - | - | A | A |
| 22940 | 10405 | A | A | - | - | A | A | - | - |
| 23000 | 10433 | - | - | A | A | - | - | A | A |
| 23500 | 10659 | A | A | - | - | A | A | - | - |
U.S. sales of the Chevy Silverado MD truck totaled 3,025 units, a 79 percent improved over the 1,688 units during the same timeframe in the year-ago quarter. Sales for the first six months of 2021 totaled 4,912 units, an 80 percent jump versus the 2,724 units sold during the first six months of the 2020 calendar year.
Chevrolet Silverado Sales Detail - Q2 2021 - USA
| Model | Q2 2021 / Q2 2020 | Q2 2021 | Q2 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | +34.5% | 164,731 | 122,432 | +9% | 291,322 | 267,166 |
| Silverado LD | +31.1% | 117,275 | 89,465 | +2.8% | 207,980 | 202,390 |
| Silverado HD | +42% | 44,431 | 31,279 | +26.4% | 78,430 | 62,052 |
| Silverado MD | +79.2% | 3,025 | 1,688 | +80.3% | 4,912 | 2,724 |
The Silverado MD is the least popular Silverado configuration, behind the Silverado 1500 Light Duty pickup and Silverado HD. Even so, the uptick in Silverado MD sales has made a small contribution to cumulative Silverado sales, which have improved by 9 percent during the first six months of 2021.
However, it should be noted that the Chevy Silverado Light Duty (1500) pickup truck on its own is the most popular Chevrolet (and GM) model in the United States, without the help of its Medium Duty and Heavy Duty relatives.
The Silverado MD family is not a very close relative to the Silverado LD (1500) or Silverado HD (2500HD and 3500HD). Despite sharing the Silverado nameplate and the fact that it uses the same cab as the previous-generation, K2-based Silverado HD, it rides on a very different platform developed jointly by GM and Navistar.
However, the Silverado MD’s connection with the other Chevy Silverado models is more evident when considering that it’s powered by the 6.6L V8 L5D turbo-diesel Duramax engine. Currently the only engine available for the Silverado MD, the eight-cylinder turbo-diesel is closely related to the 6.6L V8 L5P used in the Silverado HD.
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Comments
What’s the tow rating on these MD trucks? I saw a YT video where the 5500 was rated to tow less than the 3500HD
Tow rating depends on the body and overall weight of the truck + the upfitter gear.
The 3500 regular cab Silverado with the diesel tows an astounding 35,000 lbs. The 5500 crew cab with a heavy dump bed or contractor body weighs substantially more than an F-350 or 3500 Silverado. That is going to come out of the Gross Combined Weight Rating, which likely means that the most popular MD configurations have a lower max tow rating than a 3500 HD regular cab despite having a much higher payload and front and rear axle capacity.
These MD trucks were designed for payload more than towing, but I think an argument can be made that the combined weight rating should be higher given that a number of 4500 and 5500 buyers also tow and that these straight frame trucks are pretty heavy when completely empty.
Rumor is that Navistar and GM are working on a class 7 and Class 8, but I think they should also try to add gas motors to the class 4 and class 5. And boost the combined vehicle weight a bit somehow.
Great trucks. I think GM needs to add the 6.6L gas V8 to the 4500 and 5500 models. Most of the landscape companies are after value. The gas motor would suffice for them and likely save them a lot of upfront costs over the Duramax.
I also think a dock height 7000 or 7500 version should seriously be considered, possibly with tandem rear axles and a higher GVWR.
The GVWR of the 4500 a 6500 is fine now, but they need a larger version with a GVWR closer to a Class 7 truck. There is a market for it.
These things are optimized for payload, which makes them ideal for upfitters like ambulance, dump bodies, cherry pickers, or fire/rescue. A Class 7 would get attention from upfitters who attack dry van box bodies and heavier delivery applications.
The combined vehicle weight rating could be higher for all models though. Probably by about 7,000 lbs to boost that tow rating for the 4500 and 5500 models. Some of those users are looking for a giant pickup truck/contractor truck rather than vocational body. Higher combined weight rating would help broaden the appeal to those buyers, but it could come at the expense of 3500HD sales.
Interesting that 4X4 models are the most popular. It is also interesting to note that since introduction, these trucks have been almost completely unchanged except for a couple of very minor R.P.O.’s. While the Silverado medium duty line is becoming more popular every year, I think they could do substantially better with gas engine and deck-height (22.5″ wheel) options. These options have been rumored for a long time but once again they do not appear in the 2022 medium duty order guide, at least not yet. Of course the delay could be due to Covid and the chip shortage.
Have not heard anything about the rumored Class 7 GM/NAV medium duty in some time, but have not heard that it has been cancelled either.
We should be hearing more about the GM EV/fuel cell medium duty next year. I wonder if this truck will be done in conjunction with Navistar as well.
I have said it before and will say it again, these trucks are cool looking bu very impractical for construction Companies. Way to high and bulky! I work for a construction company that does road building, infrastructure (real infrastructure ,not sleepy joe infrastructure) and we have F 350-550’s for all the foreman. Easy to get in and out of 20-30 times a day. These monsters would wear a guy out by lunchtime! They run all day long as long as we are working, regening without a hiccup. Gm is completely clueless when it comes to work trucks! This is not a small company, they have hundreds of work trucks and 90% are Super Duty. All the bosses drive Denali’s. And just in case someone thinks I am trolling, I personally only own and drive Gm.
I can remember back when International Trucks comprised most of the crew cabs that were out there. Nobody used them for recreation back then, they were work trucks. I guess you don’t get a prize for being “ahead of your time”.
I had an 05 GMC 5500 CC 4X4 for about ten years. Lost an injector that washed the cylinder. I traded out of it. and into a 3500. When these came out, I wanted to again get essentially the same truck. I test drove them and very impressed at how much better of truck it was compared to my old 5500. I got to the spec sheet and noticed the low tow ratings. Myself and the dealer had a discussion with a GM guy who was the MD rep. I ended up getting a ’20 3500 4X4 CC. I would agree that in some cases that the size of these trucks can make them less convenient on the job site than a typical F550. I would say in my opinion that these trucks give you a lot more truck for the dollar, maybe that is needed and maybe it is not. I am also surprised that these trucks are most popular with 4X4. No question that would be the case in the sticks of Idaho, but I would not have guessed that would be the most popular option overall. They need to address the low GVWR. Perhaps not a deal breaker for many, but towing capacity is important in all truck classes, no less so for a medium duty truck. You only need to look at what increasing the trailering specs on the HD trucks has done for sales. They are making the same mistake with the MD trucks as they made with the HD for years, low tow ratings kills sales numbers. Increase the tow capacity….and they (sales) will come.