Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

There's something to be said for having the right tool for the job. When it comes to towing, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD has the power and capabilities you need. Unlike the supporting Silverado 2500HD, this behemoth can be specified with dual rear wheels (dualies) that kick the maximum tow capacity up to a massive 36,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel/gooseneck rig. That's more than the weight of two fully grown African bull elephants, by the way. The Silverado 3500HD comes second to only the Ram 3500 when it comes to maximum towing, and only to the tune of 1,100 pounds.

Coming off a full redesign last year, the Silverado 3500HD returns with only a handful of minor changes that include some cosmetic options and available wireless phone integration. With only three rivals in the class — the Ford F-350 Super Duty, the aforementioned Ram 3500 and the Chevy's sibling, the GMC Sierra 3500HD — the competition is fierce. At this level they're all very close in terms of capabilities, possibly leaving the ultimate decision up to your personal preference.

Which Silverado 3500HD does MatoCar recommend?

Most people will find the base Work Truck far too spartan, which is why we recommend stepping up to the LT trim. Besides swapping out the stifling vinyl seats for fabric, you also get plenty of comfort and convenience features to more than justify the added cost. It's also eligible for many more options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is available in three cab configurations: regular cab, double cab (a four-door crew cab but with a smaller rear seating area) and full crew cab. Depending on the configuration, you can choose between WT (Work Truck), LT, LTZ and High Country trim levels.

The Silverado's base engine is a 6.6-liter gasoline-powered V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft) that's paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional is a 6.6-liter diesel V8 (445 hp, 910 lb-ft) that comes with a 10-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive is optional. A dual rear-wheel setup is also available to increase the maximum towing capacity.

WT The entry-level Work Truck is big on capabilities and short on creature comforts, with standard features that include:

Steel wheels
Black bumpers and exterior trim
Locking tailgate
Trailering mirrors
Trailering equipment
Power windows and door locks (on double and crew cabs)
40/20/40-split folding bench seats
Vinyl upholstery
Manual door locks and windows
Single-zone automatic climate control
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Bluetooth for two devices simultaneously
Two USB ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

LT Stepping up to the next trim adds a lot of features to make the Silverado feel less like a U-Haul rental. Feature highlights that include:

Alloy wheels
Power-adjustable, heated mirrors
Trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab)
Chrome bumpers
Low-effort tailgate (Chevy's EZ Lift)
Cruise control
Remote keyless entry
Cloth upholstery
Carpeting and floor mats
8-inch touchscreen
Chevrolet Connected Services with onboard Wi-Fi
Satellite radio

LTZ The LTZ trim adds more refinement and luxury by including several features that are comparable to those on some upper-tier SUVs:

Enhanced trailering technology (added security and monitoring)
Electronic variable steering assist (reduces long-distance fatigue)
Chrome exterior trim
LED headlights and foglights
Power-folding/extending and auto-dimming mirrors
Keyless entry and engine start
Remote engine start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable, heated front seats
Household power outlets
Heated steering wheel
8-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system
Additional second-row USB ports
Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
High-definition rearview camera with hitch guidance

High Country At the top of the lineup, the High Country goes all-in with a full complement of luxury features that include:

Standard 4WD
All-terrain tires
Body-colored bumpers
Chrome side assist steps
Power-sliding rear window
LED cargo bed lighting
Spray-in bedliner
Power tailgate
Upgraded driver information display
Navigation system
Ventilated front bucket seats
Heated rear outboard seats
Bose premium sound system
Wireless smartphone charger
Bed-view camera
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Silverado 2500HD and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Many standard features on the upper trim levels are available on the lower trims as options. Other major options, depending on the trim level, include:

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Trailering camera system (can display multiple trailer-based camera views on the touchscreen to aid with towing)
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
Z71 off-road package (upgraded suspension, skid plates, hill descent control)