2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD towing capacity
Up to 20,000 lbs with a conventional ball hitch. That rating is for this configuration: 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" (5th-Wheel), Duramax 6.6L V8, 2WD. The lowest-rated configuration in the same tables is 14,500 lbs, so the answer for your vehicle depends on how it is equipped.
Highest published rating20,000 lbsConventional (ball hitch). Lowest in the same tables: 14,500 lbs.
The top figure belongs to one specific build. Find the row that matches your engine, cab, drive and axle, and check the label on your driver's door jamb. Passengers and cargo in the truck come off what you can tow.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD towing capacity by engine
The highest rating published for each engine. Pick a figure to see every configuration behind it.
| Engine | Conventional | Fifth-wheel or gooseneck | Configurations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duramax 6.6L V8 | 20,000 lbs | 36,000 lbs | 36 |
| 6.6L V8 gas | 16,800 lbs | 17,200 lbs | 35 |
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD towing capacity chart
All 73 configurations in the source, by hitch type and engine, highest rating first. Each row links to the page it is printed on.
Conventional (ball hitch)
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" (5th-Wheel) | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 43,500 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" (Gooseneck) | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 43,900 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 39 |
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,800 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,800 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,400 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,390 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,300 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,240 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,020 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 14,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 |
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" (Gooseneck)Wheel-size cell reads 17" (Gooseneck): gooseneck rating. Footnote 4 is printed on this value, but footnote 4 on this page is about 18" mud-terrain tires and conventional towing; see open_questions. | 2WD | 36,000 lbs | 43,900 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" (5th-Wheel)Wheel-size cell reads 17" (5th-Wheel): fifth-wheel rating. | 2WD | 32,000 lbs | 43,500 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 31,760 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 31,500 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 31,400 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 31,340 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 31,180 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 31,000 lbs | 40,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 21,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 21,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 21,500 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 21,490 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 21,330 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 21,300 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 21,210 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 21,040 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 21,030 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 20,910 lbs | 29,700 lbs | p. 40 |
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 17,200 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 16,950 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,800 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD REGULAR CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,710 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 38 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 16,700 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 16,700 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 2WD | 16,700 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 16,530 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 16,500 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 SRW | wheel size 18"/20" | 4WD | 16,410 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,400 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD DOUBLE CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,270 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 39 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Standard Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 16,230 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 2WD DRW | wheel size 17" | 2WD | 16,200 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 16,120 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 SRW | wheel size 20" | 4WD | 16,110 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 | ||
| 3500 HD CREW CAB Long Bed High Country 4x4 DRW | wheel size 17" | 4WD | 15,900 lbs | 24,000 lbs | p. 40 |
Hitch type not stated
The source gives these trailer weights without naming a hitch type. They are shown as printed.
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOX DELETEGCWR-only table: the page prints no maximum trailer weight for this configuration. Page: available on Long Bed WT, LT and LTZ. LTZ not available with Double Cab. | 3.73 | Not readable in the source | 24,000 lbs | p. 44 |
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOX DELETEGCWR-only table: the page prints no maximum trailer weight for this configuration. Page: available on Long Bed WT, LT and LTZ. LTZ not available with Double Cab. | 3.42 | Not readable in the source | 29,700 lbs | p. 44 |
| Configuration | Drive | Axle | Max trailer | GCWR | Needs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOX DELETEGCWR-only table: the page prints no maximum trailer weight for this configuration. Page: available on Long Bed WT, LT and LTZ. LTZ not available with Double Cab. | 3.42 | Not readable in the source | 40,000 lbs | p. 44 |
Common questions
Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD engine tows the most?
Duramax 6.6L V8, at up to 20,000 lbs. Next is 6.6L V8 gas at up to 16,800 lbs.
Can a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD tow a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer?
The manufacturer publishes fifth-wheel or gooseneck ratings for it, up to 36,000 lbs. They are listed by configuration above.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 2021 Trailering Guide (Chevrolet). Each row in the tables above links to the document and gives the page the figure is printed on.
Towing equipment for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
Parts sold to fit this vehicle. Fitting one does not raise a rating, and the tables above say what each rating needs.
- Trailer wiring harness for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. See on Amazon (paid link)
- Trailer hitch receiver for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. See on Amazon (paid link)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The ratings on this page come only from the documents cited.
Where these numbers come from
- 2021 Trailering Guide (Chevrolet), Chevrolet. Manufacturer towing guide. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
Page numbers count pages in the linked file, which can differ from the number printed in the corner. Report a number that looks wrong.
Related ratings
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD towing capacity
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD towing capacity
- Every year of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- Other pickup trucks that can tow 20,000 lbs
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- 2021 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, up to 10,000 lbs
- 2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van, up to 9,600 lbs