2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 towing capacity
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 tows up to 9,500 lb. That figure requires Crew Cab 2WD, 3.23 axle.
What it means loaded
A trailer at the full 9,500 lb puts roughly 1,140 lb on the hitch at a typical 12% tongue weight. Against the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's best-case payload of 2,280 lb, that leaves about 1,140 lb for passengers, fuel, gear and the weight-distributing hitch.
Against the other 2021 engines
| Engine | Max towing | vs. this engine | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 | 9,500 lb | this page | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 | 7,900 lb | −1,600 lb | 285 hp / 305 lb-ft |
| 2.7L Turbo I4 | 9,600 lb | +100 lb | 310 hp / 348 lb-ft |
| 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 | 11,600 lb | +2,100 lb | 355 hp / 383 lb-ft |
| 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 | 13,300 lb | +3,800 lb | 420 hp / 460 lb-ft |
The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 across model years
| Year | Max towing | GCWR | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13,300 lb | 19,000 lb | 305 hp / 495 lb-ft |
| 2024 | 13,300 lb | 19,000 lb | 305 hp / 495 lb-ft |
| 2023 | 13,300 lb | 19,000 lb | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 2022 | 13,300 lb | 19,000 lb | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 2021 | 9,500 lb | 15,000 lb | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 2020 | 9,500 lb | 15,000 lb | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
Source: Chevrolet 2021 Silverado 1500 Trailering Guide.
Common questions
How much can a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 tow?
Up to 9,500 lb, configured as Crew Cab 2WD, 3.23 axle. The engine makes 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, with a GCWR of 15,000 lb. Your own truck's rating depends on its cab, bed, drivetrain and axle ratio, and is printed on the certification label in the driver's door jamb.
How much less does the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 tow than the top 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine?
The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 is rated at 13,300 lb, which is 3,800 lb more than the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6's 9,500 lb. Whether that gap matters depends on payload — tongue weight, not towing capacity, is what most half-ton owners actually run out of first.
Does the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 need the tow package to reach 9,500 lb?
Yes. That rating assumes Crew Cab 2WD, 3.23 axle. Without the factory tow package — the upgraded receiver, wiring, cooling and in most cases a specific axle ratio — the same engine is rated substantially lower.
Related
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 towing capacity
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 towing capacity
- All 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engines compared
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 towing capacity by year
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tire sizes
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 bolt pattern (6x120mm for 2021)
Check your door jamb. The figures here are the maximum ratings for a properly equipped truck in its best towing configuration. Your specific truck's cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio and options all lower it. The certification label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual are the authority for your vehicle. Source: Chevrolet 2021 Silverado 1500 Trailering Guide. Figures reviewed 10 August 2026.