DETROIT — The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado will offer a multifunctional tailgate, similar to the GMC Sierra’s, along with major boosts in trailering power and enhanced trailering technology.
The Silverado’s Multi-Flex Tailgate, reported by Automotive News last month, offers six functions and allows for easier access to bed cargo, a better loading entry and a standing workstation. The tailgate will be available early next year on 2021 Silverado 1500 models, Chevy said in a statement Monday.
The Multi-Flex Tailgate features a main gate that folds out and down, along with a cross-functional inner gate to help with loading access as well as serve as a work table.
More than 70 percent of Sierra 1500 and 85 percent of Sierra heavy-duty pickups sold this year were equipped with GMC’s MultiPro Tailgate, a GMC spokesman said last month. The MultiPro Tailgate is standard on the SLT, AT4 and Denali trims. This week, GMC said it will also come standard on the SLE.
Output of the 2021 Silverado, along with the 2021 Sierra, will begin this month.
The Silverado will also feature increased trailering capacity on models equipped with the 2.7-liter turbo engine and the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine.
On the 2.7-liter turbo, crew cab short-box models increase trailering ratings by 2,500 pounds to a maximum capacity of 9,300 pounds in two-wheel drive. The diesel engine adds nearly 2,000 pounds of trailering capacity to almost every configuration for a maximum capacity of 9,500 pounds on 2wd models, according to Chevy’s statement.
Chevy and GMC also slashed the sticker prices of the diesel-powered pickups by $1,500.
Both brands’ pickups will feature new trailering technology: a trailer length indicator, which helps with lane changes, and a jackknife alert, which alerts the driver of potential jackknife situations.