Dyer Chevrolet Lake Wales

Chevy Silverado Payload Capacity

Dyer Chevrolet Lake Wales in Lake Wales FL

You have your eye on a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck to keep up with you on the job site, and you want to know more about the Chevy Silverado payload capacity. We get it. One of the most common questions we receive at our new truck dealership is, “What’s the difference between payload and towing capacity?”

The new Chevy Silverado for sale is built to perform with its powerful powertrain, towing capability, and famous Chevy Silverado payload capacity. If this is your first truck or you’re comparing the Silverado 1500 to the Silverado HD, you might be asking, “What is payload capacity?”

Simply put, the payload is how much your truck can carry, and towing is how much your truck can pull. When figuring out Silverado payload and towing capacities, there is a simple calculation to determine the Chevy Silverado payload:

  • Payload Capacity = Gross Vehicle Weight – Curb Weight.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total amount of weight your truck can handle, including the truck. So, take that number and subtract the weight of your empty truck. The answer you get is the number of pounds of gravel, people, suitcases, dirt, etc., you can pile into it.

Chevy Silverado Payload Specs

Our dealership is here to answer all of your questions about towing vs. payload and to provide you with a helpful Chevy Silverado payload capacity chart that details the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 payload vs. 2500 HD vs. 3500 HD.

If you are interested in flat towing a Chevy Silverado behind an RV or if you have any questions about towing a Chevy Silverado, please reach out to our dealership. Our team can tell you how to four-down tow a 2021 Silverado 1500 4×4 High Country and when you need to install a supplemental braking system or an automatic battery disconnect switch.

FAQs

What does payload capacity mean?

When it comes to the difference between towing capacity and payload capacity, our team is here. Towing capacity is the number of pounds your new Silverado can drag along behind it. An example of an item that can be towed is a small boat on a trailer (when properly equipped). Payload capacity is the number of pounds your new Silverado can hold inside of it. If you plan to fill the bed with firewood, sand, gravel, mulch, dirt, or dirt bikes, then you care about the amount of weight your vehicle can hold. That’s the payload.

How much weight can a Silverado 1500 carry in the bed?

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has a payload capacity of 1,750-2,280 pounds, depending on equipment. To figure out how much your new truck can carry in its bed, take that number and subtract your weight along with the weight of any passengers and luggage in the cab. Payload capacity is the overall weight your vehicle can carry, so to isolate the weight the bed can handle, you have to account for weight in other sections of the truck.

Can I exceed my payload capacity?

It is not recommended to exceed the payload capacity of your vehicle. Doing so can cause serious damage to the engine, transmission, tires, and frame. Exceeding your truck’s payload will add stress to the suspension system, wheels, and shocks, making it difficult to control your truck and unsafe to drive. An excessive payload could also cause one or more tires to blow out. If you think you need a heavy-duty truck with serious payload capabilities, we recommend the Silverado 2500 HD or Silverado 3500 HD.

Chevy Silverado Payload Capacity Chart

Year Silverado 1500 Silverado 2500HD Silverado 3500HD
2020-2021 1,750-2,280 pounds 3,614-3,900 pounds 4,353-4,572 pounds
2019 1,745-2,543 pounds 2,968-3,435 pounds 3,283-6,137 pounds
2017-2018 1,739-2,018 pounds 2,968-3,559 pounds 3,283-4,415 pounds
2016 1,734-1,990 pounds 2,967-3,559 pounds 3,305-6,288 pounds
2015 1,738-2,011 pounds 2,975-3,583 pounds 3,305-6,288 pounds

Silverado 1500 for Sale at Dyer Chevy Lake Wales

Now that you know more about how payload compares to towing, you’ll want to get your hands on a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lease offer or one of our used Silverado trucks for sale. The 2020 Chevy Silverado and 2019 Silverado trucks have similar payload specs as the 2021 Silverado payload. If you’re shopping for used trucks for sale, don’t miss our impressive inventory.

*Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.