More technology, more luxurious interior and more towing! Those are the key updates on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD. The Detroit Three are continuing to fight for the position of top dog in the pickup truck wars and it means that consumers win, as all the automakers are upgrading their pickups and Heavy-Duty versions.
Studies show that virtually everyone who has a heavy duty truck uses it to tow either for work or leisure. Chevrolet has increased the towing capacity for its 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD to a whopping 36,000 pounds. That is enough to haul huge loads for work or most of the leisure campers and recreational vehicles on the market. Chevy is also adding new technology to make trailering easier and safer.
Drivers of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD can opt for up to 15 different camera views around the vehicle and eight cameras specifically for towing. Chevrolet is also adding some technology for both the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the HD versions that should make everyone safer. See the Chevrolet descriptions of the new technology below.
Chevrolet’s New Trailering Technology:
- Trailer Length Indicator: When making a lane-change with the turn signal activated, a red overlay twice the length of the trailer is shown on the center screen, which can help show when it is clear to change lanes.
- Jack-Knife Alert: Tracks the position of the trailer in relation to the vehicle and provides an alert if a potential jack-knife situation is imminent.
- Cargo Bed View: Adds a Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance are available, which help to align and hook up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer.
- Rear Trailer View now features guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator: Enhanced to include guidelines when backing a trailer into place and a Trailer-Angle Indicator shows the relationship between the truck and trailer.
- Rear Side View enhancement: Provides a split view, automatically based on the trailer’s angle, of the left and right sides of the truck and trailer. This view was previously only available while driving forward and is now available in Reverse for better visibility when positioning a trailer.
Reaching Out to New Buyers
The trailering and towing advancements are significant for all the truck makers. It is an indication of just how important the towing segment is and how it is growing. The Coronavirus pandemic has significantly increased the interest in recreational vehicles. Everywhere you look, people are writing about investing in RVs because they feel safer vacationing in their own living spaces. Many are choosing to take driving vacations rather than flying and staying in hotels. The new trailering technology will be especially important to people who are new to RVing and need help hooking up and hauling. The truck manufacturers are smart to develop and market the technology that can save lives.
The 2021 Silverado HD models are already in production. They should be arriving in dealerships any day now.
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