Chevrolet’s reputation for building reliable vehicles extends to its commercial fleet, where you’ll find the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 4500. The truck is more than capable of getting the job done, and that’s exactly why so many commercial operations turn to Chevrolet for their transportation needs. But what makes the 2021 Silverado 4500 so capable? From the power it packs under the hood to its many upfit options, let’s take a closer look at everything the latest Silverado 4500 has to offer its commercial drivers.
Starting with the Basics: The Specs
Starting at $49,300, the 2021 Silverado 4500 is an attractive option for businesses looking for a customizable and robust truck that’s capable of hauling heavy loads with ease. It’s available as a regular or crew cab with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 14,001 and 16,500 pounds. This means that the upfit options are plentiful for the Silverado 4500, but more on those in a moment!
The Silverado 4500 chassis cab boasts a large fuel capacity and what Chevrolet calls “nonnegotiable power.” That power comes in the form of a Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine with an Allison transmission. To enhance performance and handling both on and off-road, the Silverado 4500 also comes with an available locking rear axle.
Beyond its impressive power, Chevrolet also recognizes that drivers need easy access to the engine. That’s why the Silverado 4500 features a forward-tilting engine cover, and a wheel cut design. The wheel cut design serves two purposes—to enhance maneuverability in tight spaces and to provide a clear access point to the engine. The Silverado’s accessibility extends beyond the hood to the driver’s side of the cab, where, just below the door, sits an easy-to-reach battery box with an auxiliary jump-start stud. This is a huge benefit should the Silverado 4500 ever need a battery replacement or a jump-start.
Upfitting Your Silverado 4500
The Silverado’s impressive GVWR, which includes the weight of the vehicle, cargo, equipment, and passengers, makes it ideal to upfit. Businesses can choose from a long list of upfit options depending on their needs. Those upfit options transform the Silverado 4500 into an ambulance and rescue rig, a cargo body hauler, dump truck, mobility vehicle, RV, snowplow or spreader, or a utility and service vehicle.
Ambulance and Rescue
Medical organizations often choose the Silverado 4500 to outfit as an ambulance or rescue rig. Available in either a regular or crew cab with two-wheel or four-wheel drive, this package includes a Vortec 6.0-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed transmission that delivers 341 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. The maximum payload on the upfit is 8,993 pounds with a GVWR of 16,500 pounds. Drivers also have several exterior color options, including Satin Steel Metallic, Kinetic Blue Metallic, Wheatland Yellow, Red Hot, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Black, and Graphite Metallic.
Mobility
The Silverado 4500 can also be upfitted as a mobility vehicle with adaptive equipment. This equipment is designed to meet various mobility needs and is permanently installed in the vehicle for a driver or passenger with a permanent disability. Some of the equipment is also available for reimbursement, which provides owners additional financial assistance in outfitting the Silverado to meet their needs best. So, what equipment can be added to the mobility upfit?
The mobility upfit includes a long list of options to enhance the use of the Silverado for those with disabilities. The steering system can be adapted with a steering column extension, an emergency backup, foot-control steering, horizontal steering, or reduced and zero-effort steering. The driver position can also be modified to include elbow switches, a wheelchair tie-down or lockdown system, and turn signal or gear selector levers for the left or right hands.
Like the steering system, the brake and acceleration systems can be adjusted as needed. Drivers can opt for reduced effort braking and emergency backup, pedal extenders or hand controls, and left-foot acceleration. The parking brake can also be modified from the standard lever to an extension lever, electric, or push-pull control to make it more accessible and user-friendly.
Entry to the vehicle and its interior configuration can also be modified. Drivers can add assist handles and steps to the truck as well as a wheelchair or scooter lift. The interior seats can be adjusted to include seat belt extenders and vinyl seat covers, as well as an extended travel transfer seat or a turn-out swivel seat to make entry and exit easy. Additional modifications to the truck include a joystick driving system as well as a wheelchair or scooter carrier or hoist.
RV
For drivers who are looking to take their home on the road, the RV upfit is a great option for the Silverado 4500. Available in Black, Kinetic Blue Metallic, Red Hot, Summit White, Silver Ice Metallic, and Shadow Gray Metallic, the RV application includes a 6.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 341 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed automatic, heavy-duty transmission. Other standard features include Hill Start Assist, the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, the Rear Vision Camera Prep package, daytime running lamps, and dual rear wheels.
Drivers can upgrade the RV package even further by selecting from a variety of available features. For example, drivers looking for enhanced connectivity can add the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Bluetooth wireless technology as well as the Chevrolet Infotainment System with Navigation. Additional convenience upgrades include remote start, remote keyless entry, extended mirrors, power door locks and windows, and cruise control.
Other Options
There are plenty of other options to upfit the 2021 Silverado 4500. For those wanting complete customization, the platform or stake upfit is an outstanding option since it gives drivers a versatile platform to customize the truck for their every need. For drivers in colder regions where snow is plentiful, the Silverado 4500 can be outfitted as a snowplow or spreader, complete with available upgrades like rooftop emergency lights to enhance visibility during dark winter conditions. The Silverado can also be upfitted as a cargo body, which transforms the truck into a cargo hauler designed to haul everything from furniture and small equipment to produce and more.
One of the most popular upfits is the utility or service package. Any time you see an electric company working on a power line or an internet service provider conducting a service call, chances are they’re driving a Silverado 4500. When upfitted as a utility or service vehicle, the Silverado provides exceptional handling and customization whether the driver is hauling equipment and gear or traversing rugged terrain. This is also true when the Silverado is outfitted as a dump truck, which is available on the low cab 4500 option. Thanks to the 4500’s high GVWR, the Silverado makes an outstanding dump truck capable of tackling the toughest roads and the roughest conditions.
What’s Your Upfit
Whether you’re an individual looking to upfit your 2021 Silverado 4500 as an RV or you’re a business owner in need of a commercial truck, Chevrolet has you covered. The Silverado 4500 is an outstanding workhorse that offers rugged reliability. The fact that it can be upfitted to meet a variety of needs—to serve as an ambulance, rescue rig, cargo hauler, dump truck, utility vehicle, and more—is truly the icing on the cake!
