2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Match the Cab, Bed and Powertrain

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has three bed lengths: 69.92 inches, 79.44 inches and 98.18 inches, paired with Crew, Double and Regular Cabs as shown below. Its maximum conventional towing rating is 13,400 lb, but that requires a specific 6.2L RST Double Cab configuration—not simply any V8 Silverado. GM bed dimensions and Chevrolet’s 2020 trailering guide establish those figures.

For a used purchase, identify the cab, bed, engine code, transmission and trailering equipment before comparing asking prices. “2020 Silverado LT 5.3” is not a complete capability description.

Cab and bed dimensions

These are the U.S.-market 2020 Silverado 1500 combinations; do not substitute Silverado HD dimensions.

Cab and bed	Inside bed length	Bed cargo volume	Overall truck length
Regular Cab, Long Bed	98.18 in.	89.1 cu. ft.	229.5 in.
Double Cab, Standard Bed	79.44 in.	71.7 cu. ft.	231.7 in.
Crew Cab, Short Bed	69.92 in.	62.9 cu. ft.	231.7 in.
Crew Cab, Standard Bed	79.44 in.	71.7 cu. ft.	241.2 in.

Sources: GM’s 2020 pickup-box drawing, page 24, and Chevrolet’s 2020 Silverado brochure. Dimensions are nominal factory figures; measure the actual truck for close-clearance parking or accessory fitment.

The Double Cab Standard Bed and Crew Cab Short Bed are both about 19 feet 3.7 inches long. The choice trades bed length for passenger space: Chevrolet lists 35.2 inches of rear legroom in the Double Cab versus 43.4 inches in the Crew Cab. The Crew Cab Standard Bed stretches to about 20 feet 1.2 inches. Chevrolet dimensions

For hauling:

• Regular Cab Long Bed: the only listed combination with enough bed-floor length for 8-foot material behind a closed tailgate.
• Double Cab Standard Bed: longer cargo space without the overall length of a Crew Cab Standard Bed, but less rear-seat legroom.
• Crew Cab Short Bed: the passenger-space choice when parking length matters.
• Crew Cab Standard Bed: adds 9.52 inches of bed length over the short bed while retaining the larger rear cabin.

A toolbox, liner or other installed equipment can reduce usable space. For broader comparisons, see our Silverado bed dimensions guide.

Engines and transmissions

Chevrolet listed six engine choices, counting the two different 5.3L V8 versions separately. Their displacement and output are identical, but their cylinder-deactivation systems and transmission pairings differ.

Engine and code	Horsepower	Torque	Automatic transmission
4.3L V6, LV3	285 hp	305 lb-ft	6-speed
2.7L turbo inline-four, L3B	310 hp	348 lb-ft	8-speed
5.3L V8, L82	355 hp	383 lb-ft	6-speed
5.3L V8, L84	355 hp	383 lb-ft	8- or 10-speed, depending on configuration
6.2L V8, L87	420 hp	460 lb-ft	10-speed
3.0L Duramax diesel inline-six, LM2	277 hp	460 lb-ft	10-speed

Source: Chevrolet’s powertrain specifications and equipment tables.

The L82 uses Active Fuel Management; the L84 uses Dynamic Fuel Management. The 2020 LT Trail Boss and High Country 4x4 pair the L84 with a 10-speed. Do not assume every 2020 5.3L has that transmission. Chevrolet engine specifications

Verify the original equipment record, particularly before ordering parts or servicing it; our Silverado transmission-fluid guide explains why transmission identification matters.

The LM2 diesel is worth comparing for highway use: Chevrolet published EPA estimates of 23 city/33 highway mpg for 2WD, versus 23/29 mpg for 4x4. Those are configuration-specific estimates, not towing fuel economy. Chevrolet powertrain brochure

What it can actually tow

The 13,400-lb maximum requires an RST Double Cab Standard Bed 4x4, 6.2L V8, 3.42 axle ratio, Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels.

Other examples show why the engine badge alone is insufficient:

Selected configuration	Axle ratio	Conventional trailer rating
4.3L Regular Cab Long Bed 2WD	3.42	7,900 lb
2.7L Double Cab Standard Bed 4x4	3.42	6,600 lb
5.3L/8-speed Double Cab Standard Bed 2WD, Max Trailering Package	3.42	11,600 lb
6.2L Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4, without Max Trailering Package, non-Trail Boss	3.23	9,200 lb
6.2L Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4, Max Trailering Package	3.42	12,000 lb
3.0L diesel Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4	3.23	9,300 lb

Source: Chevrolet’s 2020 conventional trailering table, page 14. These are selected configurations, not universal engine maximums.

Match the truck to the guide and verify its own ratings. Passengers, cargo and accessories can reduce what you can tow. Trailer tongue weight also loads the truck, so check payload, GVWR, rear-axle, GCWR and hitch limits—not just total trailer weight. Weigh the truck and trailer fully loaded for the trip.

Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 table specifies conventional tongue weight of 10–15% of loaded trailer weight, up to 1,250 lb. That stated limit makes it especially important not to treat the 13,400-lb headline as permission to tow any trailer of that weight: confirm the specific truck’s tongue-weight rating and the trailer’s requirements before selecting it. Chevrolet trailering requirements

Trim choices and used-buying checks

The eight trims are WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ and High Country. WT emphasizes utility; Custom adds appearance and convenience equipment; LT and RST offer more everyday equipment with different exterior treatments. LTZ adds leather-appointed front seating and heated-seat equipment, while High Country adds features including ventilated front seats and the power-up/down tailgate.

Both Trail Boss trims have a 2-inch factory suspension lift and standard Z71 off-road equipment. A Z71 badge on another trim does not establish that it has the Trail Boss lift. Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control were available on LTZ and High Country; verify the installed packages rather than assuming they are standard. Chevrolet trim and safety equipment

Before buying:

1. Confirm the build. Obtain the equipment record and photograph the truck’s weight-rating labels. Check the actual bed, seating layout and trailering equipment.
2. Inspect cold and fully warmed up. Have an independent shop check for leaks, stored faults, abnormal engine noise and transmission behavior. Include the frame, hitch, tires and evidence of collision repair or suspension modifications.
3. Run the VIN for open recalls. NHTSA’s VIN lookup shows unrepaired recalls, not a history of completed repairs. Ask for repair documentation as well. NHTSA recall lookup
4. Recheck diesel recall completion. Recall 24V797 covers certain 2020–2022 diesel Silverado 1500s for transmission-control-valve wear that can cause momentary rear-wheel lockup. Its remedy includes updated control software. The filing specifically excludes gasoline vehicles from that campaign. GM’s recall filing

As of October 9, 2026, do not rely solely on documentation of the earlier diesel recall repair. Follow-up recall 26V083 / GM N252516560 covers certain vehicles that may have received an incorrect repair under the earlier campaign. Dealers inspect the software and update it if necessary, at no charge. Not every previously repaired truck is included; confirm current VIN status before taking delivery. GM’s follow-up recall notice