Photo: Chevrolet
Remember when Chevrolet revealed the Multi-Flex tailgate with great pomp and circumstance on a fully-loaded prototype? Following the September 2020 announcement, the Silverado 1500 is now available with the fancy tailgate at wildly different prices depending on the spec.
Don’t be fooled by the $260 in the headline because that price point applies to well-equipped pickups such as the LTZ. At the bottom of the spectrum, the WT trim level with the Regular Cab and 4.3-liter V6 engine offers the Multi-Flex tailgate from $595 in addition to $1,600 for the must-have Work Truck Convenience Package. But wait, there’s more!
The most expensive total is $2,710 for the WT in Double Cab and Crew Cab flavors with the 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder Tripower engine. The fancy tailgate for these configurations is $595 plus $1,515 for the Work Truck Value Package and four options ranging from $100 to $225. The question is, what makes the Multi-Flex better than the standard tailgate?
For starters, it has plenty more features than simply opening and closing. Pretty much the same thing as the MultiPro tailgate for the half-ton GMC Sierra, the Multi-Flex can withstand up to 375 pounds (170 kilograms). Six unique functions also need to be mentioned, but I can’t make a case for the Multi-Flex if you want to use the Silverado for truck-like things.
Towing capacity? It doesn’t improve it. Payload capacity? The answer is no. What I can definitely recommend is the Durabed, which sounds like a generic mattress brand at first glance. This option enables more cargo capacity for the short, medium, and long boxes, along with larger cutouts in the corner step bumpers and high-grade steel construction. The number of fixed tie-down points also increases to 12, each rated at 500 pounds (227 kilograms).
At the time of writing, the most affordable ‘Rado for the 2021 model year is available from $30,595 excluding destination charge and extras. The most expensive configuration of the lot kicks off at $61,790 for the 4WD Crew Cab High Country with the Standard Bed and 6.2-liter small-block V8.
The most expensive total is $2,710 for the WT in Double Cab and Crew Cab flavors with the 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder Tripower engine. The fancy tailgate for these configurations is $595 plus $1,515 for the Work Truck Value Package and four options ranging from $100 to $225. The question is, what makes the Multi-Flex better than the standard tailgate?
For starters, it has plenty more features than simply opening and closing. Pretty much the same thing as the MultiPro tailgate for the half-ton GMC Sierra, the Multi-Flex can withstand up to 375 pounds (170 kilograms). Six unique functions also need to be mentioned, but I can’t make a case for the Multi-Flex if you want to use the Silverado for truck-like things.
Towing capacity? It doesn’t improve it. Payload capacity? The answer is no. What I can definitely recommend is the Durabed, which sounds like a generic mattress brand at first glance. This option enables more cargo capacity for the short, medium, and long boxes, along with larger cutouts in the corner step bumpers and high-grade steel construction. The number of fixed tie-down points also increases to 12, each rated at 500 pounds (227 kilograms).
At the time of writing, the most affordable ‘Rado for the 2021 model year is available from $30,595 excluding destination charge and extras. The most expensive configuration of the lot kicks off at $61,790 for the 4WD Crew Cab High Country with the Standard Bed and 6.2-liter small-block V8.
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