Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity

One of Chevrolet’s most popular pickup trucks is the full-size Silverado. From the Silverado 1500 to the beefy 2500HD and 3500HD workhorses, the Chevy Silverado lineup of trucks offers solid powertrains and impressive towing capability.

With several engines, three transmissions, and three drivetrains to choose from, the Silverado will get you and your trailer where you want to go.

Let’s explore the performance and trailing features of the Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD so you can decide which is the right truck for your needs and lifestyle.

Chevy Silverado 1500

With eight trim levels to choose from — the Work Truck, Custom, LT, RST, Custom Trail Boss, LTZ, LT Trail Boss, and High Country — you’re sure to find the ideal truck from the 2020 Silverado 1500 lineup.

All trim levels of the half-ton Silverado 1500s come with a variety of powerful engines to choose from. The truck also offers a six-speed, eight-speed, or 10-speed automatic transmission, with the number of options varying by trim level. Finally, choose from all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, which also vary by trim. 

Here are the available engines for the Silverado 1500 and their towing capacity:

• 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the
• drivetrain, and cab and bed configuration, the maximum towing capacity is 6,800 pounds.
• 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged diesel engine with 260 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the cab and bed configuration and drivetrain, it has a max towing capacity of 9,300 pounds. 
• 4.3-liter EcoTec V-6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. This engine has a max towing capacity of 7,900 pounds depending on cab and bed configuration and drivetrain.
• A 5.3-liter V-8, 355-horse-powered engine with 383 pound-feet of torque can tow up to 10,000 pounds with the right drivetrain and cab and bed configuration. With the eight-speed transmission and Max Trailering Package, the 5.3-liter engine can tow up to 11,600 pounds. 
• 6.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, combined with the proper cab and bed configuration, drivetrain, and Max Trailering Package, can tow up to 13,400 pounds. 

Cab configurations for the 1500:

There are three cab configurations: the two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, or the four-door Crew Cab. The Regular Cab comes with the long 8-foot bed, and the Double Cab comes with the standard 6.6-foot bed. Meanwhile, the Crew Cab comes with either a short bed (about 5.8 feet) or the standard bed.

Chevy Silverado 2500HD

Take your Silverado to a higher level with the three-quarter-ton Silverado 2500HD model. Built for heavy-duty work and towing capabilities, the 2500HD comes in five trim levels: the Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. All trims come with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a six-speed, eight-speed, or ten-speed transmission. 

You’ll find two engines with the 2500HD:

• Standard is a 6.6-liter V-8 gas engine that delivers 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a six-speed transmission. With the proper bed and cab configuration and drivetrain, you’ll have a towing capacity of 14,500 pounds. When you have a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer, the numbers jump to 17,370.

The optional diesel engine for the 2500HD is:

• The 6.6-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel engine that delivers an impressive 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The Duramax engine pairs with an Alison ten-speed automatic transmission. With the right combination of drivetrain and cab and bed configuration, the diesel engine can get up to 18,500 pounds of towing capacity.  

Cab configurations for the 2500HD:

Three cab configurations: the two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, or the four-door Crew Cab. Two cargo bed lengths, six-foot, and eight-foot pair with the correct cab configurations as well as the appropriate drivetrain.

Chevy Silverado 3500HD

Choose from four trim levels with the full-ton Silverado 3500 HD: the Work Truck, LT, LTZ, and High Country. All trims come with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a six-speed, eight-speed, or ten-speed transmission.

The standard engine for the 3500HD:

• The 6.6-liter V-8 gas engine that delivers 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a six-speed transmission. With the proper bed and cab configuration and drivetrain, you’ll have a towing capacity of 16,800 pounds. When you have a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer, the numbers jump to 17,590.

The optional diesel engine for the 3500HD:

• The 6.6-liter Duramax turbocharged V-8 diesel engine that delivers an impressive 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The Duramax engine pairs with an Alison ten-speed automatic transmission.

Towing capacity for the V-8 diesel engine on the 3500HD:

• With the right combination of cab and bed configuration and drivetrain, the diesel engine can get up to 20,000 pounds of towing capacity. When you have a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer, the numbers jump to an impressive 35,000 pounds.

The 3500HD can have a dual-wheel set up that offers a wider stance for the truck, which gives more stability when towing larger loads.

Cab configurations for the 3500HD:

The 3500HD comes with three cab configurations: the two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, or the four-door Crew Cab. Two cargo bed lengths, six-foot, and eight-foot pair with the correct cab configurations as well as the appropriate drivetrain.

Trailering Packages and Options for the 2020 Silverado

To get the most out of the Silverado’s towing capabilities, let’s take a look at the standard and available trailering packages and options. 

The standard Trailering Package includes:

• Trailer hitch platform.
• 2-inch receiver.
• 4-way pin connector.
• 7-wire harness with a 7-way sealed connector.
• Automatic locking rear differential.

You can increase your towing performance with the optional Max Trailering Package. 

The Max Trailer Package includes:

• Revised shock tuning.
• Heavy-duty rear springs.
• Heavy-duty suspension.
• Enhanced cooling radiator.
• A 9.76-inch rear axle.
• Integrated trailer brake controller.
• Optional towing mirrors. 

The optional Advanced Trailering system works with the in-cabin Chevrolet infotainment 3 system, and display screen so you can monitor the trailer from the comfort of the cabin. 

Key features of the Advanced Trailering system include:

• Lets you store five different trailer profiles.
• Monitor trailer tire pressure from the display screen.
• Test the trailer lights from the infotainment screen.
• Use the pre-checklist.
• Use the guide-by-guide directions to help you hitch your trailer.
• Check items off of your trailer-to-do list.

To learn more about the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500 HD, and the 3500 HD, and to take one for a test drive, stop by Cochran Chevrolet today.