How Much Can A Chevy 1500 Tow (Duramax, Silverado, Diesel, V6, 4x4)

Do you know how much a Chevy 1500 Duramax, Silverado, Diesel, or 4×4 can tow, haul or pull? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is by its GVWR classified as either a class 2b or class 3 light-duty pickup truck, but by its towing capabilities, it is anything but light.

It features a wide range of engine options, which includes one diesel turbo-charged engine, and a wide range of options, technologies, and accessories intended to make towing easier and safer.

By looking at all the available options, one can draw a conclusion that Silverado 1500 was designed with one thing in mind, towing.

Browsing the interior and creature comfort options, you will realize that such was also intended to be done in style and with ease.

So, how much can a Chevy 1500 tow? On average, the Chevy 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds. However, the maximum towing capacity of the Chevy 1500 ranges between 7,100 and 13,300 pounds, which depending on the cab and bed selection can be a couple to a few hundred pounds lower.

Below you can find the most common towing capacity of the Chevy 1500 based on years which included:

The chevy 1500 Duramax can tow up to 9,100lb
The chevy 1500 Diesel can pull up to 9,300lb
The chevy 1500 V6 can pull up to 7,900lb
The chevy 1500 V8 can pull up to 13,300lb
The chevy 1500 4×4 can haul up to 12,500lb
The chevy 1500 5.3 Liters can pull up to 11,500 pounds
The chevy 1500 6.2 Liters can tow up to 13,300 pounds
The chevy 1500 z71 can tow up to 13,300 pounds
The chevy 1500 Silverado can tow up to 13,300 pounds

Table of Contents

What Is A Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity?

The most important factor which determines the maximum towing capacity of a Chevy Silverado 1500 is the presence of a towing package, or as Chevy calls it the Trailering Package.

Without it, your only towing option is a bumper hitch mount, which is a waste of space and money, as the optional basic Trailering Package is included in the price of all trims.

The next factor by importance is the engine selection, and their maximum tow ratings are:

2.7 liters turbocharged I4 – maximum conventional towing capacity is between 9,000 and 9,600 pounds, for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing between 8,900 and 9,500 pounds.
4.3 liters V6 EcoTec3 – maximum conventional towing capacity is between 7,200 and 7,900 pounds, for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing between 7,100 and 7,800 pounds.
5.3 liters V8 EcoTec3 – maximum conventional towing capacity is between 9,100 and 11,500 pounds, for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing between 7,700 and 11,500 pounds.
6.2 liters V8 EcoTec3 – maximum conventional towing capacity is between 9,200 and 13,300 pounds, for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing between 7,500 and 12,100 pounds.
3.0 liters I6 Duramax diesel – maximum conventional towing capacity is between 9,000 and 9,500 pounds, for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing between 7,600 and 9,500 pounds.

The exact number depends on the trim level, as additional equipment and parts can decrease the maximum towing capacity, but also the selection of gearboxes, drive, and bed and cab sizes.

To reach the maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds you would need Silverado 1500 configured in RST trim level, with 4×4 drive, the 6.2 liters V8 engine, and Max Trailering Package.

Below you can find the 2014–2021 Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity which included:

Year	Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity
2021	5,500-13,500 pounds
2020	5,500-13,400 pounds
2019	5,500-12,500 pounds
2018	5,500-9,400 pounds
2017	5,500-9,400 pounds
2016	9,000 pounds
2015	9,000 pounds
2014	9,000 pounds

Does The Chevy Silverado 1500 Come With A Towing Package?

The Chevy Silverado 1500 can be equipped with one of the two available towing packages, the Trailering and Max Trailering Package.

Both of these packages are consisting of parts and equipment that increase both the GVWR rating of the vehicle and the towing capacity.

Because the basic Trailering Package, even though optional equipment, is included in the base price of all trims, it should be included when purchasing a new vehicle.

For the same reason, a used Chevy Silverado 1500 is hard to find without it, or the beefier Max Trailering Package.

Basic Trailering Package is made of a trailer hitch receiver with a 2-inch tube, 7-wire harness with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors.

The Max Trailering Package includes everything from the basic one and adds to it the automatic locking rear diff, beefier rear suspension package with revised shock tuning, and heavier-duty springs, larger coolers, improved rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, and an electronic brake controller.

For proper towing, besides one of these packages, you would require additional accessories, such as hitch balls and hitch ball mounts, or a 5th-wheel hitch.

All of these are offered by Chevy as dealership accessories, and you can find a rich selection of various adjustable and otherwise parts.

What Towing Aides Are Available On A Chevy Silverado 1500?

Chevy Silverado 1500 might be the entry point of the Silverado lineup, but it can be equipped with practically the whole range of the towing aides as its bigger brothers.

The first aide that should be mentioned is the in-cabin integrated electric brake controller, as some of the other aides use its functionality.

As an optional accessory, the Curt ECHO mobile electronic brake controller is also available, and it allows you to control the trailer brake using a phone app.

The Hill Start Assist is an automatic system that prevents the vehicle to roll back when starting up, for which it will also activate the trailer brakes.

Automatic Engine Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking systems are the automatic systems that will when needed downshift and use the engine to maintain the desired speed and prevent it from accelerating when going downhill.

If the Tow/Haul drive mode is engaged, its automatic grade braking, the Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking program will take over the function of the above mentioned two programs.

The Tow/Haul Mode, in addition to this, will also change the settings of the electronically controlled transmission, and change shift points for easier towing and less gear hunting when cruizing at a constant speed.

The StabiliTrak electronic stability program is equipped with a dedicated Trailer Sway Control functionality, and will use the engine, vehicle, and trailer brakes to stabilize the trailer and vehicle if needed.

As an optional accessory, Silverado 1500 can come with towing side mirrors that add a deeper and wider view of what is behind the vehicle.

But more functional visibility aid is cameras, of which there can be up to eight, six on the vehicle itself and two wireless that can be mounted on the trailer.

The cameras’ software suite comes with up to 15 different camera views that will help you to easier attach, safer drive, and park; your trailer.

The graphical display on the central console will, when towing, show various grid lines depending on the selected view.

And on the road when a turn signal is activated, in combination with the blind spot monitor it will display the markings of the length of your trailer superimposed on the road.

In case that there is a vehicle in the other lane that is within the length of your trailer, these markings will turn red, signaling the danger of collision if you attempt to change the lane.

What You Can Tow With A Chevy Silverado 1500?

Depending on the exact configuration of a Chevy Silverado 1500, the ability to tow ranges from almost any kind of a trailer to literally any kind of a trailer.

The lowest towing capacity is an impressive 7,100 pounds, and the vast majority of trailers of any type have the GVWR under this limit.

The absolute maximum which can be achieved with a Chevy Silverado 1500 is 13,300 pounds when properly equipped with Max Trailering Package in the RST trim.

When it comes to camper trailers, there is only one model that comes anywhere near this capacity, the Jayco Eagle 334DROK with the GVWR of 12,825 pounds.

In other words, there are no camper trailers that exceed the towing capacity of a properly configured Chevy Silverado 1500.

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