Chevrolet Silverado Towing Capacity
How much weight can a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado actually tow?
The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado can tow up to 13,300 lbs when properly equipped; capacity drops with lighter axle ratios, smaller engines, and heavier cab or bed configurations.
Latest model year (2026):
The Chevrolet Silverado can tow up to 13,300 lbs (6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package).
Chevrolet Silverado Towing — All Years
| Year | Trim | Configuration | Max Towing | Payload | Curb Weight | GCWR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 13,300 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 12,500 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 12,500 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 12,500 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package | 12,500 lbs | — | — | — |
Manufacturer specification data sourced from Manufacturer published towing specifications, last verified August 11, 2026. Always confirm against the owner's manual or door-jamb placard before towing or buying tires — figures vary by cab, bed, axle ratio, and options.
Chevrolet Silverado data analysis
Max towing capacity: 13,300 lbs
The Chevrolet Silverado tows 13,300 lbs at most (6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package), on the 2026 model year. That is three-quarter-ton capacity — large travel trailers, car haulers, two-horse trailers with living quarters. The floor is 12,500 lbs — only 6% under the peak. Any version of this vehicle tows within a trailer-load of any other. That is rank 4 of 51 tow-rated vehicles here — top quartile. The cohort median is 5,600 lbs, so this vehicle sits 7,700 lbs above the middle of the field. Next rung up is the Ford F-150 at 14,000 lbs, 700 lbs clear of this one. Immediately behind: the GMC Sierra at 13,200 lbs. Hitch requirement at full weight: Class V weight-distributing.
What it tows loaded
Plan around 10,650 lbs, not 13,300. The rating assumes one driver and nothing else — no passengers, no cargo, no roof rack, no aftermarket bumper. Tongue weight on a 10,650 lb trailer is 1,330–2,000 lbs, and that lands on payload, not on the tow rating. Payload is not published for every configuration in this record. The yellow door-jamb sticker on the specific vehicle is the governing number. Trailers over 3,000 lbs need their own brakes in most states, and this vehicle is rated well past that, so budget for a brake controller. Anything this pulls needs trailer brakes and a weight-distributing hitch. The tow rating is not the hard part; stopping is. These are certified manufacturer ratings, not tested results. The governing number for any individual truck is on its door-jamb label and in its owner's manual.
Which configuration hits the number
12 rated configurations across 12 model years (2015–2026). Two paths through the range: 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package and 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package. Everything else is shared. A bolt-on hitch does not raise capacity. The rating is built on cooling, axle ratio, brakes and frame reinforcement fitted at the factory. Sources for these 12 rows: manufacturer filings, covering 12 model years.
How Chevrolet Silverado maximum towing capacity varies
Across 12 configurations recorded for the 2015 through 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, maximum towing capacity runs from 12,500 lbs to 13,300 lbs. The strongest figure belongs to the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado (6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package) at 13,300 lbs, and the weakest to the 2018 car (5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package) at 12,500 lbs — a spread of 6%. The narrow spread means any year of the Chevrolet Silverado in this table behaves much like the others, so you can shop on price, condition and mileage rather than chasing a particular model year.
What changed for 2026
Average maximum towing capacity for the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado is 13,300 lbs, against 13,300 lbs for the 2025 car — it held flat. A carry-over year like this usually means no powertrain or structural change, so an older example is the cheaper way into the same specification.
Configurations behind these Chevrolet Silverado numbers
The 2015 through 2026 Chevrolet Silverado entries here cover the variants 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package and 5.3L/6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package. 2026 is the busiest model year in the record with 1 separate measured configuration, which is why a single quoted maximum towing capacity figure for that year is rarely the one that matches the car in front of you. Match the row to the exact drivetrain, body style and engine on the window sticker or VIN before relying on the number, and use the comparison links below to see how those same configurations line up against rival models.
Official Factory Specs vs. AutoSpecData Expert Benchmarks
Factory ratings are measured cold, flat, and empty. These are the numbers we would actually hook a trailer to.
| Measurement | Official factory spec | AutoSpecData expert benchmark | Shop note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max trailer weight | 13,300 lbs | 10,650 lbs | 80% safety margin. Flat highway, properly equipped, brakes on the trailer. |
| Sustained grade / heat | 13,300 lbs | 9,300 lbs | 70% margin for mountain passes, summer heat, and altitude. |
| Tongue weight at safe limit | — | ~1,300 lbs | 12% of the loaded trailer. Too light and it sways at 65 mph. |
The Chevrolet Silverado benchmark applies our 80% Towing Safety Margin (80% everyday / 70% grades) to the manufacturer's rating. It is a working recommendation, not a factory figure — the door placard and hitch label still win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silverado Towing
How much can a Chevrolet Silverado tow?
The Chevrolet Silverado can tow up to 13,300 lbs with the 6.2L V8 with Max Trailering Package configuration. Capacity varies by engine, axle ratio, cab and bed configuration — see the year-by-year table above.
What is the payload capacity of the Chevrolet Silverado?
Payload figures depend on trim and options — always check the yellow sticker on the driver's door jamb of your specific vehicle.
Do I need a weight distribution hitch with the Chevrolet Silverado?
Most manufacturers require a weight distribution hitch once trailer weight exceeds roughly 5,000 lbs, and tongue weight should stay near 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight. Confirm the exact threshold in your owner's manual before towing.