SILVERADO 1500 AND 2500 FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILERING
The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the appropriate equipment required to safely fifth-wheel tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed. Ask your Chevrolet dealer for advice about the proper trailering equipment for your new vehicle.
ENGINE TRANSMISSION			VORTEC 4800 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC		VORTEC 5300 V6 SFI MANUAL		VORTEC 6000 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL
MODEL		BOX LENGTH (FT.)	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO
1500 2WD(2)	Regular Cab	6 1/2	6400 7400	3.42 3.73	7400 8400	3.42 3.73
		8	6300 7300	3.42 3.73	7300 8300	3.42 3.73
	Extended Cab	6 1/2(3)	6100 7100	3.42 3.73	7100 8000	3.42 3.73
		8	5900 6900	3.42 3.73	6900 7900	3.42 3.73
1500 4x4(2)	Regular Cab	6 1/2	7100 7900	3.73 4.10	7900 7900	3.73 4.10
		8	7000 8000	3.73 4.10	8000 8900	3.73 4.10
	Extended Cab	6 1/2(3)	6800 7700	3.73 4.10	7700 7700	3.73 4.10
		8	6700 6800	3.73 4.10	6800 6800	3.73 4.10
1500HD 2WD	Crew Cab	6 1/2(3)					8200 10,200	3.73 4.10
1500HD 4x4	Crew Cab	6 1/2(3)					7900 9900	3.73 4.10
2500 2WD	Regular Cab	8					8700 10,700	3.73 4.10
2500 4x4	Extended Cab	6 1/2					8200 10,200	3.73 4.10

1 Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow.
2 Silverado 1500 models require Z85 Increased Capacity or ZX3 Manual Select Damping or Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package.
3 QUADRASTEER may reduce trailer weight ratings. See your Chevy dealer for additional details.
NOTE: Trailer kingpin weight should be 15 to 25 percent of total loaded trailer weight (up to 1,500 lbs. on 1500 Regular and Crew Cab models and up to 2,500 lbs. on 1500HD Crew Cab and 2500 models). • Addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame. • Fifth-wheel hitch is available as a dealer-installed accessory.

 

SILVERADO 2500HD AND 3500 BALL HITCH TRAILERING
Weight-carrying hitch limit: 7,500-lb. Trailer with 1,000-lb. tongue weight. Weight-distributing hitch and sway control required over 7,500-lb. trailer weight. The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the hitch ball, a hitch of the proper size, type and capacity, and other appropriate equipment required to safely tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed. Ask your Chevrolet dealer for advice about the proper trailering equipment for your new vehicle.
ENGINE TRANSMISSION			VORTEC 6000 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL		VORTEC 8100 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL		DURAMAX DIESEL 6600 V8 AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL
MODEL		BOX LENGTH (FT.)	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO
2500HD 2WD/4x4	Regular Cab	8	10,600/10,300	4.10	12,000	3.73(2), 4.10	12,000	3.73
	Extended Cab	6 1/2	10,300/10,100	4.10	12,000	3.73(2), 4.10	12,000	3.73
		8	10,200/9900	4.10	12,000	3.73(2), 4.10	12,000	3.73
	Crew Cab	6 1/2	10,100/9800	4.10	12,000	3.73(2), 4.10	12,000	3.73
		8	9900/9600	4.10	12,000	3.73(2), 4.10	12,000	3.73
3500 2WD/4x4	Regular Cab 4x4	8	9900	4.10	12,000	4.10	12,000	3.73
	Extended Cab	8	9800/9500	4.10	12,000	4.10	12,000	3.73
	Crew Cab	8	9500/9200	4.10	12,000	4.10	12,000	3.73

1 Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevy dealer for additional details.
2 Requires automatic transmission.
NOTE: Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight (up to 1,500 lbs.). • Addition of trailer tongue weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame. • Z82 Heavy-Duty Trailering Equipment Package includes trailer hitch platform and trailer electrical connector.

 

SILVERADO 2500HD AND 3500 FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILERING
The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the appropriate equipment required to safely fifth-wheel tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed. Ask your Chevrolet dealer for advice about the proper trailering equipment for your new vehicle.
ENGINE TRANSMISSION			VORTEC 6000 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL		VORTEC 8100 V8 SFI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL		DURAMAX DIESEL 6600 V8 AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL
MODEL		BOX LENGTH (FT.)	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO	MAX. TRAILER WEIGHT (LBS.)(1)	REQUIRED AXLE RATIO
2500HD 2WD/4x4	Regular Cab	8	10,600/10,300	4.10	14,100/13,800 16,100/15,800	3.73(2) 4.10	16,000/15,700	3.73
	Extended Cab	6 1/2	10,300/10,100	4.10	13,800/13,600 15,800/15,600	3.73(2) 4.10	15,700/15,400	3.73
		8	10,200/9900	4.10	13,700/13,400 15,700/15,400	3.73(2) 4.10	15,500/15,300	3.73
	Crew Cab	6 1/2	10,100/9800	4.10	13,600/13,300 15,600/15,300	3.73(2) 4.10	15,400/14,700	3.73
		8	9900/9600	4.10	13,500/13,200 15,500/14,700	3.73(2) 4.10	15,200/13,700	3.73
3500 2WD/4x4	Regular Cab 4x4	8	9900	4.10	15,500	4.10	15,400	3.73
	Extended Cab	8	9800/9500	4.10	15,400/15,100	4.10	15,200/14,900	3.73
	Crew Cab	8	9500/9200	4.10	15,100/14,800	4.10	15,000/14,700	3.73

1 Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevy dealer for additional details.
2 Requires automatic transmission.
NOTE: Trailer tongue weight should be 15 to 25 percent of total loaded trailer weight (up to 3,000 lbs.on 2500HD models and up to 3,500 lbs. on 3500 models). • Addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame. • Fifth-wheel hitch is available as a dealer-installed accessory on select models.

 
TRAILERING BASICS

NOTE: Towing a trailer involves all major vehicle systems of your Chevy Truck, including powertrain, steering, suspension, tire and brake systems. Easy and safe trailering requires a properly equipped vehicle, additional trailering equipment and an appropriate trailer. It also requires loading both the vehicle and trailer properly, using safe driving techniques, meeting regional legal requirements and following break-in and maintenance schedules. For more information, consult your Owner's Manual, speak to a trailering expert at your Chevrolet dealership or visit our web site at chevy.com. These charts will assist in determining how to best equip your Chevy Truck for trailering. To help you understand the charts, consider these trailering factors:

Torgue: Indicates the strength of the engine. Low-end torque reflects how much force is generated to get your vehicle moving.

Horsepower: Indicates how much work the engine does at a certain engine speed. At mid- to high-engine rpm, it's what keeps you moving at highway speeds.

Axle Ratio: Along with your vehicle's transmission gears, a higher rear axle ratio contributes to how much available torque and horsepower (mechanical leverage) can be applied to the drive wheels for launch and uphill performance. Higher rear axle ratios, however, sacrifice fuel economy when not trailering.

BALL HITCH TRAILERING: There are two types of ball hitches. A weight-carrying hitch consists of a ball and coupler with no means to distribute the hitch weight. It is used primarily for lightweight trailers. Heavier trailers, however, require a weight-distributing hitch, which uses spring bars to transfer some of the hitch weight forward onto the tow vehicle's front axle and rearward onto the trailer¹s axle(s).

FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILERING: Often used with the heaviest trailers, fifth-wheel (or gooseneck) hitches are mounted on a pickup's bed with the trailer's kingpin weight located over or slightly in front of the tow vehicle¹s rear axle.

RGAWR and GVWR: Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame.

GCWR: The Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer. A properly equipped tow vehicle and trailer at the maximum GCWR should be able to accelerate and merge with traffic, climb typical interstate grades at highway speeds, handle the combination on virtually all road surfaces and stop adequately within a reasonable distance.

Maximum Trailer Rating: This rating is determined by subtracting the tow vehicle's weight (curb weight) from the GCWR. When a Base vehicle (curb) weight is used, additional passenger, equipment and cargo weight reduces this rating.

TRAILERING CAUTIONS.

NOTE: Please read this Trailering Caution safety information before trailering with your new truck.

NOTE: The safety steps described here are by no means the only precautions to be taken when trailering. See the Owner's Manual for your Chevy Silverado for additional guidelines and trailering tips.

Trailering Caution. If you don't use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can lose control of your vehicle when you pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, your vehicle brakes may be less effective. You and your passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a trailer only after you have taken the following steps.

Trailer Brakes. If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs. loaded, then it must have its own adequate brakes. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brake controller so that it is installed, adjusted and maintained properly. • Don't tap into your vehicle's brake system if the trailer's brake system will use more than 0.02 cu. in. of fluid from your vehicle's master cylinder. If it does, neither braking system will work well. You could even lose your vehicle brakes. • The trailer brake parts must be able to take 3,000 psi of pressure. If not, the trailer brake system must not be used with your vehicle. If everything checks out thus far, have a qualified individual make the brake fluid tap at the master cylinder port that sends fluid to the rear brakes. Don't use copper tubing because it will bend and ultimately break. Use only double-walled steel brake tubing. • If you'll be towing a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh more than 5,000 lbs.,* be sure to use a frame-mounted, weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This equipment is very important for proper vehicle loading and good handling when you're driving.

Hitches. It's important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are just a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow:

FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILERING: Silverado Pickup models can be equipped with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch.
• Follow the hitch manufacturer's directions for installation, but note that the hitch must be attached to the truck frame. Do not use the pickup bed for additional support. For proper kingpin tongue load distribution and control of the trailer, the hitch must be mounted so the kingpin load is placed ahead of the rear axle centerline.
• Fifth-wheel trailer kingpin loads are higher than conventional trailer tongue loads, so pay careful attention to the truck's payload capacity and rear-axle weight ratings.
• Your Chevy Truck dealer can help you calculate the maximum allowable payload and GVWR required for your fifth-wheel trailering application. The weight of any additional equipment and all passengers other than the driver must be subtracted from the payload weight to determine the maximum kingpin load available.

*7,500 lbs. on 2500HD and 3500 models. Maximum trailer rating may be less based upon powertrain combinations.