One of the main benefits of owning a pickup truck is that it allows you to tow far more weight than other types of vehicles, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has some of the best towing capacity in the game. It also has a ton of available towing tech that makes pulling campers, boats, and other things easier than ever.
Read on to discover why the Silverado is the best choice for shoppers looking for the perfect machine for work and play in Savanna, IL.
2026 Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity at a Glance
The Silverado 1500’s max trailering numbers will depend largely on which powertrain it’s equipped with. There are four available engines, as well as a choice between rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Here are the maximum trailering specs for each available engine and drivetrain combo:
- TurboMax™ 2.7-liter: 9,500 lbs. (RWD), 9,300 lbs. (4WD)
- EcoTec3 5.3-liter V8: 11,300 lbs. (RWD), 11,100 lbs. (4WD)
- EcoTec3 6.2-liter V8: 13,200 lbs. (4WD only)
- Duramax™ 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel: 13,300 lbs. (2WD), 13,000 lbs. (4WD)
The max towing capacity for the 2026 Silverado 1500 is 13,300 pounds, and requires the powerful Duramax™ Turbo Diesel engine, which cranks out an impressive 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. When properly equipped, the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine can also tow over 13,000 pounds, making the Silverado one of the only full-size pickup trucks with two separate engines that can achieve these numbers.
Shoppers may notice that, generally speaking, trucks with rear-wheel drive have a slightly higher average towing capacity than those with 4WD. To put it simply, this is because 4WD trucks tend to have a higher curb weight (in layman’s terms, that means they’re heavier).
There are a few other important factors that also affect towing capacity, including the cab size, bed length, and axle ratio. If all of this sounds overwhelming, fret not—just contact our Chevy dealership in Savanna, IL, and our towing experts will steer you in the right direction.
How to Determine Chevy Silverado Towing Capacity
It’s important to note that the figures we mentioned above are max trailering ratings, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll always be able to safely tow quite that much. There are a few ways to calculate your Silverado’s exact towing capacity.
The first method is to check either the owner’s manual or the trailering info sticker, which you can find on the doorjamb on the driver’s side. You’ll find a few different terms on here, including GVWR, GCWR, and curb weight. With this info, you can work out the max towing capacity like this:
- Take the truck’s listed curb weight
- Add the weight of any passengers and cargo, as well as the weight of the fuel in the tank
- Subtract that number from the truck’s GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
- This number will be the truck’s true max trailering capacity
Of course, some folks don’t feel like doing a bunch of math every time they want to haul their camper. That’s why Chevy includes a Load Calculator in the myChevrolet app, which can be accessed from your mobile device.
Available Towing Technology for the Silverado 1500
In addition to the myChevrolet Load Calculator, Chevy offers a ton of additional trailering tech to help you tow safely and efficiently. Here are a few key features.
In-Vehicle Trailering App
When equipped with the Advanced Trailering Package, the Silverado comes with the in-vehicle trailering app, which provides tons of available towing-specific information, like:
- Up to 5 customizable trailer profiles
- Tow/Haul Mode Reminder
- Pre-Departure Checklist
- Trailer Maintenance Reminders
- Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring
- Trailer Light Test
- Trailer Theft Detection
- And more
Using this intuitive app, you can tow with the utmost confidence and ensure that every trip goes smoothly.
Trailering Camera Technologies
In addition to the available trailering app, the Silverado can be kitted out with up to eight external cameras, including:
- 1 Front Grille Camera
- 2 Side Mirror Cameras
- 1 Bew View Camera
- 1 Rear Camera Mirror
- 1 Rear View Camera
- 2 Accessory Cameras (for trailer use)
Utilizing these cameras and their associated tech features, the Silverado 1500 is capable of providing up to 14 camera views:
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Front Camera View
- Rear Camera View
- HD Surround View
- Front Top-Down View
- Rear Top-Down View
- Front Side View
- Rear Side View
- Pic-in-Pic Side View
- Hitch View
- Bed View
- Rear Trailer View
- Inside Trailer View
- Transparent Trailer View
Find the Chevy Silverado for Sale in Savanna, IL
At Ed Morse Chevrolet Savanna, we have an excellent selection of new Chevy Silverado 1500 models for sale, and with our Backed by Morse price protection, you can shop knowing you’re getting one of the best prices around. You can also check out our new vehicle specials for even more ways to save.
Contact us online or call us at 866-426-8396 to schedule a test drive today.
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