With four engine options and three different transmissions, there are a variety of configurations for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, all of which greatly affect towing capacities, which range from the lowest of 6,700 pounds to the maximum 12,200 pounds. Here’s a quick guide to the max configurations for towing based on engine and cab configurations.
2019 Silverado 1500 Maximum Tow Capacity
The Silverado 1500’s maximum 12,200-pound configuration is a double-cab Silverado LTZ trim with four-wheel drive, the standard 6.5-foot box and the 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8. The 6.2-liter V-8 is required for the maximum tow rating, and for 2019 is only available in the LTZ trim and higher with four-wheel drive; for 2020, the 6.2-liter will be available in more trims when it goes on sale later this year. The Max Trailering Package is required for the highest ratings that adds the G80 automatic locking rear differential, enhanced cooling, heavy-duty springs, a larger rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, a trailer brake controller and a few other items. This brings the total price to more than $50,000, which is $10,000 more than the Ford F-150 in its max tow configuration and $15,000 more than the Ram 1500 in its max tow configuration. However, compared with the Ford F-150 XL and Ram 1500 Tradesman, the Chevy is equipped with much nicer interior bits in the LTZ trim.
Max Towing Capacity by Engine
To get the highest tow ratings for any given engine, you must select the 3.42 axle ratio with the Trailering or Max Trailering packages. Chevy calls the 8-foot bed the long box, the 6.5-foot bed the standard box and the 5.5-foot bed the short box. Here are the top three towing capacities for each engine.
Turbocharged 2.7-Liter Four-Cylinder (310 hp, 348 pounds-feet of torque)
The 2.7-liter’s sole transmission is the eight-speed automatic. There are three tow ratings for this engine: 6,700 pounds, 6,900 pounds and 7,000 pounds. The 6,700-pound rating comes with the 4WD double-cab standard box and 4WD crew-cab short box configurations; this is also the lowest tow rating of any Silverado. For the 6,900-pound trailer rating, the 2WD crew-cab short box or the 2WD crew-cab standard box can be selected. To get the 2.7-liter’s maximum 7,000-pound rating, pick a 2WD double cab with the standard box.
4.3-Liter V-6 (285 hp, 305 pounds-feet of torque)
The 4.3-liter V-6 is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission and provides towing capacities up to 7,900 pounds in 2WD regular-cab long-box configuration. At 7,700 pounds is the 2WD double-cab standard box and 2WD crew-cab short box, while the third highest rating of 7,600 is available in the 2WD crew-cab standard box.
5.3-Liter V-8 (355 hp, 383 pounds-feet of torque)
The 5.3-liter V-8 can be equipped with either the six-speed or eight-speed autos, but the maximum towing configurations are all with the eight-speed auto and Max Trailering Package. Taking the bronze medal for this engine are the 4WD double-cab standard box and 4WD crew-cab short box at 11,400 pounds. The silver goes to the 2WD crew-cab standard box at 11,500 pounds. Finally, the gold goes to the 2WD double-cab standard box and 2WD crew-cab short box at 11,600 pounds.
6.2-Liter V-8 (420 hp, 460 pounds-feet of torque)
Stepping up to the powerful 6.2-liter V-8 adds the 10-speed auto, and when the Max Trailering Package is chosen, the maximum tow ratings rise into the 12,000-pound range. The third highest rating is exactly 12,000 pounds with the 4WD crew-cab standard box. Next up the ladder is the 4WD crew-cab short box at 12,100 pounds. Taking the top spot is the 4WD double-cab standard box with a 12,200-pound rating.
Max Towing Capacities by Cab
Chevy offers three cab configurations: regular, double and crew. The regular cab is limited to the six-speed auto paired with the 4.3-liter V-6 or 5.3-liter V-8.
Regular Cab
The regular cab’s highest tow rating is 10,100 pounds with the 5.3-liter V-8 and the 2WD long box.
Double Cab
For the double cab, the highest rating comes from the 6.2-liter, V-8-equipped, 4WD standard-box configuration weighing in at 12,200 pounds.
Crew Cab
For the crew cab, a 12,100-pound rating can be achieved with the 4WD, 6.2-liter V-8 short box.
Trail Boss Towing Capacity
The Silverado 1500 Trail Boss can be equipped with the 4.3-liter V-6 or 5.3-liter V-8 with the six-speed automatic transmission or the 5.3-liter V-8 with the eight-speed automatic; for 2020, the 6.2-liter and 10-speed will be available. With the 2019’s 5.3-liter and six- or eight-speed auto, the tow ratings are 9,500 pounds in both the double-cab standard box and crew-cab short box or 9,400 pounds with the crew-cab standard box. For the 4.3-liter engine, the numbers are 7,400 pounds for the double-cab standard box and 7,300 pounds for the crew-cab short and standard boxes.
Related: A Four-Cylinder Pickup? Chevrolet Takes a Gamble With 2019 Silverado 1500
Overall, the 6.2-liter V-8 provides the highest tow ratings in the 2019 Silverado 1500, but the cost also jumps significantly since that engine can’t be equipped in the less expensive trim levels. That can be an issue for those who want a strong tow vehicle but don’t need or want to pay for all the extra goodies that come with higher trim levels. This will change for the 2020 Silverado when the 6.2-liter will be available on more trims for as low as $44,000. For 2019, the 5.3-liter V-8, however, provides up to 11,600 pounds of towing and can be had in the lower trim levels. You can check out Chevrolet’s complete towing guide for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado to see more configurations.
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