Towing Capacity of 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 with 5.3-liter V8 Engine

Updated 02/02/2017 | Published 02/01/2017

Question:

Hi- We are looking at some many numbers we cant make heads nor tails of what size travel trailer is safe for us to tow without putting too much wear and tear on our truck. We have a 2015 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab, 5.3 liter V8 engine. It has 4 wheel drive and 3.42 gears. We are trying to determine the largest size we can pull while taking into account a max cargo weight, as well. Many thanks in advance.

asked by: Denise

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best place to confirm the towing capacity of your 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 with 5.3-liter V8 engine is the printed owner's manual. This will reflect the capacity of your specific pickup with the particular mix of equipment installed on it at the factory, including the 3.42 differential.

I reviewed the online trailering guide on the Chevrolet website and at most a properly-equipped 1500 can tow 12,000-lbs. But your 5.3L V8 crew cab 4x4 with 3.42 differential is shown as having a maximum trailer weight rating of 9100-lbs if it is a long bed, or 9200-lbs if it is a short bed.

You can relieve some of the extra stress from towing a trailer by adding supplementary transmission, engine oil and/or power steering coolers to your Silverado. Most important is a transmission cooler, which will release the extra heat caused in the transmission by the towed trailer. You can install Derale cooler # D12904 right in front of the AC condenser.

expert reply by: Adam R