Trailering Guide

BRAKES
To accommodate heavier loads, all Silverado models are
equipped with front and rear disc brakes that have new
Duralife™ rotors, which offer up to double the service life. You
can also order the available integrated trailer brake controller,
which allows your trailer’s brakes to operate simultaneously
with the vehicle’s brakes. This feature functions in coordination
with StabiliTrak
®
Electronic Stability Control System, the
antilock brake system and the electrical system.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
Integrated with StabiliTrak and the trailer brake controller
(if equipped), Trailer Sway Control senses trailer sway and
automatically applies the brakes – on the vehicle and trailer
– and helps reduce engine power if necessary to set the
situation straight again.
SUSPENSIONS
Front independent suspension with torsion bars on all heavy-
duty trucks is designed to allow high GVWR and outstanding
load-carrying capability.
FRAME CONSTRUCTION
The fully boxed frame provides a stronger foundation for
maximum hauling capability. The high-strength steel frame
also provides a sturdy base for noise and vibration isolation
and crashworthiness.
‘SMART’ EXHAUST BRAKE SYSTEM
Included with the available Duramax Turbo-Diesel 6.6L engine
on SilveradoHD models, this system uses the turbocharger to
create back pressure that helps slow the vehicle and reduce
brake use. Exhaust brakes help reduce brake fade and extend
brake life.
HILL START ASSIST
This available feature automatically activates to momentarily
hold the truck stationary on uphill grades of 5 percent or
steeper. That critical moment allows the driver to accelerate
before the vehicle rolls backwards. The available integrated
trailer brake controller will also assist in situations where
you’re in traffic and have to pull forward on a hill.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL
An available feature that uses the antilock brake system to
maintain a moderate vehicle speed when going downhill in
forward or reverse while hauling a load.
REAR-VISION CAMERA SYSTEM
This available feature has grid lines on the screen to make it
easier to line up the truck with your trailer when backing up
to connect it.
AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
This available GM-exclusive feature engages when the system
senses a wheel slip. The system channels drive power to the
rear wheel with the most grip to help you regain traction.
TRANSMISSION FEATURES
Auto grade braking automatically engages the
transmission’s grade braking shift pattern to maintain
desired speed. Also, Tow/Haul mode minimizes “searching”
for shift points to keep the transmission in the right gear
for the load you’re hauling.
AVAILABLE TRAILERING MIRRORS
New, heated, power-adjustable trailering mirrors with GM
segment-first back-up lamps are offered on 2015 Silverado LD
models and HD models built after Aug. 24, 2014. The auxiliary
back-up lamp is integrated in each mirror to enhance trailer
visibility when backing up, as well as an amber auxiliary
clearance lamp.
SILVERADO FEATURES
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The weight in pounds each axle is capable of supporting.
The load on each axle must not exceed its GAWR. Your
Chevy truck’s GAWR is posted on the driver’s door or
door-lock pillar panel.
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
The total allowable weight of the loaded vehicle and its trailer
combined. The GCWR includes the weight of the driver,
passengers, fuel, original equipment and gear you carry.
GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT
The weight of your loaded trailer.
TRAILER WEIGHT RATING
The trailer weight rating (in pounds) for any vehicle is
determined by subtracting vehicle weight from the GCWR.
At the trailer weight rating for a properly equipped vehicle,
you should be able to accelerate, merge with traffic, climb
a typical grade on a road or interstate at highway speed,
and assuming satisfactory road conditions, maintain
control on various road surfaces and stop the vehicle
within a reasonable distance.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
This rating is the maximum amount a tow vehicle can
weigh. Everything contributing to the tow vehicle’s
weight is factored into the GVWR, including the weight of
the truck, driver, passengers, fuel payload, tongue load
of the trailer, hitch weight and all optional equipment.
The GVWR is displayed on the driver’s door or door-lock
pillar label.
TRAILERING TERMS
CHEVROLET
TRAILERING
SELECTOR
1. What is your trailer’s weight?
2. In addition to the trailer, how much weight will you be carrying?
3. How much time will you spend towing?
4. Which conditions will you most likely encounter?
°
Steep grades °Extreme temperatures
°High altitude
5. Will you tow over short or long distances?
6. Will your towing or payload needs increase in the future?
7. What are your trailer’s height and width?
8. What type of hitch does your trailer require?
°
Weight-carrying °Weight-distributing
°
Fifth-wheel °Gooseneck
9. Is your trailer equipped with trailer brakes?
10. What type of electrical connection does your trailer need?
°
4-wire °6-wire °7-wire
°8-wire °Other
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SELECTING THE
CORRECT VEHICLE FOR YOUR TRAILERING NEEDS
Dinghy Towing – These Chevrolet vehicles can be towed behind another vehicle, such as a motor home, with all four wheels on the ground:
Equinox Traverse Tahoe Suburban Colorado Silverado 1500 SilveradoHD
2WD YES YES NO NO
-
NO NO
4WD
- -
YES YES YES YES YES
AWD YES YES
- - - - -
TRAILER WEIGHT RANGES
2,001 TO 3,500 LBS
SINGLE-AXLE TRAILERS UP TO 18',
OPEN UTILITY TRAILERS,
SMALL BOATS
<2,000 LBS
FOLDING CAMPING TRAILER,
SNOWMOBILES,
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
TRAILERS
3,501 TO 5,000 LBS
SINGLE-/DUAL-AXLE
TRAILERS, LARGE BOATS,
ENCLOSED UTILITY
TRAILERS
5,001 TO 10,000 LBS
TWO-HORSE, TRAVEL, FIFTH-WHEEL/
GOOSENECK RECREATIONAL TRAILERS
10,000 LBS +
LARGE HORSE, TRAVEL, FIFTH-WHEEL/GOOSENECK
RECREATIONAL, COMMERCIAL TRAILERS
2015 Silverado 1500 Engine Horsepower, Torque and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine EcoTec3 - 4.3L V-6 (LV3) EcoTec3 - 5.3L V-8 (L83) EcoTec3 - 6.2L V-8 (L86)
Horsepower 285 @ 5,300 355 @ 5,600 420 @ 5,600
Torque (lb.-ft.) 305 @ 3,900 383 @ 4,100 460 @ 4,100
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel
Regular Cab 2WD 3.23 6,100 - 3.42 9,800 - 3.42 - -
Double Cab 2WD 3.23 5,600 - 3.73 11,200 - 3.42 12,000 -
Crew Cab 2WD 3.23 5,600 - 3.73 11,100 - 3.42 12,000 -
Regular Cab 4WD 3.42 7,600 - 3.42 9,500 - 3.42 - -
Double Cab 4WD 3.42 7,200 - 3.73 11,000 - 3.42 11,900 -
Crew Cab 4WD 3.42 7,100 - 3.73 10,900 - 3.42 11,800 -
2015 Silverado 3500HD Single Rear Wheel (SRW) Engine Horsepower, Torque and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine VORTEC 6.0L V-8 (L96) DURAMAX 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel (LML)
Horsepower 360 @ 5,400 (Pickups) / 322 @ 4,400 (Chassis Cabs) 397 @ 3,000 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs)
Torque (lb.-ft.) 380 @ 4,200 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs) 765 @ 1,600 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs)
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel
Regular Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,600 - - -
Double Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,200 3.73 13,000 17,500
Crew Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,100 3.73 13,000 17,400
Regular Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 14,300 3.73 13,000 17,500
Double Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 13,900 3.73 13,000 17,200
Crew Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 13,900 3.73 13,000 17,100
2015 Express Cargo Engine Horsepower, Torque and
Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine
Vortec 4.8L V8 SFI
(L20)
Vortec 6.0L V8
SFI (L96)
Duramax 6.6L V8
Turbo-Diesel (LGH)
6.0L V8 SFI
Gaseous (LC8)
Horsepower 285 @ 5,400 342 @ 5,400 260 @ 3,100 282 @ 4,700
Torque (lb.-ft.) 295 @ 4,600 373 @ 4,400 525 @ 1,600 320 @ 4,400
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
2500 RWD 3.42 7,400 3.42 10,000 3.54 10,000 3.42 9,900
2500 RWD -
LWB
3.42 7,200 3.42 10,000 3.54 10,000 3.42 9,700
3500 RWD 3.42 7,400 3.42 10,000 3.54 10,000 3.42 9,800
3500 RWD -
LWB
3.42 7,100 3.42 10,000 3.54 10,000 3.42 9,600
2015 Express Passenger Engine Horsepower, Torque and
Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine Vortec 4.8 L20 Vortec 6.0 L96 Vortec 6.0 LC8
Duramax 6.6
LGH
Horsepower 285 @ 5,400 342 @ 5,400 282 @ 4,800 260 @ 2,800
Torque (lb.-ft.) 295 @ 4,600 373 @ 4,400 320 @ 4,400 525 @ 1,600
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
2500 RWD 3.42 6,700 3.42 9,800 3.42 9,500 N/A N/A
3500 RWD 3.42 6,700 3.42 9,700 3.42 9,400 3.54 10,000
3500 LWD 3.42 6,400 3.42 9,300 3.42 9,000 3.54 9,700
2015 Silverado 2500HD Engine Horsepower, Torque and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine VORTEC 6.0L V-8 (L96) 6.0L V-8 Gaseous (LC8) DURAMAX 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel (LML)
Horsepower 360 @ 5,400 360 @ 5,400 (Gas) / 301 @ 5,000 (CNG) 397 @ 3,000
Torque (lb.-ft.) 380 @ 4,200 380 @ 4,200 (Gas) / 333 @ 4,200 (CNG) 765 @ 1,600
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel
Regular Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,800 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 13,000 17,900
Double Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,500 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 13,000 17,600
Crew Cab 2WD 4.10 13,000 14,300 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 13,000 17,400
Regular Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 14,500 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 13,000 17,600
Double Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 14,200 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 13,000 17,300
Crew Cab 4WD 4.10 13,000 14,000 4.10 13,000 - 3.73 14,500 17,100
2015 Silverado 3500HD Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) Engine Horsepower, Torque and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine VORTEC 6.0L V-8 (L96) DURAMAX 6.6L V-8 Turbo-Diesel (LML)
Horsepower 360 @ 5,400 (Pickups) / 322 @ 4,400 (Chassis Cabs) 397 @ 3,000 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs)
Torque (lb.-ft.) 380 @ 4,200 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs) 765 @ 1,600 (Pickups & Chassis Cabs)
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Conventional 5th-Wheel Conventional 5th-Wheel
Regular Cab 2WD 4.10 14,200 14,200 - - -
Double Cab 2WD 4.10 13,800 13,800 3.73 16,500 23,000
Crew Cab 2WD 4.10 13,700 13,700 3.73 16,500 22,900
Regular Cab 4WD 4.10 13,900 13,900 3.73 16,000 23,200
Double Cab 4WD 4.10 13,500 13,500 3.73 18,000 22,800
Crew Cab 4WD 4.10 13,300 13,300 3.73 19,600 22,600
2015 Equinox Engine Horsepower, Torque
and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
2015 Traverse Engine Horsepower, Torque
and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine
2.4L 4-cyl DOHC SIDI
with VVT (LEA)
3.6L V-6 SIDI with
VVT (LFX)
Engine 3.6L V-6 SIDI (LLT)
Horsepower 182 @ 6,700 301 @ 6,500 Horsepower 281 @ 6,300
Torque (lb.-ft.) 172 @ 4,900 272 @ 4,800 Torque (lb.-ft.) 266 @ 3,400
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Equinox FWD 3.23 1,500 2.77 3,500 Traverse FWD
3.16 5,200
Equinox AWD 3.53 1,500 2.77 3,500 Traverse AWD 3.16 5,200
2015 Colorado Engine Horsepower, Torque
and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine 2.5L I-4 3.6L V-6
Horsepower 200 @ 6,300 305 @ 6,800
Torque (lb.-ft.) 191 @ 4,400 269 @ 4,000
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
AXLE
RATIO
RATINGS
(lbs)
Colorado 4WD - - 3.42 7,000
2015 Tahoe Engine Horsepower, Torque
and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
2015 Suburban Engine Horsepower, Torque
and Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine
EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 (L83) with NHT
Max Trailering Package
EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 (L83) without
NHT Max Trailering Package
Engine
EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 (L83) with NHT
Max Trailering Package
EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 (L83) without NHT
Max Trailering Package
Horsepower 355 @ 5,600 355 @ 5,600 Horsepower 355 @ 5,600 355 @ 5,600
Torque (lb.-ft.) 383 @ 4,100 383 @ 4,100 Torque (lb.-ft.) 383 @ 4,100 383 @ 4,100
AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs) AXLE RATIO RATINGS (lbs)
Tahoe 2WD 3.42 8,600 3.08 6,600 Suburban 2WD 3.42 8,300 3.08 6,300
Tahoe 4WD 3.42 8,400 3.08 6,400 Suburban 4WD 3.42 8,000 3.08 6,000
With production beginning
on or after October 6, 2014
With production beginning
on or after October 6, 2014
TOWING
Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering
section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or
accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.
PAYLOAD
Maximum payload ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it
to haul people or cargo, carefully review the vehicle loading section of the Owner’s Manual and check the
carrying capacity of your specific vehicle on the label on the inside of the driver’s door jamb.
For more trailering information, try these additional resources: 1) Download the Chevrolet Trailering App from your Apple iPad’s App Store
2) Download the Trailering Guide from Chevy.com
3) See your dealer for details