When it comes to the pickup truck segment, specs like towing capacity are often used as bragging rights among owners. As they say, more is better, but the question is this – is more even really necessary? Well, according to Chevy, not always, as the vast majority of light-duty pickup truck owners tow less than 10,000 pounds.
Chevy’s statement was made via press release with the announcement of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the reveal of the Bow Tie brand’s new Multi-Flex tailgate, a feature that mirrors the GMC Sierra’s MultiPro tailgate in offering a variety of positions and functions. The announcement also included details on the 2021 Silverado’s new engine options and tow ratings, with the latest turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B adding thousands of pounds of trailering capacity, including an extra 2,500 pounds to the max capacity for Regular Cab Long Box models, up to 9,600 pounds. The announcement also noted that the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax adds 1,900 pounds in nearly every configuration, up to 9,500 pounds for 2WD models.
“Chevrolet is confident these engines meet or exceed most trailering needs, as 96 percent of light-duty pickup owners tow less than 10,000 pounds, according to data from MaritzCX an InMoment Company,” the automaker states.
In an email to GM Authority, General Motors specified that “The claim is based on the last four quarters of available data from Martiz’ New Vehicle Customer Study. Maritz surveyed light-duty pickup owners three months after purchase and 96 percent responded they tow less than 10,000 pounds with their vehicle.”
Obviously, General Motors’ goal here is defend itself from the fact that some of its competitor’s diesel engines can tow more. For reference, we’ve listed the towing capacity for some of these competitors in below:
Which begs the question – are tow ratings under 10,000 pounds the right move for the Chevy Silverado 1500? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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It's all a numbers game. Anyone towing within the 75th percentile of what their truck is rated should be upsizing to an HD. But buying a truck that is rated to tow 10,000 or 12,000lbs exudes confidence for the person who only needs to tow a 3,000lb boat, and some people just like bragging rights even if they NEVER hitch up.
What sounds like a better tow vehicle, one rated at 12,000lbs towing a 3,000lbs boat, or a truck rated at 7,500lbs towing a 3,000lb boat. "If it can tow XYZ then it can easily tow mine!".
Most people buying these over spec'd half tons aren't set up to tow that much: GVWR, sway control, trailer brakes, WDH, And then the fact that a 4,500-5,100lb truck is pulling over 10,000lbs with a potential moron behind the wheel... experience!
You nailed by what you said!!! What I think is funny are those people who buy a pickup and don't know how to either use or drive one. I've seen so many pickups, doesn't matter what brand, going down the road with receiver hitch add ons to carry bicycles or luggage. Heaven forbid to use the box.
Don't forget those that buy a trailer to tow their dirt bikes because they can't roll the bed cover up...
I can agree with the data and believe that 10,000 is enough. But GM isn’t even hitting that number. I’m stretching my Tahoe to the limit with my 6500 lbs camper plus family and gear added. I’m def pushing over 8000 lbs in a 2016 Tahoe. As much as I don’t want to but in a year or two, I’m going to probably need an Expedition MAX for the room and towing capacity as my family grows and require my camper size to grow. Which means I’m outside of the majority that GM’s penny pinching leadership cares about.
It will be a sad day and will require a lot of explaining, to everyone that knows how big of a GM guy I am, after I bring home a Ford. :(
I’m not holding my breathe on the diesel suburban changing my mind although I’d love to have it... Oh well, I’m only one sale and I’m not going electric anytime soon so GM doesn’t care about me anyway.
even that 96% may have to bring home 12000lbs of brick for that one home project once in the time that they own a vehicle. At that time its nice having a truck that can perform even for the rare moment that its demanded. I love what they are doing with the new HD's where there each engine is optioned with just one transmission and one rear differential. The standard gas get 17000lbs towing while fords "godzilla" only gets 15000 and requires a lower rear differential upgrade to tow more. do that for the 1500's standard 3.23 gears with the 10 speed rated to tow at least 11000 lbs and optimized for fuel economy.
NOW ALL THAT SAID; All silveradoes share the same T1chassis, so all frames are rated to 13600 lbs, its just the powertrain that needs updating. Just eliminate the 3.08 rear diff and make an external oil cooler standard. Also SAE 2807 towing standard require safe and effective towing without overheating max load up the davis dam, so i imagine that i could effectivity tow 13000 lbs with the 2.7 and never overwork it in the flatter->slightly hilly Midwest on a mild afternoon
THANK HEAVENS for the SAE J2807 standards as our actually towing capability is way more that older vehicles regardless of "actual capacity"
The truth is most half ton truck owners never pull a trailer and if they do it is a light trailer.
Most people towing real weight go to a 3/4 ton or half ton and most of them are seldom at the limits.
Don't believe it just look at the half tons out there pulling. At most the biggest loads are a car or a pallet of shingle.
But the harsh reality is most half ton trucks today are being used as cars. Most seldom haul even much of a load in the bed let alone a trailer.
i tow small trailers with under 5000# total weight and would rather have a better ride empty.
I tow a 6500lb boat with a 2017 6.2 Z71 approximately 20 times per summer. Each trip is about 200 miles one-way. With a max tow rating on my truck @ 9200lbs, I can say that having the "cushion" of more towing capacity would inspire more confidence when I tow. The biggest issue I experience is some "Elvis Pelvis", as Mr. Truck would say, during cornering, especially, when braking to make a 90 degree turn. The trailer has electrically controlled hydraulic discs, but the issue, in my opinion, is the rear springs on the truck.
Six months out of the year (Midwest), I don't tow much, so a 3/4 ton is really unnecessary. The Max Tow Package on a 1/2 ton is just what the doctor ordered and that's how my 2020 is equipped. Taking delivery this week.
I sold GM trucks for many years and always recommended HD when getting close to the maximum towing capacity of the 1500. Customers were happy that they made the choice. Also suggested they select their trailer, fifth wheel first and then buy the truck to fit. Nothing like going down the road with confidence and safety.
Too many people using the wrong vehicle to pull things. Then you wonder why there are so many people in accidents pulling trailers that are hauling stuff too heavy. I've seen alot of trailer swerve marks on the highway where I live lately. A lot of people think because it's got a hitch you can pull anything with it.
One does not take a small claw hammer to break up concrete. The same applies to trucks you need to size the tool or truck to the task at hand.
The people that do choose the wrong tools for the task generally break them and wonder why.
C8.R is right.
Most 1/2 tons aren't used at all as trucks.
They're just status symbols for people that are compensating.
Many are used as alternatives to small cars that most people are not crazy about.
My father had a number of Chevelles. A mid sized car but it was his family car and truck. It hauled 6 people had a trunk that could haul a bike, Also the roof had enough steel to haul plywood with a blanket, rob and not do any damage. My Malibu will haul very little today and one sheet of plywood on the roof would cave it in.
Also if you want affordable RWD what else are you going to buy.
Much like many SUV models. Trucks have more in common with past sedans than any cars built today.
Remember the 1500HD? It had a purpose. So did the light duty 2500. It's time to bring back the 2500 light duty. New engine technology can easily make a light duty 3/4 ton to tow 15K to 20K pounds have a better ride than a full on heavy duty cost less and get better mileage. Ford and Ram don't offer anything like that. If GM did they could take the Crown for selling the most trucks.
Even the vast majority of commercial landscape trucks I see are single rear wheel towing way less than their maximum. And when they need to move heavier loads they usually move up to medium duty trucks anyway.
Even Gale Banks took a 3 l V6 turbodiesel and stuck in in early 2000 model year dually truck and did not lower its capability to do work. It got better mileage and had higher payload due to the lighter engine.
A 4.5 -5 liter turbocharged and supercharged 4 cylinder Turbodiesel mated to a 10 speed automatic would be perfect. Better throttle response better fuel economy and all the power needed to move 15 to 20K. Add in rear air suspension like a Ram and you'll never know you're driving a 3/4 ton truck pulling 15000 pounds.
I currently own a 2004 crew cab 3500 SRW with a 6.6liter Duramax. A new light duty 2500/3500 could exceed the towing capacity and payload of my truck, let's have it. Friend of mine got a doolie about the same time I did and he got it so it would have better stability while towing and he doesn't tow any more than I do. A doolie version with a smaller engine would be fantastic as well.
Sometimes the right tool for the job just hasn't been made yet, but it could be here's to wishful thinking.