General Motors has unveiled the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, both of which introduce a long list of changes and updates for the pickup nameplates. Interestingly, tow ratings for both models is lower when using a fifth-wheel (or gooseneck) hitch, as compared to a standard ball hitch, and now, GM Authority is explaining the reason why.
Before we launch into an explanation why, let’s start by going over what we’re talking about.
Back in January, GM Authority published an in-depth look at the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 tow ratings and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 tow ratings, providing a breakdown of the different model configurations and their respective max trailer weights. Critically, the tow ratings for both models are highest when using a standard ball hitch, with tow ratings decreasing when using a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. For example, the highest tow rating for the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado with a ball hitch is 13,300 pounds, while the highest tow rating for the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado with a fifth-wheel gooseneck hitch is 9,900 pounds.
This may come as a surprise to some, especially when considering that GM’s heavy-duty trucks, the Silverado HD and Sierra HD, both offer higher tow ratings with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch as compared to a standard ball hitch. Check out GM Authority’s in-depth look at the 2022 Chevy Silverado HD tow ratings and 2022 GMC Sierra HD tow ratings for reference.
To understand the difference, GM Authority reached out to General Motors and its engineering team.
As explained by GM, a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch places more weight onto the vehicle as compared to a ball hitch (15 percent typically, versus 10 percent). As such, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) become the limiting factor for towing in the light-duty trucks. By contrast, the HD trucks have much higher GVWR and GAWR’s, which means other factors become the limiters with regard to weight when towing.
With that mind, Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra customers who plan to tow a trailer with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch are advised to compare the numbers when considering the purchase of either an LD or HD pickup.
As a reminder, the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 are offered with four engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine (now rated at 430 pound-feet of torque), the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax. Under the body panels is GM T1 platform. Production takes place at the GM Silao Plant in Mexico and the GM Fort Wayne Assembly facility in Indiana, while the Silverado will also be produced at the GM Oshawa Plant in Canada in the near future.
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Comments
I have been scouring the Internet looking for payload numbers for upcoming Denali Ultimate with a Duramax 3.0. I can see the base numbers for various configurations but nothing related to payload for this model.
I’m guessing that as the model essentially comes fully equipped with the only real option being the engine, it must be something that is known…
Anyone seen a number?
Thanks for this clarification. This has always boggled my mind.
What is the earliest date for the release of the EV Silverado and GMC pickup truck
On a related topic, be very careful when selecting a tow vehicle based on GM’s published tow ratings. They generally do not provide the tongue weight ratings in the literature and I found out after ordering and taking delivery of my new 2021 Tahoe that the tongue weight rating at just 800-850 pounds is the THE most limiting capability. In seeking info from Chevrolet about the limits with a weight distribution hitch, their Customer Service reps would not distinguish vs a weight carrying hitch and restated the hitch limit at 850 pounds. This is despite a vague reference in my owners manual and in Chevy’s 2021 Trailering Guide to a tongue weight limit of 1,250 pounds.
the trucks are under powered , Ram and Ford have jumped way ahead and GM is still bean counting to learn there way thru the world of what truck buyers want. we want communication, good looking trucks that dont look wore out in a year from all the cheap plastic on the exterior, and the ugly black blown plastic interior , with cheap thin seats, and stupid door mount mirrors, cheap good year tires , stupid bumber steps, cheap black bed steps , unfinished wheel lip moldings, cheap crap GM
Both ram and Ford’s get their power on premium fuel. A hemi has only 10 more HP (per test dynos) and the only past 5000 rpm. Under 5000 rpm the 5.3 which is tuned for 87 octane is superior. Even more so with the Ford 5.0. Most towing sites at 2500-4500 rpm. It’s not as dramatic with the ecoboosts, but they also only make peak power on 93 octane. 5.3 is a really potent engine still, and the 6.2 is even more potent, albeit it’s also a premium fuel engine and drops down to 400hp on 87 or worse, has knock issues
Hemi has only 10 more hp on 87 that is
Can’t speak for the Hemi as I have not driven one. The 5.0 / 3.55 in my 2020 f150 would mop the floor with my 2018 Silverado with the 5.3 /3.42. I have only used 89 in my stock f150. Silverado had a 89/ e85 tune from Blackbear.
Down vote it all you want, the 5.3 is not strong. It’s perfectly adequate after a tune, but not once did I get the feeling of dang, for a truck this thing moves. I’ve heard the gains are quite large with the 3rd gen 5.0 after a tune but it doesn’t need it like the 5.3 did so I’ll wait.
The only factor I see that GM is screwing up on is the lack of gearing choices. A 3.42 rear end has never been a first choice for towing. Ram trucks with the 3.92 gear are rated substantially higher than the 3.21 equipped trucks. GM needs to offer a better Max towing package ratio like a 4.10.
I’ve owned 1500s, 2500s & I now have a 3500. IMO (other may disagree), but you shouldn’t be towing a 5th wheel/gooseneck with a 1500. The 2500s and 3500s are obviously beefier – that’s why they’re called “HD” – and I know from experience even towing a travel trailer near but below max rating that you’ll prematurely wear-out a 1500.
your right , these 1500 series trucks are big cars with a grocery getter bed on the back of them to go pick up a sheet of plywood and a 2×4 and the ocassional washer and dryer. these trucks weigh less and less, to carry more weight and its dangerous, and they do not ride good, I order F-350 with every option just to get a maxium weighted truck, and they ride and handle better for it.
I disagree. I’ve got a 2009 Silverado half ton, rated at 9000lbs and I tow at that and occasionally more for its past 220000 miles. No powertrain problems. I do have a bad rust issue
Add the max trailer package and this will give you a better towing experience.Extra cooling for transmission and engine,a larger rear dif,Extra springs in rear,better shocks.I added air bags for more stability and keep the truck level.The problem is I have been looking for a new 1500 with this Package for a year now and have not found one yet,Ford or GM.For towing you want rear leaf springs the reason I do not buy a Dodge with coil springs.If you tow a lot think about moving up to a 2500 model.I have no preference.I have owned GM,Ford and Dodge since 1967.No Major problems.I was a certified auto mechanic in 1977 and worked on them all.Synthetic oils used in engines and transmisions because they can take the heat better.Changed often.
I have a friend with a ram 2500, also with coils in the back. It’s not as stable as rear leafs. It rolls and dips. All it is is softer in a strait line.
Hi Don,
All good points, but even the max tow package with the beefier rear dif is still only a 3.42 gear ratio. Considering the overdrive and wide gear spread of the 10 spd tranny they could go with something more like a 4.10 with minimal downside in fuel economy.
It’s interesting to read all the comments re: tow vehicles. I’ve owned a good number of trucks/work vans of all brands and types. This last time after trying them all I ended up with a Colorado V6 tow package. I towed my small trailer across the U.S. with no issues. It easily pulled mountains as living in the SW that’s important. I appreciate the intown manners, easy parking, and great fuel economy. I average 28 city and 20 towing on regular. Even tough the V6 has ample power without revving too high I’ve wondered way GM didn’t opt for the new 2.7L as it might have made the truck that much better. When replacement time arrives I am going to run through all the competition again before choosing. These comments are therefore very useful. Thanks.
Recently got a 2015 2500 seirra diesel and a 40 foot fifth wheel toy hauler camper. I finally got a fifth installed on the other week and went to just move the camper into a different spot. Seemed like it had no problem being able to move it. But the real problem is the suspension. It pushed the leaf springs flat. So gonna have to upgrade the suspension.
Everyone knows if your going to haul or tow (serious Work) with a pickup truck then Ford is the truck you SHOULD GET rams are good if you got a lawn care service and occasionally push it hard (example:putting your big boat in the water and pulling it at the end of the season) and GM well.. they look good in photos on sunny days getting groceries
and with people sitting on and in the bed and tailgate cause that’s what there designed for . The tailgate is proof of that . I’ve. Been around them all . Just look at the numbers. In a nut shell- Torque gets you moving . Horsepower is what keeps you moving and ford has higher torque and make it quick the other two have higher Horsepower numbers but Horsepower dose no good if you can’t get moving. So the gm rating being less is probably more accurate and get more longevity out the transmission with cooler temps. Ball towing with gm is probably the best anyway..you can’t use that cool tailgate with a fith-wheel in the way . So what’s with the rust showing up on these newer vehicles earlier than they should… nobody waxes anymore or what?
The difference in tow ratings between the ball mount and 5th wheel will have to do with the cab/body/driveline configuration. Manufacturers are chasing the highest tow rating and to get it, they use the lightest cab/body config available, and for GM probably a 5.3L regular cab 2x stripper to get to a 13,300 lbs rating so they can fist bump each other. Ford was famous for this years ago and even deleted the spare tire and rear bumper from their test mule to pick up a few extra lbs of capacity. The GM 5th wheel group is probably only available on the extended/crew cab models (4×4 only), and since this config will weigh a lot more, the tow rating goes down… I don’t believe the GM explanation about 5% vs 10%, ball vs 5th wheel. If you have a 13,000 lb trailer, the 5% difference is only 650 lbs, where do they get the 3,400lb capacity loss with a straight face, do they even read their own press releases, did you ask the question Lopez or take their word for it??? Buy a Ram
As long as it doesn’t Kill its owners, it’s a GM success…
I hate to tell you this but the 1500, whether it’s a Chevy, Ford or Dodge does not have the suspension for towing pretty much any fifth wheel. You have to go to the 2500 or 3500 to be safe towing a 5th wheel.
I towed a 37 foot 16,000 lbs. 5th wheel around for 12 years with a 2500 HD Silverado and was right at the towing limit with it and I always worried that I might break my axle. I have since traded in that 2500 for a new 2022 3500 LTZ dually.
It’s surprising how much more sophisticated suspensions are now compared to the earlier 2000 models. This Silverado 3500 HD crew-cab, long-bed Duramax dually rides smoother than my older Silverado 2500 HD crew-cab, long-bed, Duramax.
I can totally understand you requiring a 2500 to properly tow a 37 foot 16,000lb trailer. But the new 150 series 5th wheels that are out are weighing in at around 7,600lbs dry, with a 1,200lb pin weight.
I find it hard to believe that a 2022 Silverado with the 6.2 and the Max Trailering Package cant handle a 5th like this, but it can pull a ball hitch trailer weighing in at close to 13,000lbs. Some of us do not want to drive a 2500 series truck around for 12 months of the year when we only use it for towing a 5th wheeler for 3, maybe 4 trips during that year. Any thoughts ?
The real problem comes not from towing a 5th wheel but stopping once it gets rolling down the road. The HD trucks are more stable on the road, tow better, have beefier suspensions, massive brakes for stopping and the drivetrains to get said vehicles moving. When towing a modest sized 5th wheel with a HD truck you are piloting a 20,000 lbs weapon capable of serious damage to both people and property so why take any chances. If you are going to invest in a 5th wheel then invest in an appropriate HD truck. Just my 2 cents worth.? Happy travels.
Maybe someone should tell the people responsible for the GMC Silverado HD ad currently airing (repeatedly) on network TV.
That baby porpoises like nobody’s business while towing a SOB trailer 5th wheel, and the difference between front and rear wheel well clearance easily exceeds 3 inches.
Enough to tell me what I’ll be buying for my next TV