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For years, truck manufactures have been dragging their feet when it comes to releasing vehicle tow ratings based on Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2807 standards, but starting with the 2015 models, one of Detroit’s finest is finally stepping up its game and ultimately throwing down for the future model year. So what does this mean for GM’s future tow ratings? Well, read on to find out.
According to Chevrolet, the new model-year Silverado will maintain the maximum 12,000-pound tow rating that the 2014 model featured, despite the company’s tow ratings now being based on SAE standards. But, while the max rating remains, the majority of new Silverado models will not be able to tow that amount of weight. This all depends on the various Silverado configurations being offered.
With SAE standards now being used by GM, this means that their tow ratings are based on stricter internationally-accepted criteria verses criteria made up by each individual truck manufacturer. To get these ratings, specific test protocols are used to determine the performance standards for trailering vehicles, including tests for cooling system capabilities, combined handling and braking performance, and launch and acceleration performance on a paved surface with a 12-percent up-slope.
Additional assumptions are used to calculate trailer weight ratings, including that the tow vehicle includes up to 70 pounds of hitch equipment, ten percent of the trailer’s weight is on the tongue in cases of conventional trailering and that there is a driver and a passenger in the tow vehicle with an average weight of 150 pounds each. Obviously these assumptions don’t cover every trailering situation, but they do allow for a more consistent standard to compare all vehicles’ tow ratings against one another.
Based on the SAE standards and assumptions, the new Silverado has a towing capacity of between 5,500 pounds for a 2wd Crew Cab with a 6-foot 6-inch box and 4.3L engine to 12,000 pounds for a 2wd Crew Cab with a 5-foot 8-inch box, Max Trailering Package and a 6.2L engine. Silverado 4WD models come in a bit lower because of the additional weight of their drivetrains, which must be accounted for in their overall gross combined trailer weight rating (GCWR), and that lowers their overall tow ratings.
All of the SAE J2807 tow ratings for all of the 2015 Silverado configurations available are below, compliments of Chevrolet.
Trailering – 2015 Silverado 1500 Regular Cab (SAE J2807)
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2WD: |
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Regular Cab, 6’ 6” box |
6,100 lbs. / 2,767 kg. – 4.3L (3.23 axle) |
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Regular Cab, 8’ box |
5,900 lbs. / 2,676 kg. – 4.3L (3.23 axle) |
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4WD: |
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Regular Cab, 6’ 6” box |
7,600 lbs. / 3,447 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
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Regular Cab, 8’ box |
7,400 lbs. / 3,357 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
Trailering – 2015 Silverado 1500 Double Cab (SAE J2807)
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2WD: |
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Double Cab, 6’ 6” box |
5,600 lbs. / 2,540 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
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Double Cab, 6’ 6” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
11,200 lbs. / 5,080 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
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4WD: |
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Double Cab, 6’ 6” box |
7,200 lbs. / 3,266 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
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Double Cab, 6’ 6” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
11,000 lbs. / 4,990 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
Trailering – 2015 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab (SAE J2807)
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2WD: |
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Crew Cab, 5’ 8” box |
5,600 lbs. / 2,540 kg. – 4.3L (3.23 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 5’ 8” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
11,100 lbs. / 5,035 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 6’ 6” box |
5,500 lbs. / 2,495 kg. – 4.3L (3.23 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 6’ 6” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
11,000 lbs. / 4,990 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
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4WD: |
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Crew Cab, 5’ 8” box |
7,100 lbs. / 3,221 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 5’ 8” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
10,900 lbs. / 4,944 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 6’ 6” box |
7,000 lbs. / 3,175 kg. – 4.3L (3.42 axle) |
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Crew Cab, 6’ 6” box w/ Max Trailering Package |
10,800 lbs. / 5,352 kg. – 5.3L (3.73 axle) |
