2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent
of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” later in the section. Tow/Haul
is most useful under the following driving conditions:
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
through rolling terrain.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in stop and go traffic.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in busy parking lots where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benet to the selection of Tow/Haul when
the vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle,
and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in this section
for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
4-57

Use one of the following charts to determine how much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle model and
options.
C-1500 Regular Cab
Standard Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V63.23
3.734,800 lbs (2 177 kg)
5,300 lbs (2 404 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.23
3.735,200 lbs (2 359 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.737,200 lbs (3 266 kg)
8,200 lbs (3 719 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
4-58

C-1500 Extended Cab
Standard Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V63.23
3.734,300 lbs (1 950 kg)
4,800 lbs (2 177 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.23
3.734,700 lbs (2 132 kg)
6,700 lbs (3 039 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,800 lbs (3 992 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8+ 3.73 10,200 lbs (4 627 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
+NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
4-59

C-1500 Extended Cab
Short Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V63.23
3.734,400 lbs (1 196 kg)
4,900 lbs (2 223 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.23
3.734,800 lbs (2 177 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,800 lbs (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,800 lbs (3 992 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
C-1500 Crew Cab Short
Box (2WD)* Axle RatioMaximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.8L V83.23
3.734,600 lbs (2 086 kg)
6,600 lbs (2 994 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,600 lbs (2 994 kg)
7,600 lbs (3 447 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8+ 3.73 10,200 lbs (4 627 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
+NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
4-60

C-1500 Regular Cab
Long Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V63.23
3.734,700 lbs (2 132 kg)
5,200 lbs (2 359 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.23
3.735,100 lbs (2 313 kg)
7,100 lbs (3 221 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.737,000 lbs (3 175 kg)
8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
C-1500 Extended Cab
Long Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
5.3L V83.42
3.736,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
4-61

K-1500 Regular Cab
Standard Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V6 3.73 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.42
4.105,900 lbs (2 676 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg)13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer rating limited to 7,300 lbs (3 311 kg).
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
K-1500 Extended Cab
Standard Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.8L V83.42
4.105,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8+ 4.10 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
+NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
4-62

K-1500 Extended Cab
Short Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.8L V83.42
4.105,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
K-1500 Crew Cab Short
Box (4WD)* Axle RatioMaximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.8L V83.42
4.105,400 lbs (2 449 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 356 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,400 lbs (3 810 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8+ 4.10 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
+NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
4-63

K-1500 Regular Cab
Long Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4.3L V6 3.73 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.42
4.105,900 lbs (2 676 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg)13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
K-1500 Extended Cab
Long Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
5.3L V83.73
4.107,300 lbs (3 311 kg)
8,300 lbs (3 765 kg)13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
4-64