2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Towing a Trailer
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual for more information.
If the vehicle has a two–mode hybrid engine, see the
Two–mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In
on page 3‑21for more information.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well or even
at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle. Notice:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with
the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later
in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these
are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
pulling a trailer.
5-51

Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make
sure the rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you will be driving. A good source
for this information can be state or provincial
police.
.Consider using a sway control. See“Hitches”later
in this section.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
.During the first 500 miles (800 km) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do
not make starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. Important considerations that have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer
.The weight of the trailer tongue
.The weight on the vehicle's tires
.And the weight of the trailering combination
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. Speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and how much the vehicle
is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend
on any special equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See
“Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for
more information.
Trailer weight rating (TWR) is calculated assuming the
tow vehicle has only the driver but all required trailering
equipment. Weight of additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the trailer weight rating.
Use the following chart to determine how much the
vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and
options.
Weights listed apply for conventional trailers and
fifth-wheel trailers unless otherwise noted.
5-52

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,400 lbs (2 449 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 3.08 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L LMG V8, K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 7,400 lbs (3 357 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,100 lbs (4 128 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.08 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 6,900 lbs (3 130 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 9,200 lbs (4 173 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 9,300 lbs (4 218 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5-53

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg—Conventional Trailer 3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73 10,200 lbs (4 627 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.73 10,700 lbs (4 853 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (c) 4.8L V8 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 (LMG) 3.08 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (XFE) 3.08 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.73 10,600 lbs (4 808 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,100 lbs (3 221 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.08 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5-54

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.087,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.426,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
8,800 lbs (3 992 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box (b) 5.3L V8 3.086,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.086,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
9,500 lbs (4 309 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.735,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.426,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.086,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 —Conventional Trailer 3.086,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.087,100 lbs (3 221 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5-55

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.08 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 —Conventional Trailer 3.08 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 354 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 (c) 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73 9,900 lbs (4 491 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.73 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Short Box (c) 4.8L V8 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.08 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5-56

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg—Conventional Trailer 3.73 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 5,800 lbs (2 631 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.08 6,300 lbs (2 858 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Long Box (b) 5.3L V8 (c) 3.08 5,800 lbs (2 631 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.08 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 12,200 lbs (5 534 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42 9,300 lbs (4 218 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
2500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box HD (d) 6.0L V8 3.73
4.1010,200 lbs (4 627 kg)
12,700 lbs (5 761 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
5-57

VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
2500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Standard Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.1010,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,500 lbs (5 670 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.1010,500 lbs (4 763 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.1010,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,500 lbs (5 670 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Long Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.109,900 lbs (4 491 kg)
12,400 lbs (5 625 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.109,900 lbs (4 491 kg)
12,400 lbs (5 625 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Standard Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.109,800 lbs (4 445 kg)
12,300 lbs (5 579 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
2500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box HD (d)
6.0L V8 3.73
4.1010,200 lbs (4 627 kg)
12,700 lbs (5 761 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
18,500 lbs (8 391 kg)
5-58