Page 387 of 588

Black plate (93,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-93
To avoid this, let the engine
run while parked, preferably on
level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, seeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑24.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear and not in N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when on fairly
level ground, use the steps that
follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If the transfer case on a
four-wheel-drive vehicle is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).
Page 388 of 588

Black plate (94,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-94 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information. Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
See
New Vehicle Break-In
on
page 9‑32for 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.
Page 389 of 588

Black plate (95,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-95
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” 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.
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.
Page 390 of 588
Black plate (96,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-96 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.232 177 kg (4,800 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Automatic
Transmission (c) 3.73
2 449 kg (5,400 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Manual
Transmission (c) 3.73
1 860 kg (4,100 lbs) 3 938 kg (8,683 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 3.082 994 kg (6,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 357 kg (7,400 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
Page 391 of 588

Black plate (97,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-97
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.231 996 kg (4,400 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 130 kg (6,900 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 173 kg (9,200 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 218 kg (9,300 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.73
4 853 kg (10,700 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73
4 627 kg (10,200 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
Page 392 of 588

Black plate (98,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-98 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (c) 4.8L V8 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) 3.082 767 kg (6,100 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 084 kg (6,800 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg (XFE) 3.08
3 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 3.423 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.734 808 kg (10,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.732 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.232 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 221 kg (7,100 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
Page 393 of 588

Black plate (99,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-99
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 3.422 948 kg (6,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
3 992 kg (8,800 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box (b) 5.3L V8 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 309 kg (9,500 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.732 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (c) 3.082 903 kg (6,400 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 221 kg (7,100 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
Page 394 of 588

Black plate (100,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
9-100 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
3 674 kg (8,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b) 4.8L V8 (c) 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (c) 3.082 767 kg (6,100 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (c) 3.083 084 kg (6,800 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 354 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.73
4 717 kg (10,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73
4 491 kg (9,900 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)