Page 368 of 584

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
9-82 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see“Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment
to tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.” For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑97. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home,
see Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑97.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
Pulling a Trailer
Important points for pulling a trailer:
.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” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑102.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 800 km (500 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle, or other parts
could be damaged.
.During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) 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:
.Weight of the trailer
.Weight of the trailer tongue
.Weight on the vehicle's tires
.Weight of the trailering
combination
Page 372 of 584

Black plate (86,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
9-86 Driving and Operating
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.
SeeNew Vehicle Break-In on
page 9‑26 for 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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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” 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.
Page 373 of 584

Black plate (87,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-87
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.
For kingpin weight and trailer
tongue weight information, see
“Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later
in this section. 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.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box
4.3L V6 (b) 3.23 2 177 kg (4,800 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Automatic
Transmission (b) 3.73 2 449 kg (5,400 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Manual
Transmission (b) 3.73 1 860 kg (4,100 lbs) 3 938 kg (8,683 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.23 2 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.73 3 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 (b) 3.08 2 994 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)
Page 374 of 584

Black plate (88,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
9-88 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.231 996 kg (4,400 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 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
4 264 kg (9,400 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
4 264 kg (9,400 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
4 808 kg (10,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
Page 375 of 584

Black plate (89,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-89
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (b) 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) 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 130 kg (6,900 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LC9) XFE 3.083 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.42
4 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 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 4.3L V6 (b) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.232 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.733 221 kg (7,100 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.082 948 kg (6,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
Page 376 of 584

Black plate (90,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
9-90 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 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
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box 5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 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
4 082 kg (9,000 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 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 377 of 584
Black plate (91,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-91
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
3 719 kg (8,200 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box 4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 767 kg (6,100 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 3.083 084 kg (6,800 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 354 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 354 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
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
Page 378 of 584

Black plate (92,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
9-92 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
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
4 672 kg (10,300 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Short Box (b) 4.8L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
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 3.424 309 kg (9,500 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.734 717 kg (10,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 223 kg (4,900 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 631 kg (5,800 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 858 kg (6,300 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg —Conventional Trailer 3.08
3 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)