Chevy Truck Towing Guide

Chevy has three trucks that can tow trailers.

If you like to go boating, ride horses or take your 1968 Camero to car shows, then you need a Chevy truck that can handle the trailer. Towing capacity of each Chevy truck varies from year to year and make to make.

Trucks

Chevy produces three trucks: the Avalanche, Silverado and Colorado. The Silverado comes in three versions: 1500, 2500 and 3500. On the surface, the 2500 and 3500 look like the 1500 but have nearly double the power, torque and towing capacity.

Towing Capacity

Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight a truck can pull without damaging the truck. The 2011 Chevy Avalanche can tow 8,100 pounds and the Colorado can tow 6,000 pounds. The three Silverados (1500, 2500 and 3500) can tow 10,700 pounds, 17,800 pounds and 21,700 pounds, respectively.

Driving Tips

When driving downhill, shift your truck into a lower gear. Speed creates trailer sway; reducing speed reduces sway and makes for a safer tow.

Parking Considerations

Chevy recommends that you never park your truck and trailer on a grade. If you must do so, put the truck into neutral after applying the brakes and have a second person put a rock or wood block under the trailer tires on the downhill side. Release the brake until you butt up against the wood block. Once secure, put in park and apply the parking brake.

References

• Chevrolet: 2011 Avalanche
• Chevrolet: 2011 Colorado
• Chevrolet: 2011 Silverado 1500
• Chevrolet: 2011 Silverado 2500HD
• Chevrolet: 2011 Chevrolet Trailering Guide
• Traveled Lane Trailers: Trailering 101

Resources

• Towing World: Articles
• U-Haul: Towing Glossary
• Hitches4Less: Trailer Hitch Classes