Towing capacity of the
Chevrolet Silverado
2500HD and 3500HD

The towing capacity of the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD clearly places these two trucks in the big leagues. The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD can reach up to 22,070 lb. (10,011 kg), while the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD climbs to 36,000 lb. (16,330 kg) when configured for the most demanding jobs.

Put simply: the 2500HD is designed for you if you tow heavy loads often, while the 3500HD is made for you if you want to be unstoppable.

The real question is not only “how much can I pull?” It is “which HD matches my use?” Depending on the selected cab, cargo bed length, single or dual rear wheels, the gas engine or the Duramax diesel, and the hitch type, the answer can change a lot.

That is exactly where the Silverado HD gets interesting: it does not speak only to those who want a big truck, but to those who want the right truck for the right load.

In summary

  • The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD can tow up to 22,070 lb., while the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD can go up to 36,000 lb. when properly equipped.
  • Both models share a 6.6L gas V8 with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 with 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
  • The 2500HD suits you if you want major capability without going to the extreme, while the 3500HD, especially with dual rear wheels, targets ultra-heavy towing.
  • Chevrolet adds truly useful aids: up to 8 cameras, 14 views, a trailering app, hitch view, trailer side obstacle detection, and depending on the trim, a transparent trailer view.

Towing capacity of the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD: 22,070 to 36,000 lb. / 10,011 to 16,330 kg

In 2026, the Silverado 2500HD reaches an already impressive tow rating of 22,070 lb., depending on configuration and with the 6.6L Duramax and the Max Trailering Package with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch. The Silverado 3500HD plays in an even more serious league, with a maximum towing capacity that reaches 36,000 lb.

Keep in mind that towing capacity depends not only on the type of truck, but also on its configuration, including the choice of cargo bed and whether you opt for a double cab or a regular cab. If you are unsure, call your GM Paillé dealer, in Berthierville or Sorel-Tracy in the Lanaudière region. We are here to help.

Our experts have a lot to say about the towing capacity of a truck and will answer all your questions, whether remotely or in person.

Here is also a quick reference to show how the Silverado Heavy-Duty towing capacity has evolved over the years:

 Model year Silverado 2500HD Silverado 3500HD
2016 18,000 lb. / 8,165 kg 23,200 lb. / 10,523 kg
2017 18,100 lb. / 8,210 kg 23,300 lb. / 10,569 kg
2018 18,100 lb. / 8,210 kg 23,300 lb. / 10,569 kg
2019 17,500 lb. / 7,938 kg 23,100 lb. / 10,478 kg
2020 18,510 lb. / 8,396 kg 35,500 lb. / 16,103 kg
2021 18,510 lb. / 8,396 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg
2022 18,510 lb. / 8,396 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg
2023 18,480 lb. / 8,385 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg
2024 22,430 lb. / 10,174 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg
2025 22,430 lb. / 10,174 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg
2026 22,070 lb. / 10,009 kg 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg

 

*These towing capacities always vary depending on the model, trim, configuration, and selected equipment.

What you can tow with a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

In practice, the 2500HD already covers a wide range of needs. It can suit a large travel trailer, a well-loaded enclosed trailer, a sizable boat, or a mid-size to large fifth wheel, depending on the chosen configuration.

The 3500HD, for its part, changes the game. It is built for you if you tow very heavy loads regularly: big RVs, a more serious horse trailer, a jobsite trailer, agricultural equipment, machinery, or significant commercial loads. It is the truck you consider when extreme capacity is a requirement from the start. And the fact that it can be delivered with dual rear wheels already says a lot about its mission.

If you do not need a 1-ton truck like the 3500HD, and you prefer a manageable format that is easy to live with day to day, the towing capacity of the Silverado 1500 already reaches 13,300 lb.

Pro advice

“ A 2500HD is not a truck for occasional use: it is a tool for frequent towing. It is also the perfect size truck if you want a pickup that is easier to live with day to day and more agile than a 3500HD with dual rear wheels, for example. ”

‒ Alexandre Rivest, sales consultant" aux Pro advice

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD: performance and powertrains

Chevrolet keeps a simple, highly effective recipe. As standard, both models come with a 6.6L gas V8 that develops 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. It is a reassuring, straightforward, and robust engine, with a direct response that will suit you if you use your truck for work and for serious towing without necessarily wanting to aim for the absolute maximum on every trip.

You can also choose the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8, with 470 horsepower and, above all, 975 lb-ft of torque. It is the one that gives the Silverado HD its most impressive personality. Its advantage is not only its brute strength on paper. It is how it delivers that strength when the trailer is heavy, when the road climbs, as the kilometres add up, or when you simply want to feel the truck working with more ease. For intensive towing, it is clearly the powertrain to prioritize.

Chevrolet options and accessories for towing

The strength of the Silverado HD is not just its muscle. It also lets you tow with more calm. You can get up to 8 cameras offering up to 14 views, a built-in trailering app, hitch view, and on certain configurations, a transparent trailer view.

When you hitch up on your own, back into tight spaces, or want to monitor what is happening around the trailer, these tools quickly become more than a gadget. And if you want more towing tips, come talk with us at one of our GM Paillé locations or by phone.

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD: a capable truck

The 2500HD and the 3500HD do not serve the same type of driver, even if they share the same mechanical base. The first focuses on a very solid balance between capacity, versatility, and daily life. The second focuses on reserve, stability, maximum robustness, and safety margins when the load becomes truly significant.

Add to that maximum payloads of up to 4,200 lb. on the 2500HD and up to 4,590 lb. on the 3500HD, depending on trims and configurations, and you quickly understand that we are talking about trucks capable of handling much more than a simple hitch at the back.

These are Silverados designed for real work, big leisure, long distances, and for users who want to feel their truck still has breathing room even when everything is hitched.

PRO ADVICE

“ If you want a truck with a lot of muscle for towing but without necessarily entering the world of dually trucks, the 2500 HD is the perfect starting point. 

If your world already revolves around daily heaving towing, the 3500 HD is simply the best option.”

‒ Alexandre Rivest, sales consultant

Frequently asked questions about the towing capacity of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

Contact us

Don't worry! We'll never share or sell your personal information.Privacy Policy
Logo Access 360