2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 towing capacity
Max tow rating
12,000lb
- RST Crew Cab 4WD, 2.7L.
- Base trim: 9,700 lb.
- Top 8% of 14 trucks (2020).
Trailer check
Yes. 9,600 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 12,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 9,600 lb
- Margin
- 2,400 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- IV, up to 10,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 199% of 4,815 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 12-16 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 12,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 9,600 lb
- Hitch class at max
- V, over 10,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Yes |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Yes |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Yes |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | Some, up to 9,600 lb |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 12,000 lb: RST Crew Cab 4WD, $44,800.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RST Crew Cab 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 12,000 lb | 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,815 lb | $44,800 |
| RST Crew Cab LB 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 11,900 lb | 2,133 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,867 lb | $45,100 |
| LT Double Cab RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 11,600 lb | 2,202 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,598 lb | $37,200 |
| RST Double Cab RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 11,600 lb | 2,202 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,598 lb | $39,100 |
| LTZ Double Cab RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 11,600 lb | 2,202 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,598 lb | $43,300 |
| LT Crew Cab RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 11,500 lb | 2,198 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,602 lb | $39,600 |
| LTZ Crew Cab RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 11,500 lb | 2,298 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,602 lb | $45,700 |
| LTZ Crew Cab LB RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 11,400 lb | 2,226 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,674 lb | $46,000 |
| LT Crew Cab LB 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 11,300 lb | 2,133 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,867 lb | $43,200 |
| Work Truck Regular Cab 4WD | 4.3L | 4WD | 9,800 lb | 2,318 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,582 lb | $33,100 |
| High Country Crew Cab RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 9,800 lb | 2,298 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,602 lb | $53,300 |
| Work Truck Double Cab RWD | 4.3L | RWD | 9,700 lb | 2,202 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,598 lb | $32,400 |
| Custom Double Cab RWD | 4.3L | RWD | 9,700 lb | 2,202 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,598 lb | $34,600 |
| Custom Crew Cab RWD | 4.3L | RWD | 9,700 lb | 2,198 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,602 lb | $37,000 |
| High Country Crew Cab LB RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 9,700 lb | 2,226 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,674 lb | $53,600 |
| Custom Crew Cab LB RWD | 4.3L | RWD | 9,600 lb | 2,126 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,674 lb | $37,300 |
| Work Truck Double Cab 4WD | 4.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 9,500 lb | 2,020 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $35,700 |
| Custom Double Cab 4WD | 4.3L | 4WD | 9,500 lb | 2,020 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $37,900 |
| Work Truck Crew Cab 4WD | 4.3L | 4WD | 9,500 lb | 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,815 lb | $38,100 |
| Work Truck Crew Cab LB 4WD | 4.3L | 4WD | 9,500 lb | 2,133 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,867 lb | $38,400 |
| Custom Trail Boss Double Cab 4WD | 4.3L | 4WD | 9,500 lb | 2,020 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,868 lb | $39,700 |
| Work Truck Regular Cab RWD | 4.3L 6cyl | RWD | 7,900 lb to 10,000 lb | 2,250 lb to 2,431 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,520 lb | $28,500 |
| Work Truck Crew Cab RWD | 4.3L 6cyl | RWD | 7,700 lb to 9,700 lb | 2,040 lb to 2,198 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,674 lb | $34,800 |
| Work Truck Crew Cab LB RWD | 4.3L 6cyl | RWD | 7,600 lb to 9,600 lb | 1,960 lb to 2,126 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,674 lb | $35,100 |
| LT Crew Cab LB RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 6,800 lb to 11,400 lb | 1,990 lb to 2,126 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,770 lb | $39,900 |
| Custom Crew Cab 4WD | 4.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 7,500 lb to 11,000 lb | 2,020 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $40,300 |
| LT Double Cab 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 11,300 lb to 11,400 lb | 2,050 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $40,500 |
| Custom Crew Cab LB 4WD | 4.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 7,400 lb to 9,500 lb | 1,970 lb to 2,133 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,867 lb | $40,600 |
| RST Crew Cab RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 6,800 lb to 11,500 lb | 2,060 lb to 2,198 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,700 lb | $41,500 |
| RST Crew Cab LB RWD | 2.7L | RWD | 6,800 lb to 11,400 lb | 1,990 lb to 2,126 lb | 6,800 lb | 4,770 lb | $41,800 |
| Custom Trail Boss Crew Cab 4WD | 4.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 7,500 lb to 9,500 lb | 2,020 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,868 lb | $42,100 |
| Custom Trail Boss Crew Cab LB 4WD | 4.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 7,400 lb to 9,400 lb | 1,970 lb | 6,900 lb | 4,867 lb | $42,400 |
| RST Double Cab 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 11,300 lb to 13,400 lb | 2,050 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $42,400 |
| LT Crew Cab 4WD | 2.7L | 4WD | 6,600 lb to 11,300 lb | 2,050 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,868 lb | $42,900 |
| LTZ Double Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 11,300 lb to 13,400 lb | 1,970 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,815 lb | $46,600 |
| LT Trail Boss Crew Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,400 lb to 9,600 lb | 1,990 lb to 2,185 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,815 lb | $48,800 |
| LTZ Crew Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,600 lb to 12,000 lb | 2,060 lb to 2,285 lb | 7,100 lb | 4,815 lb | $49,000 |
| LT Trail Boss Crew Cab LB 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,400 lb to 9,500 lb | 2,010 lb to 2,133 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,867 lb | $49,100 |
| LTZ Crew Cab LB 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,500 lb to 11,900 lb | 2,010 lb to 2,233 lb | 7,100 lb | 4,867 lb | $49,300 |
| High Country Crew Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,600 lb to 12,000 lb | 2,060 lb to 2,285 lb | 7,100 lb | 4,815 lb | $56,800 |
| High Country Crew Cab LB 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 9,500 lb to 11,900 lb | 2,000 lb to 2,233 lb | 7,100 lb | 4,867 lb | $57,100 |
No rating listed: 1 trim.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2010: 10,600 lb to 10,700 lb.
- Changed in 2014: 10,700 lb to 12,000 lb.
- Changed in 2015: 12,000 lb to 11,900 lb.
- Changed in 2016: 11,900 lb to 12,000 lb.
- Changed in 2019: 12,000 lb to 11,600 lb.
- Changed in 2020: 11,600 lb to 12,000 lb.
- Changed in 2021: 12,000 lb to 11,900 lb.
- Changed in 2022: 11,900 lb to 13,300 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (this car) | 12,000 lb | RST Crew Cab 4WD | $44,800 |
| RAM 1500 | 11,340 lb | Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4WD | $54,640 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 11,300 lb | SLE Double Cab RWD | $38,000 |
| Toyota Tundra | 10,200 lb | SR Double Cab RWD | $33,575 |
| Ford F-150 | 9,300 lb | Raptor 4WD SuperCab 5.5' Box | $53,455 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 7,700 lb | 4WD Ext Cab 128" Work Truck | $28,700 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 6,800 lb | SR5 Access Cab 6' Bed V6 AT RWD | $30,970 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
- What can tow 7,500 lb? 47 models (2026)
- What can tow 10,000 lb? 12 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree