DETROIT – General Motors recently announced the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups will maintain a 12,000-pound maximum available trailer weight rating as the company transitions to new ratings for 2015 based on SAE J2807 Recommended Practices.

“We engineered the new Silverado and Sierra 1500s to be our most capable light-duty pickups ever,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer. “For 2015, we will build on that strong foundation to implement SAE J2807 while maintaining robust towing capability across the lineup.”

The 2015 Silverado 1500 will be available with a number of features engineered for serious towing:

– The available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 is the most powerful engine offered in any light-duty pickup, with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Like other EcoTec3 engines, it combines proven performance with advanced fuel-saving technologies, seamlessly switching to four cylinders to improve efficiency in light-load driving.
–  The available NHT max trailering package includes a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, revised shock tuning for increased control, enhanced cooling, and an integrated trailer brake controller. Also included is an automatic locking rear differential, trailer hitch, and bumper-mounted 4- and 7-pin connectors.
– Combined, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 and max trailering package will give the 2015 Silverado 1500 2WD double-cab a 12,000 pound trailer weight rating.  The comparable 4×4 version will have a trailer weight rating of 11,900 pounds.
– Silverado’s standard 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 and available 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 also will offer significant towing capability for 2015, with maximum available trailer weight ratings of 11,200 pounds for the 5.3L V-8 and 7,600 pounds for the V-6. (SAE J2807; see attached Trailering Tables for details.)

Foundation for all 2015 Silverado 1500s is a fully boxed high-strength steel frame. Extensive use of high-strength steels in the frame and body structure also contributes to a quieter interior and more solid feel, and helps Silverado earn a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety in the newest government crash tests. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program.