What you need to tow with a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is rated from 14,500 to 20,000 lb depending on engine, cab, bed and drivetrain — a 38% spread. Find your configuration below, then size the hitch to the trailer you are towing, not to the truck's maximum.

A single towing number for this truck would be a lie. 20,000 lb applies to one exact configuration when properly equipped. Same badge, different engine, cab, bed or drivetrain, and the real figure can be thousands of pounds lower. That is why every row below carries its configuration.

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD towing by configuration

Engine	Cab	Bed	Drive	GCWR (lb)	Max trailer (lb)	Requires
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Crew Cab	Standard Bed	2WD	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Crew Cab	Long Bed	2WD	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Crew Cab	Standard Bed	4x4	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Crew Cab	Long Bed	4x4	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Double Cab	Long Bed	2WD	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Double Cab	Long Bed	4x4	30,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Crew Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	40,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Crew Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	40,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Double Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	40,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Double Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	40,000	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Regular Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	43,500	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW)	Regular Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	43,500	20,000	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 with Max Trailering Package (DRW) 1 Maximum trailering ratings vehicle may vary. The weight 2 Gross Combination Weight 3 High Country.	Regular Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	43,900	20,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Regular Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	26,000	18,700	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Regular Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	26,000	18,400	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Double Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	26,000	18,300	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Long Bed	2WD DRW	26,000	18,200	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Double Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	26,000	18,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	26,000	17,800	—
6.6L V8 Gas (High Country)	Crew Cab	Long Bed	4x4 DRW	26,000	17,600	High Country.
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Standard Bed	2WD	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Long Bed	2WD	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Standard Bed	4x4	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Crew Cab	Long Bed	4x4	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Double Cab	Long Bed	2WD	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Double Cab	Long Bed	4x4	26,000	16,000	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Regular Cab	Long Bed	2WD	26,000	14,500	—
6.6L V8 Gas	Regular Cab	Long Bed	4x4	26,000	14,500	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Regular Cab	Long Bed	2WD	30,000	14,500	—
Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW)	Regular Cab	Long Bed	4x4	30,000	14,500	—

GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the loaded truck and the loaded trailer. Max trailer weight assumes the vehicle is properly equipped and otherwise unloaded — every passenger and every pound of cargo comes off it.

Source: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD manufacturer trailering chart · last verified 2026-08-29

The kit for this truck

Towing hardware is sized to the trailer. Pick the weight you are actually pulling:

Tow 7,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 8,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 9,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 10,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 11,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 12,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 14,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD Tow 16,000 lb with a Silverado 3500 HD

At this truck's ceiling (20,000 lb) you would be in Class 5 CD hardware with a weight-distributing hitch and a brake controller. See the 16,000 lb kit for this vehicle →

Before you trust any of these numbers

Your payload governs. Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or doorframe.
Tongue weight is not free. 10–15% of the trailer sits on your rear axle and comes out of payload, not out of tow rating.
Engines in this chart: 6.6L V8 Gas · 6.6L V8 Gas (High Country) · Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (SRW) · Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 (DRW) · Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 with Max Trailering Package (DRW) 1 Maximum trailering ratings vehicle may vary. The weight 2 Gross Combination Weight 3 High Country.. If yours is not listed, this chart does not cover your configuration.

Common questions

How much can a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD tow?

Between 14,500 and 20,000 lb depending on the exact configuration — that is a 38% spread, so a single headline number is misleading. The 20,000 lb figure requires one specific combination of engine, cab, bed and drivetrain. Look up your own configuration in the table on this page.

What hitch do I need for a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD?

Size the hitch to the trailer, not the truck. For a trailer up to 10,000 lb you need Class 4 hardware with a 2 in receiver, plus a weight-distributing hitch with sway control. The truck's rating is a ceiling you must stay under, not the thing you buy for.

Why is there no payload number on this page?

Because payload is specific to your individual vehicle, not to the model. It is printed on the certification label in your driver's door jamb. Published sources disagree with manufacturers in both directions on payload, so stating one per model would be wrong for most trucks. Your tongue weight counts against payload, which is why it matters.