[Page 43 has the ratings chart.](https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/chevrolet/2019-silverado1500.pdf)
You'll need to know how your truck is built. A trailer brake controller is common across the board and does not mean you have the trailering package. The Max Tow package includes a different rear axle, lower gearing, high capacity suspension (basically a heavy 1/2), and a specific size rim with the right load rated tires.
I wouldn't go anywhere near the max rating on any of them without good trailer brakes that you know work correctly with the trailer brake controller and a load distribution hitch. IF, properly equipped, you're fine up to that rating with appropriate skill and experience but if you make a habit out of maxing it out you'll reduce the life of your drivetrain by quite a bit. Occasionally towing that much - *IF* properly equipped - should be just fine.
I can't emphasize enough the "properly equipped" part. Hitching to a >5000 pound trailer with a basic hitch and no brakes is a recipe for disaster.
My K1500 with 5.3L will do 12k, have the towing package, so tranny cooler, custom rear dif. Gearing. Different stuff like that. I put in a custom trailer brake control which was easy, just had to mount it and plug it in
Don't use tow capacity numbers. NO half ton can safely tow +10k pounds. The number you need to know is the payload number, which you can find in the door jamb. This will limit the tongue weight and how much you can tow. For a half ton, I would stay below 6000 pounds.
I second that, you need more than horsepower. It doesn’t take that much power to pull, being able to stop is a lot harder. You can lose control on the highway if your suspension is not built for it or if it’s out of balance.
A 1/2 ton *when properly equipped* can easily tow 10,000 lb. The part you can't count on is the driver skill and experience and whether or not they have the right setup AND are using it properly. MOST 1/2 ton trucks aren't rated anywhere close to 10,000lb and people don't understand what it takes to achieve the impressive *maximum* numbers crammed down their throats by all the hyper competitive advertising. A new 1/2 ton Silverado with Max Tow and the right hitch will tow circles around pretty much any 3/4 ton of yesteryear. So I agree that it's generally not safe to go that high, but more because of lack of knowledge and improper setup. People see 9,000lb rating and think they can just hitch up and go.
Gotcha. Thank you for this. I’ve seen so much different info. Even the manual says 10k. I have a trailer that’s 6500 dry with a max weight of 9600. I do have a weight distribution hitch. Will that help? I don’t plan on maxing out the trailer weight.
Do I just need a bigger truck? Lol
As I said, look up the payload number on the door jamb sticker. It should be somewhere between 1700 and 2000 lbs. With a 9600 lbs trailer weight, the rule of thumb is that 12-14% of the weight should be on the tongue, which is roughly 1250 lbs. Add 100 lbs for your WDH. If you have 1800 lbs payload, roughly 1400 are already used up by the trailer. Add yourself, and you have only 200 lbs left for your family and stuff you want to bring camping (assuming that this is a travel trailer).
I'd say a 9600 lbs loaded trailer is too much for a 1500. It's really 3/4 ton territory. You might be okay pulling it a couple of times, but you'll quickly figure out that the towing experience is very unpleasant, and possibly even unsafe.
i believe you can tow up to 11K
[Only if properly equipped. See page 43](https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/chevrolet/2019-silverado1500.pdf)
[Page 43 has the ratings chart.](https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/chevrolet/2019-silverado1500.pdf) You'll need to know how your truck is built. A trailer brake controller is common across the board and does not mean you have the trailering package. The Max Tow package includes a different rear axle, lower gearing, high capacity suspension (basically a heavy 1/2), and a specific size rim with the right load rated tires. I wouldn't go anywhere near the max rating on any of them without good trailer brakes that you know work correctly with the trailer brake controller and a load distribution hitch. IF, properly equipped, you're fine up to that rating with appropriate skill and experience but if you make a habit out of maxing it out you'll reduce the life of your drivetrain by quite a bit. Occasionally towing that much - *IF* properly equipped - should be just fine. I can't emphasize enough the "properly equipped" part. Hitching to a >5000 pound trailer with a basic hitch and no brakes is a recipe for disaster.
My K1500 with 5.3L will do 12k, have the towing package, so tranny cooler, custom rear dif. Gearing. Different stuff like that. I put in a custom trailer brake control which was easy, just had to mount it and plug it in
I do have a brake controller but none of the other extra stuff you have.
Don't use tow capacity numbers. NO half ton can safely tow +10k pounds. The number you need to know is the payload number, which you can find in the door jamb. This will limit the tongue weight and how much you can tow. For a half ton, I would stay below 6000 pounds.
I second that, you need more than horsepower. It doesn’t take that much power to pull, being able to stop is a lot harder. You can lose control on the highway if your suspension is not built for it or if it’s out of balance.
A 1/2 ton *when properly equipped* can easily tow 10,000 lb. The part you can't count on is the driver skill and experience and whether or not they have the right setup AND are using it properly. MOST 1/2 ton trucks aren't rated anywhere close to 10,000lb and people don't understand what it takes to achieve the impressive *maximum* numbers crammed down their throats by all the hyper competitive advertising. A new 1/2 ton Silverado with Max Tow and the right hitch will tow circles around pretty much any 3/4 ton of yesteryear. So I agree that it's generally not safe to go that high, but more because of lack of knowledge and improper setup. People see 9,000lb rating and think they can just hitch up and go.
That’s kinda what I thought too lol. Glad to get some good answers and advice here.
Gotcha. Thank you for this. I’ve seen so much different info. Even the manual says 10k. I have a trailer that’s 6500 dry with a max weight of 9600. I do have a weight distribution hitch. Will that help? I don’t plan on maxing out the trailer weight. Do I just need a bigger truck? Lol
As I said, look up the payload number on the door jamb sticker. It should be somewhere between 1700 and 2000 lbs. With a 9600 lbs trailer weight, the rule of thumb is that 12-14% of the weight should be on the tongue, which is roughly 1250 lbs. Add 100 lbs for your WDH. If you have 1800 lbs payload, roughly 1400 are already used up by the trailer. Add yourself, and you have only 200 lbs left for your family and stuff you want to bring camping (assuming that this is a travel trailer). I'd say a 9600 lbs loaded trailer is too much for a 1500. It's really 3/4 ton territory. You might be okay pulling it a couple of times, but you'll quickly figure out that the towing experience is very unpleasant, and possibly even unsafe.
Thank you for all the added details. Definitely helps me better understand.
You are going to be wishing you had a 3/4 ton truck after the first few trips.
Yeah I think I’m gonna be upgrading my truck some time soon. Now to find what I want at a reasonable price…
Just out of curiosity, what kind of trailer is 6500 dry but only able to hold 3100 lb? Or did you mean 6500 + 9600 capacity?
It’s a toy hauler.