Could we still get by with our daily lives on horseback? Ultimately, no, but let’s think about this for a second. If you needed to pull something heavy, would one horse suffice? Unless we’re talking about a steroid-riddled horse, more is better. A horseback rider requires one horse, but a wagon regularly requires more.
The modern-day equivalent of the wagon is the pickup truck, and if you want to be the proverbial cowboy riding through town with twenty horses pulling your weight, then you’ll want something grandiose like the 2023 Chevy Silverado 2500HD.
For millennia, people have needed to transport cargo long distances. From the early days of humanity when we learned that circles were the superior shape for wheels, to horse wagons, and eventually to automobiles, getting items from point A to point B has been important for folks to get things done.
Today, I’ll be walking you through what people can expect the Chevy Silverado 2500HD to tow, and this towing guide is bound to help somebody. The Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a beastly machine capable of towing far more than 12,000 lbs, and the Silverado 2500HD stands tall with other popular automobiles on the market, like the Ford F-Series trucks, for example.
Why do I mention this? Somebody who takes home a Chevy Silverado 2500HD is probably looking to do towing of some kind. You wouldn’t get a V8 engine without either needing one—unless, understandably, if you simply wanted one. With all of that said, let’s begin with a comprehensive towing guide for the Chevy Silverado 2500HD.
Impressive Base Performance
Drivers won’t have to worry too much about finding themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Choosing your engine for the Chevy Silverado 2500HD is as simple as can be, and while there may be a handful of trim levels and an assortment of packages and special editions, the Silverado is available with one of two engines. The standard engine for the 2023 base model is the same as the past few years, which is a 6.6-L V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. As the base engine of a heavy-duty pickup truck, the 6.6-L V8 engine needs to impress drivers—and impress it does.
With such a robust engine, the pickup truck will output a dependable 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The 6.6-L V8 engine has been part of the Silverado 2500HD for some time, so those who own a Silverado 2500HD might be familiar with it. Because of the V8 engine, this base Silverado has a maximum towing capacity of 17,370 lbs, but you’ll want a Class V hitch to utilize the truck for its full towing prowess.
The Silverado 2500HD also works great with the gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers, and drivers have the option to opt for the proper wiring to accommodate both of these types of cargo, and also campers. However, with a towing capacity of 17,370 lbs, this Silverado is the perfect stepping stone for those looking for a heavy-duty truck for work—without breaking the bank like you would with a 3500HD. Sure, the 3500HD is much stronger than the 2500HD with its incredible towing capacity, but it has a price tag to match.
The base engine not only impresses with its towing capacity, but its payload capacity is also quite impressive. Firstly, the Silverado 2500HD holds a GVWR of 10,000 lbs, which is plenty for the base model. Of course, the next engine I’ll mention certainly outperforms it, but you’ll soon see why.
The 6.6-L V8 engine also sports a payload capacity of 3,979 lbs, so drivers can guarantee they can hold heavy cargo in tandem with towing. Overall, it’s an impressive showing for the affordable base engine. How does the next engine fare?
A Powerful Diesel Engine
Like any pickup truck worth its salt, the 2023 Silverado 2500HD offers the available turbodiesel 6.6-L V8 engine from years past. The turbodiesel engine comes paired with a punchy yet smooth 10-speed automatic transmission—a far cry from the 6-speed automatic transmission that came standard with the base engine. With the turbodiesel engine, we not only see an increase in horsepower, and especially torque, but we also see an improved towing capacity and GVWR. However, the payload capacity isn’t as high as that of the base 6.6-L V8 engine, but it doesn’t fall too far behind.
If you purchase a Silverado 2500HD complete with the turbodiesel 6.6-L V8 engine, the truck will output 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the base engine, the turbodiesel powertrain offers up an incredible 96% extra torque output, and also an 11% increase in horsepower. Expectedly, an increase in the torque output means superior towing. Using the turbodiesel V8 engine in the Silverado 2500HD means drivers will tow a maximum of 18,510 lbs; this is over 1,000 lbs more than the base engine.
As for the payload capacity, it gets a slight reduction to 3,715 lbs. In real-world usage, this shouldn’t be an issue, especially with the trade-off that is the improved towing capacity.
Ultimately, the difference comes down to a contrast of over 1,000 lbs for towing, yet the payload capacity loses a few hundred lbs. Additionally, the GVWR for the turbodiesel engine sits at 11,350 lbs, which is 1,350 lbs more than the base engine can do.
Does a turbodiesel engine make enough changes to warrant an engine swap? Yes, I think so. Will the 2023 Silverado 2500HD do everything the Silverado 3500HD does? No, but it does far more than the Silverado 1500HD, and it properly deserves its moniker as a heavy-duty pickup truck. However, another advantage of turbodiesel engines is fuel efficiency, which makes them a popular choice when combined with their impressive towing ratings.
What Will You Tow Next?
The thing about towing with a pickup truck is that you can do so for business or leisure. You likely see somebody hauling something work-related every day, whether it’s a landscaper transporting their tools or even a tow truck rescuing a broken-down vehicle. However, you may also see people towing recreational equipment like a boat, jet skis, or a camper.
While entry-level pickup trucks can accommodate both types of towing, it’s smart to purchase something with the extra grunt to be ready for anything. With the Silverado 2500HD, drivers won’t have to wonder if their pickup truck will do the task at hand. Rather, the question becomes,“When will this get done?” instead of, “How will this get done?” With the latest Silverado 2500HD, drivers can work hard but also enjoy the freedom of owning such a powerful pickup truck—one that can tow more than most other competing pickup trucks on the market.
Towing is made easy with Chevy, and because Chevy is synonymous with quality and generally powerful engines, the Silverado 2500HD can truly shine. The 2500HD is a worthwhile pickup truck, and the 2023 model exemplifies this by retaining the performance we’ve grown to love and expect from one of Chevy’s titular pickup trucks. Heavy-duty trucks are one of humanity’s greatest achievements, and we’re getting more done than ever before because of manufacturers like Chevy.
