The Chevy Silverado 2500 was introduced into Chevrolet’s lineup as a full-size heavy-duty pickup truck in 1999 and is still made today. The Silverado 2500 is one of the best-selling heavy duty trucks in the USA and has many features consumers expect from today’s trucks, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500?
A 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 has a towing capacity of 9,600 pounds to 15,800 pounds.
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s a bit more to know about the 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Tow?
The 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 has a maximum towing capacity of 15,800 pounds.
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
The max conventional towing of the 2008 Silverado 2500 is 13,000 pounds, while the max gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch towing is 15,800 pounds.
You can always reach out to your local Chevy dealership for details to confirm how much your Silverado 2500 can tow.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Engine And Drivetrain
There are two engine options for the 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500: a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 engine that produces 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.
2008 Silverado 2500 6.0L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 12,500 pounds
2008 Silverado 2500 Duramax Engine Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
The 2008 Silverado 2500HD is also offered in 2WD and 4×4 options, which also affects towing capacity.
2008 Silverado 2500 2WD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2008 Silverado 2500 4WD Towing Capacity: 15,500 pounds
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Towing Capacity Chart
The max tow cap of the 2008 Silverado 2500 varies by the cab configuration, bed length, trim level, wheel size, engine size, and installed towing equipment. Take a look at the charts below to determine yours.
Refer to this chart below specifically for the 2008 Silverado 2500 with the Gas 6.0L V8 engine:
Refer to the chart below specifically for the 2008 Silverado 2500 with the Duramax engine:
Note that when referring to the two above charts, the C-2500 is the 2WD model and the K-2500 is the 4WD model.
2008 Silverado 2500 Towing Capacity By Trim Level
There are nine total trim levels for the 2008 Silverado 2500, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2008 Silverado 2500:
2008 Silverado 2500 HD WT: 15,800 pounds
2008 Silverado 2500 HD LT: 15,800 pounds
2008 Silverado 2500 HD LTZ: 15,300 pounds
2008 Silverado 2500 HD Z71: 15,800 pounds (varies by configuration)
Note that these max capacities by trim level are based on the vehicle configuration including the drivetrain, engine option, box length, and cab style.
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Payload Capacity
The payload capacity of the 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 is 3,194 pounds to 3,892 pounds.
Please note, the payload capacity will vary based on factors such as engine type, drivetrain and whether or not your vehicle is equipped with a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler.
2008 Silverado 2500 WT Max Payload: 3,892 lbs (when equipped with 2WD, Long Box, and Regular Cab)
2008 Silverado 2500 LT Max Payload: 3,892 lbs (when equipped with 2WD, Long Box, and Regular Cab)
2008 Silverado 2500 LTZ Max Payload: 3,604 lbs (when equipped with 2WD, Extended Cab, and Standard Box)
If you are unsure of your vehicle’s payload capacity, please contact your local dealership for details.
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Tow Packages
The 2008 Silverado 2500 offers a range of towing features, with advanced technologies available depending on the trim level.
Standard Towing Features on the 2008 Silverado 2500HD:
- Tow/Haul Mode:
- Adjusts transmission shift points for better performance when towing or hauling heavy loads.
- Trailer Sway Control:
- Works with the StabiliTrak system to manage and control trailer sway by adjusting brakes and engine power.
- Hill Start Assist:
- Holds the vehicle stationary for a moment on inclines, preventing rollback when towing on steep grades.
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential:
- Enhances traction by sending power to the wheel with the most traction when driving on slippery or uneven terrain.
- Trailer Brake Controller:
- Integrated with the ABS system for smoother braking while towing heavy loads.
- StabiliTrak:
- Electronic stability control system with trailer sway control and hill start assist.
Available Towing Packages:
- Trailering Package (Standard on most models):
- Includes a 2.5-inch receiver hitch with a 2-inch adapter.
- 7-wire harness with a 7-way sealed connector.
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a maximum towing capacity of 15,800 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2008 Ford F-250 and the 2008 Ram 2500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Chevy Silverado 2500 and their towing capacities below:
2008 Ford F250 Towing Capacity: 16,500 pounds
2008 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: 15,500 pounds
2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2008 Chevy Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2008 Chevy Silverado 3500 | 16,500 lbs |
| 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 | 15,800 lbs |
| 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 | 10,500 lbs |
| 2008 Chevy Colorado | 6,000 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Owner’s Manual on Chevy’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Chevy Silverado 2500.