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 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500?
A 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 has a towing capacity of 13,000 pounds to 18,100 pounds.
The 2016 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 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Tow?
The 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 has a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds.
The 2016 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 2016 Silverado 2500 is 14,500 pounds, while the max gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch towing is 18,100 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.
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Engine And Drivetrain
There are two engine options for the 2016 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 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque.
2016 Silverado 2500 6.0L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 14,800 pounds
2016 Silverado 2500 Duramax Engine Towing Capacity: 18,100 pounds
The 2016 Silverado 2500HD is also offered in 2WD and 4×4 options, which also affects towing capacity.
2016 Silverado 2500 2WD Towing Capacity: 18,100
2016 Silverado 2500 4×4 Towing Capacity: 15,900
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Towing Capacity Chart
The max tow cap of the 2016 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.
2016 Silverado 2500 Towing Capacity By Trim Level
There are nine total trim levels for the 2016 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 2016 Silverado 2500:
2016 Silverado 2500 HD WT: 18,100 pounds
2016 Silverado 2500 HD LT: 18,100 pounds
2016 Silverado 2500 HD LTZ: 16,900 pounds
2016 Silverado 2500 HD High Country: 15,800 pounds
Note that these max capacities by trim level are based on the vehicle configuration with a 2WD drivetrain, the Duramax engine, and using a gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch.
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Payload Capacity
The payload capacity of the 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 is 2,356 pounds to 3,534 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.
2016 Silverado 2500 WT Max Payload: 3,534 lbs (when equipped with the Vortec V8 engine, 2WD, and Regular Cab)
2016 Silverado 2500 LT Max Payload: 3,534 lbs (when equipped with the Vortec V8 engine, 2WD, and Regular Cab)
2016 Silverado 2500 LTZ Max Payload: 3,276 lbs (when equipped with 2WD, Vortec V8 engine, Double Cab, and Long Box)
2016 Silverado 2500 High Country Max Payload: 3,182 lbs (when equipped with 2WD, Vortec V8 engine, and Long Box)
If you are unsure of your vehicle’s payload capacity, please contact your local dealership for details.
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Tow Packages
The 2016 Silverado 2500 offers a range of towing features, with advanced technologies available depending on the trim level.
Standard Towing Features:
- Trailering Equipment Package: Includes a 2.5-inch receiver with a 2-inch insert, a 7-wire harness, and a sealed connector for use with trailers.
- Vertical Trailering Mirrors: Standard across most trims with manual-folding, extending capabilities and spotter glass.
- StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist: Helps maintain stability when towing large loads.
- Tow/Haul Mode and Auto Grade Braking: Standard, improving performance while towing on slopes.
- Rear Vision Camera: Standard, with dynamic guiding lines to assist with hitch alignment.
- Integrated BedSteps: Provide easy access to the bed, even when towing.
Advanced Towing Features:
- Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package: Available on all cab configurations, this package includes a hitch platform to accept a gooseneck or fifth-wheel ball hitch, drilled holes in the bed with caps, and a box-mounted trailer harness.
- Digital Steering Assist: Available on Crew Cab and 4-door Double Cab diesel models, providing improved handling and stability.
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller: Standard on the 3500HD, available on the 2500HD, offering easy in-dash control of trailer brakes.
2016 Silverado HD Advanced Trailering System
Advanced Trailering Package: Features like the trailering camera system from EchoMaster, available through Chevrolet Accessories, offer enhanced visibility, helping eliminate blind spots, and ease hitch alignment while backing up.
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a maximum towing capacity of 18,100 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2016 Ford F-250 and the 2016 Ram 2500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Chevy Silverado 2500 and their towing capacities below:
2016 Ford F250 Towing Capacity: 16,600 pounds
2016 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: 17,980 pounds
2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,400 pounds
2016 Chevy Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2016 Chevy Silverado 3500 | 23,300 lbs |
| 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 | 18,100 lbs |
| 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 | 12,000 lbs |
| 2016 Chevy Colorado | 7,700 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2016 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.