Contact Us
Contact Us
Blog > Which 2026 Chevrolet Vehicles Can Tow Over 3,500 Pounds?

Which 2026 Chevrolet Vehicles Can Tow Over 3,500 Pounds?

Black pickup truck towing a trailer on a scenic mountain road under a clear blue sky.

If you need a Chevrolet that clears the 3,500-pound threshold, you have more options than you might think — and the spread is wide. The Silverado 3500HD DRW can pull over 16,000 kg on a gooseneck. The Traverse clears 3,500 lbs with the trailering package. Here is the complete breakdown of every 2026 Chevrolet that qualifies, with verified figures for each.

2026 Chevrolet Towing Capacity — Full Lineup

ModelMax TowingConfiguration Required
Silverado 3500HD (DRW)16,330 kg (36,000 lbs)6.6L Duramax, gooseneck, DRW, Long Bed
Silverado 2500HD9,072 kg (20,000 lbs)6.6L Duramax + Max Trailering Package
Silverado 15006,033 kg (13,300 lbs)Duramax 3.0L + Max Trailering Package + 20″ wheels
Silverado EV (Trail Boss)5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)Extended Range battery + trailering package
Tahoe3,810 kg (8,400 lbs)5.3L EcoTec3 V8 + Max Trailering Package
Suburban3,765 kg (8,300 lbs)5.3L EcoTec3 V8 + Max Trailering Package
Colorado3,493 kg (7,700 lbs)TurboMax + Trailering Package + limited-slip diff
Traverse2,268 kg (5,000 lbs)Trailering Package (V92), AWD

Maximum trailering ratings for comparison purposes only. Actual capacity varies by cab configuration, bed length, drivetrain, and installed options. Review the Owner’s Manual and door jamb label for your specific vehicle.

All eight vehicles above clear 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). The Equinox ICE, Equinox EV, Trailblazer, and Trax are not rated for towing above 680 kg (1,500 lbs) and do not qualify.

Silverado 3500HD and 2500HD: Maximum Capacity

The Silverado 3500HD in Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) configuration with the 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 reaches 16,330 kg (36,000 lbs) of gooseneck towing capacity on Long Bed configurations — the highest in the Chevrolet lineup. For conventional hitch towing, the 3500HD reaches 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs). This is the truck for commercial equipment haulers, heavy agricultural trailers, and large fifth-wheel recreational vehicles.

The Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6L Duramax and Max Trailering Package reaches 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) of conventional towing. It handles fifth-wheel campers, enclosed car haulers, and heavy work trailers that exceed what a half-ton can safely manage. The standard 6.6L V8 gas engine covers most heavy-duty towing without the diesel maintenance schedule — buyers who tow frequently will find the Duramax the stronger choice for efficiency under sustained load.

Both HD trucks include an integrated trailer brake controller, Autotrac 2-speed transfer case, automatic locking rear differential, and the Gooseneck/5th Wheel Prep Package as an available option for fifth-wheel and gooseneck setups.

Silverado 1500: Up to 6,033 kg (13,300 lbs)

The Silverado 1500 reaches its maximum conventional towing figure of 6,033 kg (13,300 lbs) with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, Max Trailering Package, and 20-inch wheels on a Double Cab 2WD configuration. Four engine options are available — TurboMax 2.7L (310 hp, 430 lb-ft), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp), and the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel (305 hp, 495 lb-ft). Each engine reaches a different towing ceiling, so the right configuration depends on your trailer weight and how often you tow.

For Durham Region buyers who tow seasonally — a boat to Lake Simcoe, a camper trailer on long weekends, or a utility trailer for home renovation work — the 1500 handles those loads without the size and operating cost of a heavy-duty truck.

Silverado EV Trail Boss: 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)

The 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss with the Extended Range battery and trailering package reaches 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) of towing capacity. That clears most mid-size travel trailers, larger boats, and enclosed cargo trailers. The dual-motor electric drivetrain delivers instant torque from a standstill — no waiting for an engine to build power when merging onto the 401 with a loaded trailer behind you.

Range drops when towing — plan charging stops accordingly. The Extended Range battery is rated at up to 660 km unladen; expect a meaningful reduction under trailer load at highway speeds. The Silverado EV supports DC fast charging at up to 300 kW on the Extended Range pack, making longer towing trips practical with route planning.

Tahoe and Suburban: Full-Size SUV Towing with Three-Row Seating

The Tahoe reaches 3,810 kg (8,400 lbs) with the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 and Max Trailering Package on a 2WD configuration. The Suburban reaches 3,765 kg (8,300 lbs) under the same conditions. Both figures cover recreational towing scenarios that matter to Ontario families — a mid-size travel trailer, a large boat package, or a dual-axle utility trailer — while carrying up to nine passengers and their gear.

The Suburban’s longer wheelbase adds cargo space behind the third row, useful when you’re towing a camper and still need room for luggage and equipment inside the vehicle. The Tahoe is shorter and easier to manoeuvre in tighter spaces while maintaining comparable towing performance.

Both are available with three powertrain options: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8, 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, and the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel. The Duramax option adds towing efficiency on the long highway runs between Whitby, cottage country, and back.

Colorado: 3,493 kg (7,700 lbs) in a Mid-Size Package

The Colorado with the TurboMax 4-cylinder engine, Trailering Package, and limited-slip differential reaches 3,493 kg (7,700 lbs) of towing capacity — more than the Traverse and within reach of the Tahoe’s rating, in a truck that’s noticeably smaller and easier to park on Whitby’s residential streets.

The Colorado is the right choice for buyers who want genuine towing capability without a full-size footprint. It handles utility trailers, smaller boats, and light recreational equipment. The 2.7L TurboMax engine covers most towing needs; a diesel option is available for buyers who want additional torque and efficiency under sustained load.

Traverse: 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) with the Trailering Package

The Traverse with the Trailering Package (V92) and AWD configuration tows up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) — enough for a personal watercraft, a small travel trailer, or a loaded utility trailer. It runs a 2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder producing 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque across all three trims. There is no V6 in the 2026 Traverse lineup.

The Traverse is the right answer for buyers who need a three-row family SUV that can also handle occasional towing duty without parking a full-size truck in the driveway year-round.

Practical Towing Considerations for Ontario Drivers

Towing capacity is a maximum rating, not a daily operating weight. Your actual available towing capacity depends on cab configuration, bed length, drivetrain, installed options, and how much you’re carrying inside the vehicle. Load your truck with four passengers and gear before you hitch a trailer and you’ve already reduced your available capacity.

In Ontario, any trailer over 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs) requires its own braking system. Verify your trailer is equipped and that your vehicle has a compatible trailer brake controller before heading onto the 401 or Highway 115 with a loaded trailer attached.

For winter towing on Ontario highways — which Whitby drivers know well — trailer sway control, integrated brake controllers, and extended side mirrors are the equipment that matters most. All eight vehicles above include trailer sway control as standard; verify the trailering package content for the specific trim you’re considering.

Find the Right Towing Vehicle at Nurse Chevrolet in Whitby

The right vehicle depends on your trailer weight, how often you tow, and what the vehicle needs to do the rest of the week. Stop by Nurse Chevrolet in Whitby to compare the Silverado 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse, and Colorado in person — and confirm the exact towing rating for the specific configuration you’re considering before you hitch anything up.