Towing with small payload

GM recommends 10%-15% tongue weight for conventional bumper towing. With the Silverado EV being so heavy they are probably basing the towing capacity on 10% tongue weight. So that would be 1000 lbs tongue weight and enough left over for the driver and about 100 lbs of payload.

Only the fully loaded RST will have a 1300 lbs payload. Lower trims with less weight adding options (no air suspension, no rear steer etc) will have higher payload capacity.

For the 20k lbs towing version they will just use a more heavy duty suspension like with their HD pickups for a higher payload capacity.

Side Note: The WT's lower 8000 lbs towing and 1200 lbs payload is most likely to keep the GVWR under 10k lbs for commercial regulation reasons.

The Rivian R1T is sort of like this and tows just fine. Check out this test that was recently done while towing 9k pounds:

I'll add that per the information my dealership just sent me this morning, the WT is now pegged at 1,000 lbs. of payload and 10,000 lbs. of towing. I had been seeing 1,200/8,000 passed around until today. Seems like the new numbers will make it even harder to reach max towing capacity.

Logic would dictate that the WT should have the highest payload and towing. That's how all ICE trucks are, and that's what fleet managers care about. Odd that it's the opposite on EV.

WXman said:

I'll add that per the information my dealership just sent me this morning, the WT is now pegged at 1,000 lbs. of payload and 10,000 lbs. of towing. I had been seeing 1,200/8,000 passed around until today. Seems like the new numbers will make it even harder to reach max towing capacity.

Logic would dictate that the WT should have the highest payload and towing. That's how all ICE trucks are, and that's what fleet managers care about. Odd that it's the opposite on EV.

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Is that on an official document from GM? Can you post a copy of that?

14,000 pounds of towing for the RST is also new information. I would question those amounts. That is pretty major news for something GM hasn't officially announced.

I'm scheduled to drive down to the dealership tomorrow for more information in person. I'll see if they have any GM published materials showing these numbers.

Well I still haven't been able to get any more info or clarification from my dealership. They have a Silverado EV person who is a dedicated EV sales member. He's my contact, but no new news so far.

I did see where TFL tested a F-150 Lightning with the extended range battery towing a 6,000 lb. camper and they got like 85ish miles on a charge I think. Miserable. So realistically the idea of towing 10,000 lbs. with a Silverado EV is likely going to be around town ONLY, and towing 20,000 lbs. with it will be a magic trick that I'm dying to see.

No point in checking in with the dealer. The dealer is going to get new information the same time as everyone else.

I think you have to imagine 1/3 to 1/2 range mostly based on pushing highway speeds or driving 55. Plan accordingly. Otherwise it seems the lightning tows confidently, let’s hope the Silverado is as good.