Free Shipping on orders over $100
Updated on Aug 21, 2023
With Summer in full effect, it’s time to break out the travel trailers, boats, and flat decks for all your scheduled camping, boating, and wheeling adventures! However, if you’ve recently upgraded to a larger trailer setup or watercraft, it’s essential to prepare your Silverado 2500 for the miles of fun that lie ahead!
In this article, we’re covering everything you must know about towing heavy in your Silverado 2500, namely the topic of towing capacity and our expert’s top-recommend products to improve your Silverado 2500’s towing performance. So buckle up and read on to ensure stable, controlled, and issue-free towing!
Before discussing our expert-curated products, accessories, and modifications to improve your Silverado 2500’s towing performance, we need a general understanding of the term towing capacity, including what it means and the factors it's determined by.
A vehicle’s towing capacity refers to the maximum weight it can safely tow, as directed by the manufacturer, in this case, the engineers at Chevrolet. Manufacturers often express towing capacity with two values: 5th wheel/gooseneck towing capacity, in which the hitch is located inside the bed, and conventional towing capacity, in which your trailer mounts to a conventional hitch receiver below the rear bumper.
Chevy, among other manufacturers, utilizes several metrics to determine a vehicle’s towing capacity, including:
Engine configuration
Power output
Axle gear ratio
Cab configuration (regular, extended, or crew)
Bed configuration (short box or long box)
Drive configuration (2WD or 4WD)
Transmission type (automatic or manual)
Towing capacity varies significantly depending on the year and the factors outlined above. To determine your particular Silverado’s towing capacity, locate the Safety Compliance Certification Label, typically adhered to the driver’s-side door jamb. This label often features critical information like your Silverado’s towing capacity; however, if not, you can always find the value in the owner’s manual.
Never, under any circumstances, is it safe or legal to exceed the towing capacity outlined by the manufacturer. Towing capacity isn’t just based on your Silverado’s powertrain and physical ability to tow heavy loads, but on doing so safely; remember, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Towing loads above your Silverado’s towing capacity isn’t just ill-advised, but dangerous, typically resulting in poor stability, reduced braking performance, excessive stopping distances, and other driveability issues that can cause significant mechanical damage to your vehicle or injury to yourself and other drivers on the road.
With a firm grasp of towing capacity, let’s get into the products to improve your Silverado 2500’s towing performance!
This section includes the physical components used to secure a trailer to your Silverado, including hitches and ball mounts.
If you plan to tow a bulky gooseneck or oversized 5th wheel, you’ll need a rugged hitch to match; introducing the B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch: the #1 selling gooseneck hitch in America! B&W is a long-time provider of heavy-duty hitches, renowned for producing the finest quality 5th wheel, gooseneck, and conventional hitch receivers. The B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch is no exception, featuring a rugged steel construction, a corrosion-resistant powder coat finish, and a solid, one-piece machined receiver socket for superior strength.
The B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch features a vehicle-specific fitment, mounting to existing holes in the frame for an easy installation. This product requires you to drill only a single 4-inch hole in the frame for the hitch ball; when the trailer’s back in storage, simply remove the hitch ball and enjoy access to your Silverado’s entire bed floor!
This product is manufactured right here in the USA and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring top-tier manufacturing and a lifetime of reliable service.
Features:
The #1 selling gooseneck hitch in America
Custom-fit for your Silverado
A hitch when you need it, a level bed when you don’t
Solid, one-piece machined receiver socket
Durable powder-coat finish
Includes a solid, machined 2 5/16" ball
Bolts to existing holes in the frame
Requires only a 4” hole in the bed
Flexible latch pin handle attached to a spring-loaded 5/8” steel locking pin
Options available include B&W Gooseneck Balls, Extenders, Eyelets, Kingpins, Helpers & Plugs.
Exclusive 5th wheel add-on: B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch
Compatible with spray-in bed liners
SAE-J2638 certified
USA-made
Limited lifetime warranty
The B&W MultiPro Tow & Stow Ball Mount is the ultimate ball mount for your Silverado, especially current-generation models with the new Multi-Pro Tailgate. GM’s innovative modular tailgate design, while useful, poses an issue for tow-behind ball mounts. With the primary and inner gate lowered, some hitches aren’t properly clearanced to accommodate the inner gate, leading to contact with the tailgate and potential dings, dents, and scuffs!
Upon noticing the need for a GM-friendly adjustable ball mount, B&W engineered a MultiPro-friendly version of its popular Tow & Stow Ball Mount! This rugged, high-strength steel ball mount is built to last, featuring a corrosion-resistant powder coat finish and stainless steel pins. It’s available in 2-ball and 3-ball configurations, along with variable drops for different height suspension setups and tongue heights.
The B&W MultiPro Tow & Stow Ball Mount is manufactured right here in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring years of reliable service.
Features:
Designed to work with the GM MultiPro Tailgate
Machined cutout for tailgate clearance
Multiple ball sizes eliminate the need for multiple ball mounts
Available for 2” & 2.5” receivers
Available in 2.5” or 4” drop for 2” receivers & 7” drop for 2.5” receivers
Available in dual-ball & tri-ball combinations
Manufactured from high-strength steel
Durable black powder-coat finish
Easily stows while not in use which provides access to the step feature
Stainless steel pins
USA-made
Limited lifetime warranty
If you’ve recently upgraded your 5th wheel, be sure to step up your 5th wheel hitch to match with the Curt PowerRide 30K! This heavy-duty 5th wheel hitch is compatible with puck-style bed systems, as found in heavy-duty Silverados. With a substantial 30,000-pound gross trailer limit and 7,500-pound tongue limit, this hitch can handle far beyond the capabilities of most ¾-ton pickups, ensuring compatibility with your current trailer and any other trailer you purchase in the future.
The Curt PowerRide 30K 5th Wheel Hitch is manufactured in the USA and backed with a limited lifetime structural warranty.
Features:
Fits select Chevy, GMC, Dodge & Ford trucks with puck system
Rugged cast steel main body
Textured dark gray Teridium finish for lasting rust resistance
Ergonomic, self-resetting handle for easier use from the truck bed
Multi-directional, cast yoke head for smooth rider & less strain on the truck
Strategic grip points for ergonomic moving & handling
Patented interlocking jaws for full kingpin contact & coupling security
30,000 lb. gross trailer weight & 7,500 lb. tongue weight
4” height adjustment for greater versatility versus 3” options
No welding or fabrication is required for the installation
Includes hitch head & legs
Limited lifetime warranty (one-year for parts & finish)
In this section, we’re tackling the top accessories that significantly improve visibility, driveability, and safety while towing.
Visibility is critical when towing; if your Silverado is running factory paddle-style mirrors, consider upgrading to a set of Trail Ridge Towing Mirrors, offering exceptional visibility, a factory-style fit and finish, and a simple, plug-n-play installation!
Trail Ridge Towing Mirrors are available with various options, including manual or power adjustment, manual or power folding, and chrome or black mirror caps to complement your ride. Installation is quick and easy, as Trail Ridge mirrors feature factory-style mounting posts and connectors for a simple, bolt-on installation; no cutting or drilling is required.
Features:
Vehicle-specific fitment
Improved visibility & damage prevention
Direct bolt-on, plug-and-play installation
Manufactured from the highest quality materials that prevent rust & peeling
Heavy-duty construction meets or exceeds OEM standards
Rigorously tested to ensure superior fit, function, & durability
Constructed with galvanized or stainless-steel internal parts
Sold individually or in pairs
Power or manual glass, folding, & telescoping options
Huge variety of features & finishes to choose from
Option to upgrade your factory features on select vehicles
Hardware & wiring included, if applicable
DOT & SAE approved
2-year limited warranty
If you plan to tow a trailer heavier than 1,500 pounds, most states require integrated trailer brakes to reduce stopping distances and increase safety; however, you’ll need a quality trailer brake controller to interface with your trailer’s electronic braking system. That’s where the Curt Trailer Brake Controller comes into play–a high-quality, easy-to-use trailer brake controller with a plug-and-play connector.
We offer three select models–the Discovery, Triflex, and Venturer–ensuring flawless integration and braking performance in your Silverado.
Features:
Four models to choose from
Durably constructed to last
Choose from time-activated or inertial-activated braking
Inertia controllers are self-leveling and may be mounted up to 70°
Compatible with anti-lock brakes & cruise control
Backed by a lifetime warranty
Especially if you’re staying in a hotel overnight or leaving your trailer unattended, proper security is crucial to prevent the theft of your goods, tools, or even your entire trailer! Before your first outing, invest in the security of a locking hitch pin, like the Trimax Hitch Lock.
Trimax offers various lock styles and sizes, ensuring compatibility with your Silverado’s hitch. Each hitch lock features a theft-proof heavy-duty locking mechanism with a 7-pin security key, protective rubber cap and O-Ring to keep dirt and grime at bay, and two keys.
Trimax locks are tested to exceed forces over 32,000 pounds–well above your Silverado 2500’s towing capacity. The lock also features 5,800 pounds of head pull strength; let the average thief attempt to break that!
Features:
Heavy-duty locking mechanism
O-Ring keeps water, grime, and dirt out of the locking mechanism
Protective rubber cap protects keyhole from water, grime, and dirt
The patented dual lock lug design offers over 5,800 pounds of head pull strength.
Tested specifications exceed 32,000 pounds.
Strongest lock on the market
Includes 2 keys
Includes a 7-pin high-security key
Many finishes & styles are available
Limited lifetime warranty
This section features the top suspension upgrades to improve your Silverado 2500’s driveability and towing performance.
SuperSprings Solo SumoSprings bring the functionality of extensive airbag systems without the lengthy installation or risk of failure. These maintenance-free air springs utilize air trapped within micro-cellular urethane bumpers to dampen impacts and reduce spring sag, cushioning your Silverado’s ride and increasing stability with a trailer on the hitch.
SumoSprings come in three colors–blue, black, and yellow–each with a different density and recommended use. For a heavy-duty Silverado 2500, we’d recommend black -47 density or yellow -54, ideal for medium–heavy loads.
Features:
Sold as a pair
Maintenance-free
Enhances load-carrying ability
Reduces and stabilizes sway
Improves driver control and comfort
No leaking or rupturing
Made from micro-cellular urethane
USA-made
Limited 2-year warranty
Stabilize your Silverado 2500’s rear suspension with a pair of SuperSprings Suspension Stabilizers, offering increased driver control, reduced wheel hop, and maintenance and adjustment-free service. These suspension stabilizers only engage when your Silverado is loaded, ensuring a comfortable and compliant ride without cargo in the bed or a trailer on the hitch. When loaded down, the stabilizers engage, stiffening your rear suspension for far better stability.
Installation is quick and easy, requiring nothing more than tightening a few nuts and bolts per side; no cutting, drilling, or modifications are required.
Features:
Makes towing or hauling cargo safer
Reduces wheel hop & fish-tailing
Increases driver control
Never needs to be adjusted
Simple installation takes less than an hour for most vehicles
Sold in pairs
USA-made
Limited 5-year warranty (2-year in commercial applications)
ReadyAIR Load-Leveling Air Bag Kits are the next generation of airbag systems, featuring an auto-leveling, ride-frequency-maintaining design that auto-adjusts for maximum comfort, whether loaded or unloaded. Even with uneven loads and heavy trailers, ReadyAIR Load-Leveling Air Bags provide exceptional comfort and stability.
All ReadyAIR kits feature a convenient no-drill installation, including clamp-around vehicle-specific brackets; installation takes approximately half the time as conventional kits. Unconvinced? ReadyAIR airbags are backed by the confidence of a lifetime warranty; if it breaks, you’ll get a replacement!
So what are you waiting for? Order your ReadyAIR Load-Leveling Air Bag Kit to experience the next generation of load assistance!
Features:
High-endurance air springs
Maintains your factory ride quality
Offers enhanced stability with uneven loads
No drill, simple bolt-on installation
Lifetime warranty
Click below to view our towing review of The 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD:
RealTruck is your home for the best products to outfit your build for unforgettable adventures.
Interior Lights | Winches | Towing Suspension | Hitches and Towing
Join over 2 million RealTruck people
Get exclusive savings, insider information, and the latest RealTruck articles sent straight to your inbox.