2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Towing Capacity: Up to 36,000 Pounds

The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD has a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 lb with a gooseneck trailer. That rating applies to a specific pickup: a Regular Cab, long-bed, 2WD, dual-rear-wheel (DRW) truck with the 6.6L Duramax diesel, Max Trailering Package and appropriate gooseneck equipment. It is not the rating for every 3500HD.

The maximum is 35,500 lb with a fifth-wheel hitch and 20,000 lb with a conventional hitch. All towing figures refer to the loaded trailer, including its cargo. Chevrolet’s 2025 Trailering Guide lists ratings by engine, cab, bed, drivetrain and rear-wheel configuration.

2025 Silverado 3500HD maximum towing figures

Configuration category	Conventional hitch	Gooseneck/5th-wheel
6.6L gas, SRW	Up to 16,000 lb	Up to 19,080 lb
6.6L gas, DRW	Up to 18,700 lb	Up to 18,760 lb
6.6L Duramax diesel, SRW	Up to 20,000 lb*	Up to 22,430 lb
6.6L Duramax diesel, DRW	Up to 20,000 lb	36,000 lb gooseneck; 35,500 lb fifth-wheel

*The diesel Regular Cab SRW is an exception: Chevrolet lists 14,500 lb of conventional capacity for both 2WD and 4x4 versions. Other diesel SRW cab configurations reach 20,000 lb.

These are category maxima, not universal ratings. Chevrolet’s condensed 3500HD towing chart shows substantial variation among trucks with the same engine.

Which setup reaches 36,000 pounds?

The 36,000-pound maximum requires:

• Regular Cab
• Long bed
• 2WD
• Dual rear wheels
• 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8
• Max Trailering Package
• A properly installed, suitably rated gooseneck hitch

Chevrolet assigns that configuration a 43,900-lb GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating). With a fifth-wheel hitch, the published maximum is 35,500 lb, with a 43,500-lb GCWR.

Changing one part of the configuration can reduce capacity considerably. The official guide rates a Duramax Crew Cab long-bed 4x4 DRW at 31,000 lb for gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing. The Crew Cab long-bed 2WD DRW reaches 31,440 lb, while the Crew Cab long-bed 2WD SRW reaches 22,070 lb.

For buyers who need Crew Cab passenger space, those figures are more relevant than the Regular Cab headline number. Buyers comparing the lighter HD series can also see the 2025 Chevy 2500 towing-capacity guide.

Gas versus Duramax towing capacity

The 6.6L gasoline V8 reaches 18,700 lb conventionally and 19,080 lb with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel. The 19,080-lb rating belongs to a Regular Cab, long-bed, 2WD SRW truck; the 18,700-lb conventional maximum belongs to a Regular Cab, long-bed, 2WD DRW.

The Duramax is required for ratings above those gas-engine ceilings. DRW is also required to obtain a trailer-weight rating above the diesel SRW maximum of 22,430 lb.

Check the labels before towing

Do not assign a truck the 36,000-lb rating from its 3500HD badge or diesel engine alone. Check the Trailering Information Label on the doorframe for the truck-specific GCWR and maximum trailer-weight rating. Check the certification label on the driver door or doorframe for GVWR and Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR). Chevrolet notes that passengers, cargo, equipment and accessories can reduce the trailer weight the truck can handle.

The loaded combination must remain within every applicable limit, including:

• Maximum trailer weight rating
• GCWR
• GVWR
• RGAWR
• Maximum tongue or kingpin load
• Hitch and trailer ratings

Chevrolet calls for conventional tongue weight generally equal to 10%–15% of loaded trailer weight and gooseneck/fifth-wheel kingpin weight equal to 15%–25%. The trailer manufacturer’s specified value takes precedence where it differs. Tongue or kingpin weight loads the truck and must not push it over GVWR, RGAWR or its maximum tongue-load rating. Passengers, tools, auxiliary tanks, bed cargo and hitch hardware use some of the same carrying capacity.

For the final check, weigh the truck and trailer fully loaded as they will travel, obtaining individual axle and combined weights. A trailer can be below the published towing maximum while still putting the truck over GVWR, RGAWR, GCWR or its label-listed tongue-load limit.