Chevrolet Towing FAQ and Tips

If you’re planning to tow heavy loads with your Chevrolet truck, it’s a good idea to learn some towing tips before you start hitching up. This is especially important if you’re going to be towing a trailer on a long drive outside Clarksville, Maryland. The following is a list of questions and answers that can help you tow more effectively and safely with a Chevrolet truck. 

How Much Weight Can I Tow With My Chevrolet Truck?

Before you start loading cargo onto your trailer or hitching up a boat, it’s essential to know the towing capacity of your Chevrolet truck. Even if your vehicle has a powerful engine, towing too much weight can lead to a variety of problems that increase your risk of accidents. Below are the maximum towing capacities of several Chevrolet truck models:

• 2021 Chevy Colorado: 7,700 pounds.
• 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500: 13,300 pounds.
• 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500: 18,510 pounds.
• 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500: 36,000 pounds.

It’s important to note that the towing capacity of a Chevrolet truck model can vary depending on its trim level, engine, and towing equipment. Check your owner’s manual to find out exactly how much weight your particular Chevy model can tow.

How Should I Distribute Weight Across the Trailer?

The way you place cargo on your trailer can have an impact on your towing job. The best thing to do is to load the heaviest cargo first and then tie it down with bungee cords or ropes to prevent it from shifting when your vehicle is moving. Lighter and smaller cargo should be placed toward the rear of the trailer or in-between spaces. 

Keep the center of gravity of the cargo low by putting about 60 percent of its weight close to the front. Also, you have to make sure the sides of the trailer are balanced so that you can minimize the likelihood of it flipping. Proper weight distribution on a trailer can help prevent trailer sway, making towing smoother and safer. 

How Do I Choose the Right Trailer Hitch?

Using the right trailer hitch can improve the handling, cornering, and braking prowess of your truck. Depending on which Chevrolet truck model you own, you may have a standard trailer hitch or the option to choose your preferred hitch. The following are the hitch types available on Chevy trucks:

• Weight-carrying hitch: Commonly used for towing light or medium loads, a weight-carrying hitch has a hitch ball attached to a drawbar or step-bumper. It comes in a variety of sizes to suit different Chevy truck models. 
• Weight-distributing hitch: A weight-distributing hitch is usually used for medium to heavy trailering. To distribute the trailer load, this hitch type uses spring bars to move some of the hitch weight either forward onto the front axle or rearward onto the rear axle.
• Fifth-wheel hitch and gooseneck hitch: These hitches are designed for the heaviest trailering. Located in the truck’s bed, they position the kingpin weight of the trailer above or slightly in front of the rear axle. They’re strong enough for towing large trailers such as travel trailers and horse trailers. 

Does Chevrolet Offer Additional Towing Features?

Most Chevrolet trucks have an array of standard and optional features for enhanced towing performance and safety. For example, the Silverado comes standard with the Heavy-Duty Trailering Equipment Package that significantly increases its towing capacity. This package is available as an option on several other Chevy models. There’s also the Z82 Package that includes a trailer hitch platform and other towing features. 

You also have the option of getting a wiring harness, which allows you to connect your trailer’s turn signals, brake lights, and other electrical components to your vehicle. The Chevy Silverado has a seven-pin wiring harness for streamlined hookups of trailer lights and brakes.

In addition, Chevrolet offers trailer brakes for improved safety while towing. These brakes are required if you’re towing a trailer weight of more than 2,000 pounds with a Chevy Silverado or over 1,000 pounds with a Chevy Colorado. Trailer surge brakes are usually used for towing boat trailers, while electric brakes are often found on travel trailers, car haulers, and horse trailers. The Silverado also comes with an optional integrated trailer brake controller that enables the trailer’s brakes to work simultaneously with its brakes. 

Should I Invest in Extended Side-View Mirrors?

Regular side-view mirrors only help you see vehicles in the lanes next to yours. In contrast, extended side-view mirrors allow you to keep an eye on both side- and rear-approaching traffic. Usually bigger than normal side-view mirrors, these mirrors are necessary if you’re towing a trailer that entirely blocks your rearview. 

How Do I Prevent Overheating When Towing a Heavy Load?

The more weight your Chevy truck is towing, the harder its powertrain has to work. Towing a heavy load causes more heat to be generated under the hood, which can put extra strain on the transmission and cause it to wear out faster. Installing a transmission cooler will significantly lower the temperature of the fluid circulating through the transmission. You can also reduce the likelihood of overheating by adding a cooling fan or a higher-capacity radiator.  

How Do I Improve My Trailering Skills?

Practicing driving with a trailer is the best way to ensure safe towing. Go to an empty parking lot or any area with no traffic and perform basic driving tasks with your trailer hitched up. Try reversing and using your extended mirrors to look behind the trailer. Also, pay close attention to the turning radius of your truck. Then, practice accelerating and braking slowly on a long stretch of road. Bear in mind that the more weight you’re pulling, the longer it takes to stop your vehicle. 

Improper towing not only jeopardizes you and your passengers’ safety, but it can also put other motorists at risk. If you need more tips on towing with a Chevrolet truck, don’t hesitate to speak with the helpful staff at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC. Contact us any time during our business hours. 

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Tags: 2021 Colorado, Chevy Silverado 1500, Towing
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