Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Years covered
- 1999–2023
- Configurations
- 924
- Observed tow range
- 3,800 – 12,000 lbs
- Payload range
- 1,208 – 2,543 lbs
- Peak payload
- 2,543 lbs in 2019
Home · Compare · Silverado 1500 vs 1500
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs RAM 1500 Towing Capacity
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has the higher peak towing rating represented in our dataset
Silverado 1500
Highest rating represented in our dataset
12,000 lbs1500
Highest rating represented in our dataset
11,500 lbsDifference
Peak ratings in dataset
+500 lbsChevrolet Silverado 1500 has the higher peak rating in 8 of 11 shared model years; RAM 1500 leads in 3.
Across the model years represented in our database, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reaches a higher peak towing rating (12,000 lbs vs 11,500 lbs, difference 500 lbs). In shared model years with data, Silverado 1500 leads in 8 and 1500 leads in 3. The exact difference depends heavily on model year and configuration.
RAM 1500
- Years covered
- 2012–2022
- Configurations
- 319
- Observed tow range
- 3,450 – 11,500 lbs
- Payload range
- 1,050 – 3,125 lbs
- Peak towing
- 11,500 lbs in 2012 (2012)
- Peak payload
- 3,125 lbs in 2012
At a glance
Maximum towing represented
Silverado 150012,000 lbs
150011,500 lbs
Silverado 1500 wins
Peak towing advantage
Silverado 1500+500 lbs
1500—
Silverado 1500 wins
Maximum payload (validated)
Silverado 15002,543 lbs
15003,125 lbs
1500 wins
Observed towing range
Silverado 15003,800 lbs – 12,000 lbs
15003,450 lbs – 11,500 lbs
Years covered
Silverado 15001999–2023
15002012–2022
Configurations available
Silverado 1500924
1500319
Peak towing years
Silverado 150012,000 lbs in 2016, 2017
150011,500 lbs in 2012
Peak payload years
Silverado 15002,543 lbs in 2019
15003,125 lbs in 2012
Silverado 1500
VS1500
Which one works for your trailer?
Searching configurations for the selected years (2016 Silverado 1500 vs 2016 1500). Clear years in the bar above to search the full model history.
Compare specific model years
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2016 RAM 1500
Decision metrics
Peak towing represented
Silverado 150012,000 lbs
15008,210 lbs
Silverado 1500: -3,790 lbs / -31.6%
Peak payload
Silverado 15001,960 lbs
15001,950 lbs
Silverado 1500: -10 lbs / -0.5%
Minimum towing represented
Silverado 15006,000 lbs
15004,450 lbs
Silverado 1500: -1,550 lbs / -25.8%
Minimum payload
Silverado 15001,710 lbs
15001,610 lbs
Silverado 1500: -100 lbs / -5.8%
Silverado 1500
- GVWR range
- 7 – 7,200 lbs
- Curb weight range
- 4,517 – 5,333 lbs
- GCWR
- Not available in our dataset
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Crew Cab, Double Cab, Regular Cab
- Bed lengths
- 5.75 ft, 6.5 ft, 6.6 ft, 8 ft
- Axle ratios
- 3.08, 3.23, 3.42
- Engines
- 4.3 liters V-6, 5.3 liters V-8
- Configuration count
- 47
1500
- GVWR range
- 6,800 – 6,945 lbs
- Curb weight range
- 4,852 – 5,337 lbs
- GCWR
- 9,850 – 13,800 lbs
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Quad Cab
- Bed lengths
- Not available in our dataset
- Axle ratios
- 3.21, 3.55
- Engines
- Not available in our dataset
- Configuration count
- 7
Data coverage
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2016: 47 configurations
RAM 1500 2016: 7 configurations
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
Compare towing capacity by year
Maximum observed towing capacity per model year in our dataset. Click a year to select it for detailed comparison.
Silverado 15001500
Silverado 1500 vs 1500 by year
Every year where either model has data. Missing values are not treated as zero.
| Year | Silverado 1500 max tow | 1500 max tow | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2022 | 11,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -3,000 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2021 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs 1500 | 1500 |
| 2017 | 12,000 lbs | 7,920 lbs | -4,080 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2016 | 12,000 lbs | 8,210 lbs | -3,790 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2015 | 9,400 lbs | 9,180 lbs | -220 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2014 | 9,800 lbs | 8,750 lbs | -1,050 lbs Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 |
| 2013 | 7,000 lbs | 8,950 lbs | +1,950 lbs 1500 | 1500 |
| 2012 | 7,000 lbs | 11,500 lbs | +4,500 lbs 1500 | 1500 |
| 2011 | 7,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 7,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 7,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 7,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 7,700 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 7,800 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 9,100 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9,100 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 9,200 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 9,400 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 9,400 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
Payload capacity by model year
Maximum observed payload for both models across years. Higher tow rating is not always the only relevant choice.
Silverado 15001500
Best towing configurations
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- High Country5.3 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.08Max towing 12,000 lbs · Payload 1,840 lbs
- High Country5.3 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Crew Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.42Max towing 11,000 lbs · Payload 1,710 lbs
- High Country5.3 liters V-8 · 4x4 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.42Max towing 11,000 lbs · Payload 1,770 lbs
- LTZ w/1LZ4x2 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.42Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,840 lbs
- LTZ w/1LZ4x2 · Crew Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.08Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,710 lbs
2016 RAM 1500
- Sport4x2 · Quad Cab · 3.21Max towing 8,210 lbs · Payload 1,680 lbs
- HFE4x2 · Quad Cab · 3.55Max towing 7,950 lbs · Payload 1,610 lbs
- Tradesman/Express4x2 · Quad Cab · 3.21Max towing 4,680 lbs · Payload 1,950 lbs
- SLT4x2 · Quad Cab · 3.21Max towing 4,620 lbs · Payload 1,900 lbs
- Tradesman/Express4x4 · Quad Cab · 3.21Max towing 4,490 lbs · Payload 1,760 lbs
Compare exact configurations
Change vehicle — open the comparison builder to pick a different pair.
Where each model has the advantage
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Higher maximum towing in: 8 of 11 comparable years
Show years
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Higher payload in: 5 of 9 comparable years
Show years
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
RAM 1500
- Higher maximum towing in: 3 of 11 comparable years
Show years
2012, 2013, 2018
- Higher payload in: 4 of 9 comparable years
Show years
2012, 2020, 2021, 2022
Years where these models are closest
Shared years with the smallest absolute difference in maximum towing ratings.
| Year | Silverado 1500 | 1500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 9,400 lbs | 9,180 lbs | -220 lbs |
| 2021 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs |
| 2014 | 9,800 lbs | 8,750 lbs | -1,050 lbs |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs |
| 2013 | 7,000 lbs | 8,950 lbs | +1,950 lbs |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2022 | 11,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -3,000 lbs |
Years with the biggest towing-capacity difference
| Year | Silverado 1500 | 1500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,000 lbs | 11,500 lbs | +4,500 lbs |
| 2017 | 12,000 lbs | 7,920 lbs | -4,080 lbs |
| 2016 | 12,000 lbs | 8,210 lbs | -3,790 lbs |
| 2022 | 11,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -3,000 lbs |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2013 | 7,000 lbs | 8,950 lbs | +1,950 lbs |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs |
Data coverage / methodology
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
- Peak values are the highest ratings represented in our dataset, not a claim of manufacturer completeness.
- Missing values are never treated as zero.
- We do not use averages of towing configurations as a primary comparison metric.
- Trailer “match” means the entered limits are satisfied by ratings in our dataset — additional real-world vehicle/trailer limits may apply. We never say a tow is “safe.”
Model pages
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 towing capacity · RAM 1500 towing capacity