Towing On a Budget With a Used Silverado 1500

With some of the best towing capacity in its class, the Chevy Silverado is the perfect fit for drivers who work hard and play hard. With their heavy-duty construction, powerful engines, and a slew of technology to make towing easier than ever, full-size trucks like Silverado are the perfect companion for camping, trail riding, cross-country tours, and everything in between. This pickup is made to last, with a solid body-on-frame design and reinforced components that mean it’ll still get the job done no matter how many miles are on the odometer, making used pickups an affordable option for drivers who would rather spend their money on a new ATV, upgrades to the camper, or investing in one of those pricey coolers.

Here at your Miami used truck dealership, just take a look around our lot, and you’ll find no shortage of quality used trucks that are primed for a new life as the ideal companion for whatever adventures the weekend might hold. Whether you want to escape the city for a little retreat, or you need something to load up with all of your beach gear, a truck will be a good choice for any Miami resident. Of course, some pickups fulfill this role better than others, with towing capacity often being a major factor in the buying process as we ocean dwellers definitely need something to haul our water gear to the coastline for some fun. So how does the Silverado stack up when it comes to towing capacity? We’ll take a closer look under the hood and see if Chevy’s pickup has what it takes to earn its place in your garage.

Value and Functionality

The Chevy Silverado is one of the most powerful, capable full-size pickups on the market, winning rave reviews from drivers and critics alike thanks to its seamless fusion of power and performance. Towing and payload capacity have never been an afterthought when it comes to the Silverado, which consistently ranks as one of the top performers in its class. Whether you’re talking about the standard Silverado 1500 or heavy-duty versions like the Silverado 2500 and 3500, you’re never hurting for power when it comes to Chevy’s best-selling truck. The model has consistently ranked among the top three in the market, locked in tight competition with Dodge Ram and the Ford F-150 for the title of America’s Top Truck.

Originally debuting in 1998, the Silverado is currently in its fourth generation, which began in 2019. While there are certainly fourth-generation Silverados available on the used market, third-generation versions offer a real bargain for budget-conscious shoppers. Most have already been through their most rapid period of depreciation, meaning they’ll hold their value much better than models that are just rolling off the factory floor. They’re also more reliable, with countless tests proving that pickups generally average a 50 percent longer lifespan than vehicles produced in the same year. These factors, along with the fact that they’re generally cheaper to insure, mean that few vehicles offer as good of a value on the used market as time-tested pickups like the Chevy Silverado.

Hitting the market in 2019, the fourth-generation Silverado carries on the pickup’s proud tradition of towing prowess. The all-new pickup features a redesigned exterior and new engine options, as well as a host of high-tech safety, infotainment, and towing features that make the fourth-generation Silverado one of the most capable pickups in its class. From the pickup’s StabiliTrak technology with Trailer Sway Control to Hill Start Assist and a dedicated Tow/Haul Drive Mode Selector, Chevy loads the Silverado down with a suite of advanced features which go a long way in taking the guesswork out of towing.

The Advanced Trailering System, which can be accessed through the dashboard infotainment system or the myChevrolet mobile app, gives driver’s a pre-tow checklist to ensure you won’t forget to make those vital connections before merging onto the highway at 80 mph. This technology provides valuable peace of mind, alerting drivers when the towing system is not properly configured, and sounds an alert and sending notifications through the OnStar Safety & Security system if the trailer is detached when you’re away from the vehicle. Rounding out the slate of towing-specific features, the Electric Parking Brake Hookup Assist Hill automatically puts the parking brake into Park mode when the vehicle is shifting to increase stability and reduce the towing and swaying that can result from unexpected shifts in cargo.

Third-Generation Silverado 1500 (2014 - 2018)

Even in the most basic configuration, the third-generation Silverado holds its own when it comes to towing capacity. From 2014 to 2018, the Silverado 1500 comes standard with a 4.3-liter EcoTec V7 capable of producing 285 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. This engine isn’t the most powerful in the towing department, with a maximum capacity of 7,900, but the pickup more than makes up for it when it comes to fuel efficiency. The ultra-efficient EcoTec3 V6 gives the entry-level engine an impressive 24 MPG on the highway, which would be a feat for almost any vehicle, not to mention a full-size pickup.

Moving up a notch, you’ll find the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 motor. With a towing capacity of up to 11,600 pounds, the V8 is a major step up from the base engine when it comes to sheer pulling power. With the ability to tow nearly six tons, this version of the Silverado is a well-rounded option that should provide more than enough towing capacity for all but the most weighty jobs. The engine’s large displacement goes a long way in adding a little power under the hood, giving the Silverado 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This represents the upper end in terms of power for the third-generation Silverado, though we still have a ways to go when it comes to maximizing towing capacity.

The 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 represents the ultimate in towing capacity when it comes to the third-generation Silverado. Not only does this pickup rank near the top of its class with a maximum towing capacity of 12,100 pounds, it can do it without burning through gas. Chevy’s EcoTec3 V8 gives drivers a generous 20 MPG, allowing you to tow everything from boats and construction equipment to fully-loaded trailers and RVs without keeping a constant lookout for the next gas station. The 5.3-liter engine slots in just below the 6.2-liter option when it comes to power, offering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, and is also one of the most customizable engines in the Silverado lineup with the ability to be paired with either a 6, 8, or 10-speed automatic transmission.

The last engine option for the third-generation Silverado is a revamped version of the 5.3-liter V8 paired with Chevy’s eAssist hybrid technology. Sold on hybrid models produced between 2016 and 2018, these engines offer the same horsepower and torque as the non-hybrid versions but are built with a small electric motor which allows the pickup to run on four cylinders for an extended period of time. This technology, along with the brand’s Active Fuel Management system, adds an average of 2 MPG to fuel economy figures, making this engine option an ideal choice for those looking to save some money at the pump.

Fourth-Generation Silverado 1500 (2019 - Present)

The standard 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 gasoline engine might not blow drivers away with a max 7,900-pound towing capacity, but it provides more than enough for most applications with 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. The engine is also FlexFuel-capable, meaning drivers can fill the gas tank with traditional gasoline or any blend containing up to 83 percent ethanol. The 4.3-liter V8 isn’t the only engine in the Silverado lineup that accepts the ethanol-heavy blends, the 5.3-liter V8 also does, but it’s a nice perk for drivers looking for a more affordable alternative to regular gas.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged I-4 is the least brawny towing option of the bunch, with 6,800 pounds of total capacity, but it more than makes up for it when it comes to fuel efficiency. Despite its modest displacement, the four-cylinder option is able to lean on the turbocharger to produce 310 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque while still delivering 20 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. This is made possible in part due to Chevy’s automatic stop/start technology, which can selectively deactivate the engine during prolonged periods of idling so that you’re not burning gas when you’re just sitting still.

Drivers who prioritize fuel efficiency above all else should check out the 3.0-liter I-6 Turbo-Diesel, which leads all engine options with an astounding 23 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. With those types of figures, you might expect the diesel to lag behind in terms of towing capacity, but the engine can actually deliver up to 9,300 pounds making it a good all-around option for drivers seeking a balance between efficiency and power. It’s also one of the torque-iest of the bunch at 460 lb-ft and comes with a respectable 277 horsepower.

Towing capacity makes a huge jump when you start looking at the Silverado’s larger-displacement V8 options. The 5.3-liter version produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, which rocket the pickup’s towing capacity to 11,000 pounds. That can be increased to 11,600 pounds when drivers opt for the Dynamic Fuel Management system, which not only adds to the truck’s towing capacity but also allows it to achieve 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.

Lastly, there’s the undisputed towing king of the Silverado lineup: the 6.2-liter V8. This massive block churns out a considerable 420 horsepower, and its 460 lb-ft of torque can only be matched by the Turbo-Diesel. Still, it’s the pickup’s 13,400-pound maximum towing capacity that deserves all the headlines. Available on the Custom Trail Boss, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country trims, the musclebound V8 can be paired with either an 8 or 10-speed transmission. This is the engine you want to find if you are a fan of bringing your boat out on the water.

The Perfect Truck for Miami Life

With a range of powerful yet efficient engines to choose from, the Silverado 1500 remains one of the best values in its class for drivers looking to tow or haul on a budget. Chevy has provided drivers with no shortage of engine options, from traditional gas setups to turbo-diesels and even a hybrid. The full-size pickup is continually reinventing itself, doubling down on the things it does best while also folding in new features that keep drivers coming back for more.

While some fourth-generation models offer a generous complement of new towing-specific tech and a range of robust engines, third-generation Silverados are equally capable and are now hitting the sweet spot as far as depreciation is concerned. Whether you’re looking for a new rig that’ll allow you to tow the boat out to the water, haul all your beach toys, or haul a camper to a getaway location outside the city limits, the Silverado 1500 is more than up for the job.