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Chevrolet Silverado 1999-Present: Towing with 2WD

Although 4WD trucks are preferred in most situations, there are numerous advantages to driving a 2WD model, or at least driving in 2WD mode. One surprising situation that calls for 2WD (most of the time) is towing.

By Joshua Leimkuehler - June 23, 2015

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999-present).

Although four-wheel drive (4WD) pickups are usually preferred by most serious truck owners, two-wheel drive (2WD) models certainly have their advantages—even when towing. 4WD trucks tend to have a heavier curb weight, in large part to the additional transfer case and extra 4x4 equipment and components. This means 2WD Silverado models are quicker off the line, pull more power to the ground, and get better gas mileage while pulling a trailer. With a few exceptions, you should use 2WD mode for normal towing even if your Silverado is equipped with 4WD (more on those exceptions later).

If you’re getting ready to tow for the first time, this guide will serve as a terrific basic introduction to 2WD towing. Read on to learn a few important towing tips and how to find your truck's maximum towing capacity. You’ll also learn when towing with 4WD is preferred to 2WD. Check out our other Silverado towing guides for more in-depth information and tutorials.

Towing Tips

Do a Pre-Check

Before you hit the road, take 10 or 15 minutes and perform a walk-around inspection of your Silverado, trailer, and towing equipment. Check the air pressure in each tire, including trailer tires. While you’re near the ground, look under the truck to inspect the axle, suspension, and mounting hardware for cracks and loose fasteners. Make sure the hitch pin is securely holding the drawbar, and be sure the harness connector and breakaway cable are firmly connected. Have a friend test the brake lights and turn signals while you stand behind the trailer. Replace any burnt-out or malfunctioning bulbs before you leave.

Figure 1. Perform a thorough inspection to make sure your truck and trailer are road-ready and properly connected.

Increase Rear-Wheel Traction

The Eaton G80 automatic locking rear differential enables 2WD Chevy Silverado models to out-tow all other 2WD trucks on the road. This fully automatic locking rear differential is included with the available Trailering Package (Work Truck, LS, and LT models) and the available Max Trailering Package (Rally 2 and LT models). If your Silverado does not have the G80, you may need to add weight in the bed to increase rear-wheel traction in slippery conditions. Extra weight can also pre-load the suspension to the point where an open differential provides extra traction to both rear tires.

Figure 2. Chevy's exclusive Eaton G80 automatic locking rear differential.

Stay Back in Traffic

This tip applies regardless of whether you’re towing in 2WD or 4WD mode. A full-size, four-door pickup traveling at 60 mph typically requires about 150 feet to come to a complete stop in an emergency braking situation (on dry pavement). The addition of a 4,500-pound trailer can increase stopping distance to 220 feet or more. The difference may not seem like much, but an extra 70 feet can be the difference between rear-ending a car and avoiding a terrible accident if a vehicle stops suddenly in front of you. To be safe, leave six seconds or more of distance when towing.

Figure 3. Increase this distance to 6 seconds or more when pulling a trailer.

Find Your Truck's Towing Capacity

Before you hook up a trailer, be sure to check your Silverado’s maximum towing capacity (the maximum total weight your truck can pull). These specs can vary greatly depending on a number of different factors, including your truck’s engine, transmission, axle ratio, and drivetrain. You can find your truck’s towing capacity by looking at your owner’s manual or the compliance certification label inside the driver’s side door. You can also check this towing capacity reference sheet for 2006-2009 Silverado models.

When to Use 4WD

Some situations call for four-wheel drive grit and determination. If your Chevy Silverado is equipped with 4WD, learn to recognize the towing situations when 4WD mode is appropriate. If your Silverado is not equipped with 4WD, ask a friend who does or rent a 4WD truck in the following situations:

  • Extreme driving conditions, such as snow-covered or muddy roads
  • Pulling a boat up extremely steep and/or wet launch ramps
  • Pulling a trailer up steep, off-road inclines

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