Without the max towing package, the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 can tow up to 4,400 – 10,000 lbs and up to 10,700 lbs with the Max Trailering Package.
Any trailer over 2,000 lbs requires its own braking system, with brakes working on all axles.
If you are looking for the towing capacity of your 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500, look no further, this article will give you the towing capacity for each model.
Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.
TRIMS
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 7 different trims for the standards 1500.
- WT
- LS
- LT
- XFE
- LTZ
- HYBRID 1HY
- HYBRID 2HY
CAB AND BED SIZES
The cab types in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 are Regular, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab.
The regular is a single-row seating cab, while the Extended Cab and Crew cab can support two different rows of passengers.
The Extended cab is slightly smaller than the Crew in both length, rear-seat space, and rear door sizes.
Bed Sizes
There are three main bed sizes for the Silverado 1500. These include the short, standard, and long bed.
The short bed is 5 ft 10 in., the standard bed is 6.5 ft, and the long bed is 8 ft.
The exact lengths are slightly different than what is listed above, but this helps to compare truck bed lengths to other similar models.
Are these bed sizes big, small or average? Read: Size of a Pickup Truck Bed & Styles to compare these bed sizes to other pickup trucks.
PACKAGES
There are a number of packages available with the Silverado, but when it comes to towing packages, there are only two available. The Max Trailering Package and the Trailering Package.
Trailering Package (Z82)
The trailering package does not offer any extra towing capacity capabilities, but does allow the Silverado to now accommodate towing. The Silverado does not come with any towing equipment available unless the trailering package is added.
This simply adds the equipment needed to connect a trailer to the vehicle. See items below:
- Trailer Hitch
- 7-wire harness/7-way sealed connector
- Trailer Brake Control Jumper Harness
- External transmission fluid cooler
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential
Max Trailering Package
The Max Trailering package includes everything in the trailering package and some. Unlike the Trailering package, the max trailering package can provide additional towing capacity to the vehicle than what is listed by Chevrolet.
- Trailering Package
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential
- Front/Rear Disc Brakes
- 3.73 Rear axle ratio
- Z85 Handling/ Trailering Suspension
TOWING CAPACITY BY ENGINE
To determine the towing capacity of your vehicle, you need to know the:
- engine type
- bed size
- cab size
- drivetrain
- axle ratio
If you know all of these items, then move on to the next section by engine to determine your towing capacity.
If not:
- Start with the VIN decoder from Autozone to determine the engine in the vehicle
- Measure the bed size with a tape measure to determine whether you have a short, long, or standard bed
- The cab size should be evident by whether or not you have two rows and if the back doors are full-sized
- Drivetrain should be determined with the VIN as well
- The axle ratio will be listed on the side of the driver’s door on the certification sticker
What sets Chevrolet apart from other manufacturers is that they include all the important towing information on the side of the passenger door on the certification trailering sticker.
Here you will find GCWR, GVWR, curb weight, payload, and towing ratings. This is the best way to ensure you have the appropriate measures for your Silverado.
You may be interested in: What is GVWR?
ENGINES IN 2012 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is available with the following engines:
- 4.3 L Ecotec3 V6
- 5.3 L Ecotec3 V8
- 6.2 L Ecotec3 V8
| 4.3 L | 4.8L | 5.3 L | 6.2 L | |
| Regular Cab Standard Box | x | x | x | – |
| Regular Cab Long Bed | x | x | x | – |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed | x | x | x | x |
| Extended Cab Long Bed | — | — | x | – |
| Crew Cab Short Bed | — | x | x | x |
TOWING CAPACITY BY ENGINE
Chevrolet separates the towing capacity of a Silverado by the engine type inside the truck rather than the trim.
So this section is going to provide you with the towing capacities listed in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 ebrochure and the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Owner’s Manual.
Before you read on to find your specific towing capacity by engine, you should know that this information is used for comparison purposes. You will find the appropriate towing capacity by calculating it yourself/looking at your individual trailering sticker.
The max towing capacity without the max trailering package is 4,400 – 10,000 lbs.
Do keep in mind that with the 2012 Silverado 1500, any weight being towed over 2,000 lbs requires that the trailer must be equipped with its own brake system. In addition, a load of more than 7,000 lbs requires its own weight distributing hitch.
4.3 L ECOTEC3 V6 ENGINE TOWING CAPACITY
The 4.3 L EcoTec3 Engine in the Chevy Silverado 1500 is the only diesel engine offered in the family, but is not available with all cab and bed sizes.
It has 195 hp @ 4,600 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2,800 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 11,000 for 4×2 and 12,800 lbs for 4×4 trucks. The max towing capacity of the 4.3 L engine in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 is between 4,400 and 5,400 lbs.
| Axle Ratio | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 4,800 | 9,500 |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.73 | 5,400/ 5,100 | 10,000 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 4,700 | 9,500 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.73 | 5,200/ 4,900 | 9,500/10,000 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 4,400 | 9,500 |
4.8 L ECOTEC3 V8 TOWING CAPACITY
The 4.8 L EcoTec2 V8 Engine in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 302 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 305 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,600 rpm.
The max towing capacity of the 4.8 L engine is between 4,700 and 7,200 lbs in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Axle Ratio | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 4,700 | 9,500 |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×4) | 3.42 | 6,000 | 11,000 |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.73 | 7,200 | 12,000 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 5,100 | 10,000 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×4) | 3.42 | 5,800 | 11,000 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2) | 3.73 | 7,100 | 12,000 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.23 | 4,700 | 10,000 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×4) | 3.42 | 5,500 | 11,000 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 3.73 | 6,700 | 12,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2) | 3. 23 | 4,700 | 10,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×4) | 3.42 | 5,500 | 11,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2) | 3.73 | 6,700 | 12,000 |
5.3 L ECOTEC3 V8 TOWING CAPACITY
The 5.3 L EcoTec2 V8 Engine in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 315 hp @ 5,200 rpm and 335 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm.
The max towing capacity of the 5.3 L engine is between 6,000 and 10,000 lbs in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Axle Ratio | Other Packages | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | 6,600/ 6,400 | 11,500 | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 7,400/7,100 | 12,200 |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.42 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 9,100/ 8,900 | 14,000 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | 6,500/ 6,300 | 11,500 | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 7,200/ 7,100 | 12,200 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.42 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 10,000/ 9,800 | 15,000 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | 6,200/ 6,100 | 11,500 | |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 6,900/ 6,800 | 12,200 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.42 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 9,700/ 9,600 | 15,000 |
| Extended Cab Long Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 3.08 | 6,000/ 5,800 | 11,500 | |
| Extended Cab Long Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 3.08 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 6,700/ 6,500 | 12,200 |
| Extended Cab Long Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 3.42 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 9,500/ 9,300 | 15,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | 6,200/ 6,000 | 11,500 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.08 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 6,900/ 6,700 | 12,200 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 3.42 | Heavy Duty Cooling | 9,600/ 9,500 | 15,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4z2) | 3.08 | XFE | 7,000 | 12,200 |
6.2 L ECOTEC3 V8 TOWING CAPACITY
The 6.2 L EcoTec3 V8 Engine is the larger engine of the EcoTec3 family in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500. It is available for both 4×2 and 4×4 wheel drive trucks.
It has 403 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 417 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,300 rpm.
The GCWR of all vehicles with this engine is 15,000 lbs for the base. The max towing capacity of the 6.2 L engine is between 5,900 and 10,700 lbs in the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500.
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailering Package | Other Packages | Towing Capacity (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.42 | 9,700/ 9,400 | 15,000 | ||
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.73 | X | 10,700/10,400 | 16,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.42 | 9,700/ 9,400 | 15,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 3.73 | x | 10,600/ 10,400 | 16,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | Hybrid | 6,100/ 5,900 | 12,000 |
2012 CHEVY SILVERADO TOWING CAPACITY CHARTS
CONVENTIONAL TOWING
FOR REGULAR CAB, EXTENDED CAB, AND CREW CAB
5TH WHEEL/GOOSENECK TOWING
The Chevy Silverado 1500 with 5th wheel/ gooseneck towing can tow 8,100 – 10,600 lbs.
PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND CURB WEIGHT
Though you probably came here for the towing capacity of your Chevy Silverado, it is also important you understand and know the payload capacity of your truck.
If you are new to payload capacity, read: What is GVWR? to get a better understanding. Similarly, even if you know your towing capacity and don’t exceed it, you need to make sure you are not exceeding the payload capacity at the same time.
I explain this in more detail in How towing capacity is calculated?
Payload capacity refers to the amount of weight that can be safely carried in a truck (including cargo and passengers).
Curb weight is the amount of weight that the truck weighs without anything in it and is used to calculate towing and payload capacity.
Without any package, the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 payload capacity is 1,515 – 1,940 lbs.
The curb weight of a pickup truck is based on the cab type, bed size, drive train, and engine. I’ve separated this article by engine to keep it consistent with the towing capacities.
4.3 L ECOTEC3 V6 ENGINE PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND WEIGHT
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 4.3 L engine is between 1,515 and 1,940 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | GVWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 1,940/ 1,714 | 6,400 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2) | 1,804/ 1,549 | 6,400 |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 1,515 | 6,400 |
4.8 L ECOTEC3 V8 PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND WEIGHT
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 5.3 L engine is between 1,598 and 1,810 lbs.
| Payload Capacity (lbs) | GVWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 1,810/ 1,598 | 6,400 |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,676/ 1,827 | 6,400/ 6,800 |
| Extend Cab Standard Bed (4×2) | 1,783/ 1,726 | 6,800/ 7,000 |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2) | 1,701/ 1,659 | 6,800/ 7,000 |
5.3 L ECOTEC3 V8 PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND WEIGHT
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 5.3 L engine is between 1,513 and 1,757 lbs.
| Other Packages | Payload Capacity (lbs) | GVWR (lbs) | |
| Regular Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,757/ 1,550 | 6,400 | |
| Regular Cab Long Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,635/ 1,794 | 6,400/ 6,800 | |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 1,755/ 1,794 | 6,800/ 7,000 | |
| Extended Cab Long Bed (4×2 x 4/4) | 1,641/ 1,513 | 6,900/ 7,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,634/ 1,712 | 6,800/ 7,000 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2) | XFE | 1,648 | 6,700 |
6.2 L ECOTEC V8 PAYLOAD CAPACITY AND WEIGHT
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 max payload capacity for the 6.2 L engine is between 1,509 and 1,937 lbs.
| Max Trailering Package | Other Packages | Payload Capacity (lbs) | GVWR (lbs) | |
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | 1,747/ 1,671 | 6,800/ 7,000 | ||
| Extended Cab Standard Bed (4×2/4×4) | x | 1,908/1,835 | 7,000/ 7,200 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/ 4×4) | 1,676/ 1, 626 | 6,800/ 7,000 | ||
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | x | 1,937/ 1,890 | 7,100/ 7,300 | |
| Crew Cab Short Bed (4×2/4×4) | Hybrid | 1,527/ 1,509 | 7,100/ 7,300 |
TONGUE WEIGHT OF 2012 CHEVY SILVERADO
The tongue load is the amount of weight that can be exerted on a trailer hitch.
For most trailers, this value is 10-15% of the total trailer weight. For fifth-wheel/ gooseneck trailering, a minimum loaded trailer weight of 15% to 25% is used.
How can you make sure you don’t exceed this value?
You can make sure of this by weighing the tongue weight of your trailer.
Not sure how? Check out What is trailer tongue weight? & How to Measure It
CONCLUSION
Though this guide provides good guidance on how much you can tow with your 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500, you should always calculate your own towing capacity.
Not sure how? Read: How is Towing Capacity Calculated? Here you will find a helpful calculator as well.
You’ll still need the GCWR, which should be appropriately listed here, but you should double-check your manual and sticker before you make a final decision.
And don’t forget that you need to consider the trailer tongue weight as well to make sure you don’t exceed your payload capacity and have an evenly distributed trailer. Read: What is trailer tongue weight? & How to Measure It
