Index · Chevrolet · Silverado 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is 21,700 lb, the top of 39 rows transcribed from Chevrolet’s 2011 Chevrolet Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW, Automatic transmission. Most configurations are rated lower: 38 of the 39 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2011 are below 21,700 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is 17,000 lb on a conventional hitch. Across 78 manufacturer chart rows for 2011, ratings run conventional 8,700 lb to 17,000 lb; fifth-wheel 8,700 lb to 21,700 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.

conventional6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.17,000 lb
fifth-wheel6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.21,700 lb

The build table for 2011 is not transcribed. This page will not multiply trims, cabs, and engines into trucks the order guide did not list.

HitchCited maximumConfigurationSource grade
Conventional17,000 lb6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.OEM chart
Fifth-wheel21,700 lb6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.OEM chart

Highest rows among 78 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.

Source: Chevrolet, 2011 Chevrolet Trailering Guide, Trailer weight ratings pages 08-13 (Silverado, Silverado HD, Avalanche, Colorado).

Spec sheet

6 of 25 fields cited; 1 estimate. Field index

Cited fields may cover selected trims or only part of a measurement. Read the configuration and source beside each value; a cited field does not mean every version is researched.

Towing

Conventional maximum
17,000 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.Chevrolet source
Gooseneck maximum
Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel maximum
21,700 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW; Automatic transmission.Chevrolet source
Tongue or pin load
1,700 lb tongue at the 17,000 lb conventional maximum. 3,255 lb pin at the 21,700 lb fifth-wheel maximum. Illustration at 10 percent conventional and 15 percent in-bed, not a measured load or recommendation. Follow the trailer and vehicle instructions; actual load may be higher.Estimate
Weight distribution
Not transcribed for this model year.
Trailer frontal area
Not transcribed for this model year.

Weights

Payload
Not transcribed for this model year.
GCWR
Not transcribed for this model year.
GVWR
Not transcribed for this model year.
Front GAWR
Not transcribed for this model year.
Rear GAWR
Not transcribed for this model year.
Curb weight
Not transcribed for this model year.

Body

Wheelbase
Not transcribed for this model year.
Bed length
Long Box, Standard BoxChevrolet source
Bed width and depth
Not transcribed for this model year.
Cab-to-axle
Not transcribed for this model year.
Overall length, width, height
Not transcribed for this model year.
Ground clearance and angles
Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel clearance
Not transcribed for this model year.

Power

Engine, horsepower, torque
Not transcribed for this model year.
Transmission
Not transcribed for this model year.
Fuel type and tank
Not transcribed for this model year.
Drivetrain
4WD, 2WDChevrolet source
Axle ratio
3.73, 4.10Chevrolet source
Tow package
DRW; Automatic transmission; SRW; Automatic transmissionChevrolet source

Bed, tongue weight, and wheelbase

The trailer rating is one limit. The bed has to fit the load, the tongue or pin has to fit in payload, and the wheelbase is the column the chart uses.

  • An illustrative 10 percent of the 17,000 lb conventional maximum is 1,700 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
  • An illustrative 15 percent of the 21,700 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 3,255 lb of pin weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.

Bed capacity · Tongue and pin weight · Wheelbase · GCWR, GVWR, and GAWR. Wheelbase is not transcribed for this year. GCWR is not transcribed for this year.

Estimate payload margin and bed volume · How these limits work together

Change from 2010

  • Conventional: 13,000 lb in 2010, 17,000 lb in 2011 (+4,000 lb).
  • Fifth-wheel: 16,500 lb in 2010, 21,700 lb in 2011 (+5,200 lb).

Generation

GMT900 HD

2011 is year 4 of this generation (2008–2014). Redesigned 3500HD for 2008, including dual-rear-wheel pickups.

2011 towing by engine

Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 78 transcribed chart rows. A missing hitch means the chart did not print one for that engine, not that it is zero.

EngineConventionalFifth-wheelChart rows
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)13,000–17,000 lb16,800–21,700 lb24
6.0L V88,700–14,100 lb8,700–14,500 lb54

Highest-rated configurations

TrailerEngineCab / bedDriveAxle / packageGCWREvidence
21,700 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Regular Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 1—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Regular Cab Long Box DRW 4x4', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
21,500 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Extended Cab, Long Box2WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 2—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box DRW 2WD', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
21,500 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Long Box2WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 3—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 2WD', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
21,300 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Extended Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 4—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box DRW 4x4', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
21,100 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 5—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 4x4 verado Heavy Duty models. ector at the rear bumper. . AUTOMATIC ler (KNP). FIFTH-WHEEL s or up to 3,500 lbs. on', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,400 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Regular Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · SRW; Automatic transmissionnote 6—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Regular Cab Long Box SRW 4x4', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,300 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Extended Cab, Long Box2WD3.73 · SRW; Automatic transmissionnote 7—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box SRW 2WD', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,300 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Long Box2WD3.73 · SRW; Automatic transmissionnote 8—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box SRW 2WD', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,200 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Standard Box2WD3.73 · SRW; Automatic transmissionnote 9—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Standard Box SRW 2WD', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,000 lb
Conventional
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Extended Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 4—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box DRW 4x4', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,000 lb
Conventional
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Long Box4WD3.73 · DRW; Automatic transmissionnote 10—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 4x4 GENERAL TRAILERING ment Package (Z82) is also available and are equipped with an should be 15–25 percent of', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
17,000 lb
Fifth-wheel
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax)Crew Cab, Standard Box4WD3.73 · SRW; Automatic transmissionnote 11—Page 11, Silverado HD ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch, row '3500HD Series Crew Cab Standard Box SRW 4x4', column 6.6L Diesel V8, axle 3.73
  1. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Regular Cab Long Box DRW 4x4'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  2. Chart row label: '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box DRW 2WD'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  3. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 2WD'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  4. Chart row label: '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box DRW 4x4'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  5. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 4x4 verado Heavy Duty models. ector at the rear bumper. . AUTOMATIC ler (KNP). FIFTH-WHEEL s or up to 3,500 lbs. on'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  6. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Regular Cab Long Box SRW 4x4'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  7. Chart row label: '3500HD Series extended Cab Long Box SRW 2WD'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  8. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box SRW 2WD'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  9. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Standard Box SRW 2WD'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  10. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Long Box DRW 4x4 GENERAL TRAILERING ment Package (Z82) is also available and are equipped with an should be 15–25 percent of'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.
  11. Chart row label: '3500HD Series Crew Cab Standard Box SRW 4x4'. Chart engine column: 6.6L Diesel V8.

Chart source: Chevrolet, 2011 Chevrolet Trailering Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.

Find your exact configuration (78 rows) →Download 2011 rows as CSV ↓

What changes the number

  • Engine and transmission
  • Cab, bed, and wheelbase
  • Two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive
  • Axle ratio and tow package
  • Conventional hitch versus fifth-wheel versus gooseneck
  • People, options, and cargo, which spend payload the chart assumed was empty

Questions

How much can a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD tow?
The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is 21,700 lb, the top of 39 rows transcribed from Chevrolet’s 2011 Chevrolet Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW, Automatic transmission. Most configurations are rated lower: 38 of the 39 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2011 are below 21,700 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is 17,000 lb on a conventional hitch.
Did Silverado 3500HD towing change for 2011?
Compare the cited 2011 figures on this page with the 2010 record. They are stored separately.
Which configuration hits the maximum?
The 21,700 lb fifth-wheel maximum is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW, Automatic transmission.
What tongue weight should I plan for a 2011 Silverado 3500HD?
At the cited 17,000 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,700 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. At the cited 21,700 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 3,255 lb of pin weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.

Compare with

2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · All Silverado 3500HD years