Old vs. New Chevy Silverado: How Come a New Truck Is Rated to Tow Twice More Than My Old Truck? (Ask TFLtruck)

old new chevy gmc hd truck tow rating comparison
Old vs. New Chevy Silverado HD tow rating

Heavy duty trucks from just 15 years ago had a maximum tow rating of around 12,000 lbs. The 2018 Ford F-150 is rated at 13,200 lbs of towing. 2018 Heavy duty trucks are pushing to and past 30,000 lbs of gooseneck and/or 5-th wheel trailer tow rating. We recently received the following question from Steve W. about comparing old and new HD truck tow ratings.

I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado LT crew cab 3500 4×4 DRW with the Duramax engine. I see the tow ratings for new trucks, and I want to know how my truck can be rated for a 12,000 lb trailer load and a new truck in the same configuration is rated at 23,000 lbs. The new trucks don’t make twice the power or torque and even weigh about 1,000 lbs more. Also, Chevy half-ton trucks are now rated at 12,000 lb tow capacity.  What’s the deal with these ratings? Are the older trucks under-rated, new trucks over-rated or what?
I would be interested in seeing a comparison of how those trucks all drive with a 12,000 lbs load, and if the old trucks are in fact capable of pulling more safely.

What gives? Are new trucks really more than twice as capable as their predecessors from the recent past?

The difference comes from many components: frame, suspension, brakes, transmission, and engine. While an older truck can pull a heavy 30,000 lbs trailer, it would have serious problems with controlling and stopping this load. Towing safety is of paramount importance, and all truck manufacturers take the steps to strengthen and enhance the frame, suspension, brakes and more.

Here are just a few examples. The new Ford Super Duty has an updated fully-boxed frame with additional cross members. GM has upgraded the size of the brake rotors, calipers, and more several times on a quest to increase payload and towing capacities. Ram has upgraded the suspension several times over the last two decades.

This is our old vs. new towing efficiency comparison. We aim to do many more comparisons similar to this.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.