GM Truck Tow Ratings Adjusted by Tougher Testing

Despite the existence of a standardized test, only one half-ton pickup manufacturer was using the procedure to determine its truck’s tow ratings, until now.

General Motors has released tow ratings for the 2015 Chevy Silverado and 2015 GMC Sierra based on the SAE J2807 recommended practices, revealing that both trucks maintain a maximum tow rating of 12,000 pounds.

To hit that 12,000-pound rating, you must get a two-wheel drive Silverado or Sierra double cab fit with the 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque through a 3.42 rear end. The maximum trailering package is also required, tacking on a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, revised shock tuning, enhanced cooling and an integrated trailer brake controller.

SEE ALSO: Why Your Truck’s Tow Ratings is BS

There are a number of different J2807 specific test protocols that manufacturers must use to come up with these tow ratings. Those include measuring the temperature of the engine on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68, launch and acceleration performance on a 12 percent grade, structural performance of the vehicle and hitch receiver and more.

J2807 also assumes that the tow vehicle only includes options with higher than 33 percent penetration, that there are two passengers in the vehicle each weighing 150 pounds, that the tow vehicle includes up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment and that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.

Now that Chevrolet has released its J2807 numbers, watch for Ford and Ram to follow. Since the standard was introduced, Toyota has been the only company to fully comply with its half-ton truck, the Tundra. When it comes to the big three, it has been a cold war with each brand declaring that once its competitors went to J2807, they would follow. Ford had already promised that its 2015 F-150 would use the standard, so now we must wait and see if they keep their word.

For every single 2015 tow rating, click the gallery below.