5th Wheel Towing Capacity of 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with 4WD and Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I took a look at the owner's manual for a 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and for a 4WD the capacities will depend on axle ratio, cab length and bed size. Assuming you have a 4.10 axle ratio, your GCWR (the combined weight of your truck and trailer) is listed at 21,100 lbs no matter what your other configurations are. With that 4.10 axle ratio here are the maximum fifth wheel trailer weights per the manual:

- 4WD Crew Cab Long Box: 13,900 lbs
- 4WD Crew Cab Standard Box: 14,000 lbs
- 4WD Double Cab Long Box: 14,100 lbs
- 4WD Double Cab Standard Box: 14,200 lbs
- 4WD Regular Cab Long Box: 14,500 lbs

As you can see, since your trailer has a GVWR of 13,800 lbs you will be fine to tow the trailer you are purchasing.

What you are going to need are a fifth wheel hitch and, if you do not have the OEM fifth wheel prep package, a mounting kit.

I highly recommend the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch, and if your 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD DOES have the factory puck system and you have a short bed (under 8 feet) you need the sliding B&W Companion # BWRVK3770; if you have a long bed you need the fixed B&W Companion # BWRVK3700.

If your '16 Silverado 2500HD does NOT have the factory puck system you will first need to install the Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion # BWGNRK1016-5W which doubles as a gooseneck hitch. The Companion you will need with this kit is the sliding B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W or the fixed B&W Companion # BWRVK3500-5W.

The Companion is considered by many to be the highest-quality fifth wheel hitch available. With around 500 reviews to date from our customers who have purchased it, this hitch has received a nearly unanimous 5-star rating. One of the reasons for that is the jaw system on the Companion; its dual jaws are a full 1" thick to provide complete contact with your king pin so you can have faith that your connection is absolutely secure.

The Companion also is going to give you a much quieter ride with less rattling than other fifth wheels due to its secure connection, along with its polyurethane bushings. This hitch has a pivoting head to make hooking up easier, a cam-action latch to deter binding, offers three different height settings to ensure you are level with your fifth wheel and has a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs. I have added links to some video reviews of the hitch for you to take a look at as well.

Finally, if you need to add fifth wheel wiring for your 2016 Silverado 2500HD you can use the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Harness # 20110 which will work with the factory 7-way on your truck. I have added a link to a video of this harness being installed on a '16 Silverado 2500 for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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