Towing season in Ontario brings a familiar question: which vehicle can handle the boat, the camper, or the utility trailer without breaking a sweat? The answer depends on what you're hauling, how far you're going, and which powertrain fits the job. General Motors builds a full range of trucks and SUVs rated at 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) or higher, and each one is designed with factory-installed trailering equipment to keep the load stable and the driver confident.
This guide breaks down five 2026 GM vehicles available at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC — from a three-row family SUV to a full-size electric pickup — so drivers in Mississauga and across the Greater Toronto Area can match the right truck or SUV to their trailering needs. Every towing figure listed below comes straight from the 2026 Chevrolet Trailering Guide and assumes the vehicle is properly equipped with the required factory trailering package.
The 2026 Silverado 1500 leads the lineup with a maximum conventional towing capacity of 13,300 lbs (6,033 kg) when configured with the Duramax 3.0 L turbo-diesel inline-6 engine and the Max Trailering Package. That rating applies to the Double Cab Standard Bed in 2WD, giving it enough muscle for large travel trailers, horse trailers, and heavy construction equipment.
Even without the Max Trailering Package, a Crew Cab 4x4 with the 5.3 L EcoTec3 V8 tows up to 9,300 lbs (4,218 kg) in standard trim — more than enough for a mid-size boat on a tandem-axle trailer. The Silverado 1500 also supports gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitching for bed-mounted setups, and it comes loaded with trailering technology: an available integrated trailer brake controller, Trailer Sway Control through StabiliTrak, available Super Cruise with trailer-aware following, and an in-vehicle trailering app with pre-departure checklists and tire-pressure monitoring.
The 2026 Silverado EV with the Extended Range battery pack — in either LT or Trail Boss trim — tows up to 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) using a conventional hitch. That puts it within striking distance of its gas-powered sibling, while delivering the instant torque of a dual-motor electric drivetrain.
Tow/Haul Mode on the Silverado EV adjusts the pedal map, steering, active rear steer, suspension, and traction control to optimize stability under load. Regenerative braking supplements the conventional brakes on downhill grades, though Chevrolet recommends keeping the battery at or below 80% charge before long descents to maintain full regenerative braking capability. The Trail Boss trim adds rugged 35-inch all-terrain tires, a 2-inch lift, and available Terrain mode for uneven surfaces — a practical setup for hauling gear to remote campsites or boat launches.
The 2026 Tahoe offers full-size SUV capability with a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 lbs (3,810 kg) when equipped with the 5.3 L EcoTec3 V8 in 2WD and the Max Trailering Package. In 4WD with the same setup, it still manages 8,200 lbs (3,720 kg). For families in Mississauga who need both passenger space and trailering power, the Tahoe is a strong option — it can seat up to eight passengers and still pull a large boat or a camper.
Three engine choices are available: the 5.3 L EcoTec3 V8, the 6.2 L EcoTec3 V8, and the Duramax 3.0 L turbo-diesel inline-6. All three deliver towing ratings above 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg) with the standard Heavy-Duty Trailering Package, which includes an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler and engine oil cooler. Tow/Haul Mode with Grade Braking, an available integrated trailer brake controller, and up to 14 camera views round out the trailering tech.
The 2026 Colorado is a midsize pickup that punches above its weight class in towing. Equipped with the 2.7 L TurboMax 4-cylinder engine and the Trailering Package (including a limited-slip differential), the Colorado tows up to 7,700 lbs (3,493 kg). That is enough capacity for a pair of personal watercraft, a flat-deck utility trailer loaded with building materials, or a mid-size camper.
The ZR2 variant, built for off-road capability, is rated at 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) — still well above the 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) threshold. Standard trailering tech includes Trailer Sway Control through StabiliTrak, Hill Start Assist, and a standard Hitch View camera. An available integrated trailer brake controller and 7-pin wiring harness keep the setup turnkey for Ontario drivers who want a capable tow vehicle without the full-size truck footprint.
The 2026 Traverse earns its spot on this list as the only three-row midsize SUV in the Chevrolet lineup rated at 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). With the available Trailering Package (V92), the Traverse's 2.5 L turbo 4-cylinder engine — producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque — handles small boats, enclosed utility trailers, and pop-up campers. The AWD configuration with the Trailering Package achieves the full 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) rating with a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 10,470 lbs (4,749 kg).
Standard trailering features include a 7-pin wiring harness, Automatic Engine Grade Braking, Trailer Sway Control, and Hill Start Assist. Available Hitch View and Hitch Guidance cameras make backing up to a trailer straightforward, even in tight spaces. For families in the GTA who need three rows of seating on weekdays and towing duty on weekends, the Traverse offers both without requiring a second vehicle.
|
Vehicle |
Max Towing Capacity |
Engine / Powertrain |
Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Silverado 1500 |
13,300 lbs (6,033 kg) |
Duramax 3.0 L Turbo-Diesel I-6 |
Max Trailering Package |
|
Silverado EV |
12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) |
Dual-Motor Electric (Extended Range) |
Extended Range Battery |
|
Tahoe |
8,400 lbs (3,810 kg) |
5.3 L EcoTec3 V8 |
Max Trailering Package |
|
Colorado |
7,700 lbs (3,493 kg) |
2.7 L TurboMax 4-Cylinder |
Trailering Package |
|
Traverse |
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
2.5 L Turbo 4-Cylinder |
Trailering Package (V92) |
The right tow vehicle depends on what you're pulling, how often you're pulling it, and how much passenger or cargo space you need along the way. From the Traverse's 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) family-friendly capability to the Silverado 1500's heavy-duty 13,300 lbs (6,033 kg) rating, there's a 2026 GM vehicle built for every trailer in your driveway. Visit the team at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC in Mississauga to walk through the trailering packages, explore the available configurations, and find the setup that fits your next trip.
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