What Boats Can a Chevy Silverado Tow? [25 Examples]

If you currently own a Chevy Silverado, you already know that your pickup truck is extremely heavy duty and capable of almost anything. But, if you also consider yourself to be a boat or fishing enthusiast, you’re going to be blown away by what you’re about to read when it comes to your vehicle’s towing capacity. How Much Weight Can a Chevy Silverado Tow? The Chevy Silverado is perhaps one of the most efficient pickup trucks when it comes to towing capacity. With a maximum towing capacity of about 14,500 pounds, you can reasonably tow almost any boat or watercraft you can imagine. Though the actual towing capacity varies based on the model you purchased and any included towing packages, simply knowing this value doesn’t do much in the way of helping you find the right boat. You also need to know which types of boats would be within your vehicle’s towing capacity before finally making a purchase. What Types of Boats Can a Chevy Silverado Tow? With a towing capacity of up to 14,500 pounds, your options are essentially limitless when it comes to choosing a boat or watercraft to buy. In the table below, we’ll overview some of the types of boats you can expect your Chevy Silverado to be able to tow as well as the average dry weight for each of the included boat types. Please keep in mind how important it is to remain within your vehicle’s towing capacity. You absolutely should not consider buying a boat that’s nearing the upper limit of the Silverado’s towing capacity. You also need to factor in the weight of the trailer you intend to use with your boat. For example, a 14,500 towing capacity is impressive, but your vehicle won’t be able to handle towing a 14,000-pound boat as well as an 800-pound trailer. This would put the total weight to 300 pounds over your vehicle’s capacity. Considering this data, take a look at the types of boats your Chevy Silverado should be able to tow and the average dry weight of each type. Type of Boat Average Dry Weight Jon Boat 450 pounds Skiff Boat 900 pounds Bass Boat 1,700 pounds Cuddy Cabin Boat 2,700 pounds Pontoon Boat 3,100 pounds Wakeboard Boat 3,500 pounds Catamaran Boat 4,000 pounds Bay Boat 4,200 pounds Speed Boat 8,000 pounds Cabin Cruiser 8,700 pounds In the table above, we mentioned 10 different types of boats that your Chevy Silverado could tow if it has a towing capacity of 14,500 pounds. These are simply averages, however, and there are going to be models for each category that are well above or below the average dry weight provided above. 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel Jon Boat These are the most simple and straightforward type of fishing boat that you can use in freshwater. The boat is usually made of aluminum or wood and the physical design includes a flatter bottom and benches within the boat for seating purposes. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. Tracker Topper 1236 - 126 poundsTracker Grizzly 1648 - 638 poundsLowe Roughneck 2070 - 710 pounds Skiff Boat Skiff boats are very much similar to Jon boats in design and purpose. What makes these boats different from Jon boats are the physical shape, with the rear of skiff boats being squared and the front end being pointed. These boats can usually seat several people comfortably. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. 2019 Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC - 1,210 pounds18 HPX-V - 1,460 pounds2020 Carolina Skiff 21 LS - 2,069 pounds Bass Boat Bass boats are essentially smaller versions of the average fishing boat. These are intended for freshwater use and actually provide comfortable seating for one or more occupants at a time. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. Lowe 18' Catfish - 1,327 poundsNITRO Z18 - 1,700 poundsNITRO Z21 - 2,150 pounds Cuddy Cabin Boat Cuddy cabin boats offer a small cabin inside the boat that is usually used as sleeping quarters, a storage area, and even a restroom. This type of boat combines the best features of a bowrider and cruiser, but in a much more compact and convenient package. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. 642 Cuddy - 3,084 pounds2006 Bayliner 210 Cuddy - 3,090 poundsStingray 220CS - 3,143 pounds Pontoon Boat Pontoon boats are large deck boats that provide plenty of seating, ideal for parties, gatherings, and get-togethers. Not only do these boats seat sometimes up to 10 people, but you can also use them for fishing, water tubing, or just spending some time out on the lake. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. Sweetwater SW 2086 22′ - 1,773 poundsLowe SS210 20′ - 1,860 poundsG3 Suncatcher 22′ X22RF - 3,600 pounds Wakeboard Boat Wakeboard boats and ski boats provide the same function. These boats are usually used for watersport activities like water skiing, water tubing, and wake surfing because of the boat’s ability to create ideal waves behind the boat. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. Super Air Nautique 230 - 4,650 poundsCenturion Ri257 - 5,350 poundsMalibu M235 - 6,200 pounds Catamaran Boat Catamarans are constructed differently than most types of boats to include multiple hulls. These boats look similar to sailboats (with the addition of multiple hulls) and can be used for many water activities. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. C3800 Catamaran - 6,500 pounds Bay Boat The most practical boat for fishing in shallow water is the bay boat. In this type of boat, you’ll find features perfect for fishing and you might even be able to get it out in some deeper water if the current isn’t too strong. Speed Boat Speed boats are exactly what the name implies: A boat capable of gliding on the surface of the water at a relatively fast speed. These boats provide an exhilarating boating experience to all onboard. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. 32 Thunder Cat - 5,400 poundsCigarette - 9,000 poundsM35 - 9,250 pounds Cabin Cruiser Cabin cruisers are typically compared to yachts when it comes to physical appearance, though obviously much smaller in size. In each cabin cruiser, there will be a cabin onboard that can be used for sleeping, hanging out, or storing equipment. Here are a few examples of some models your vehicle could tow. Larson 274 Cabrio - 6,000 poundsBayliner 285 SB - 8,000 poundsRinker 301 Express Cruiser - 12,000 pounds More Information Purchasing your boat is the first step, but setting your vehicle up to be able to tow your new boat is a more complicated process. Below is some information about selecting a hitch and setting it up properly. Selecting a Hitch When you’re looking to set up a hitch to attach your new boat and trailer to your Chevy Silverado, you need to take into consideration your Silverado’s towing capacity and tongue weight. To determine the appropriate type of hitch to use with your Silverado, you need to know just how much your boat and trailer weigh. This is because each class of hitch supports a different load weight. Here is a simple guide to the classifications of hitches. Class 1: Up to 2,000 poundsClass 2: Up to 3,500 poundsClass 3: Up to 8,000 poundsClass 4: Up to 10,000 pounds Due to the fact that your Silverado is capable of towing well over 10,000 pounds, you can reasonably select any of the hitches above. Always err on the side of caution and go a class up, as it’s better to have a hitch more capable of towing your vehicle than less capable. 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel Closing Thoughts As we went over in this article, the Chevy Silverado is perhaps the most impressive pickup truck on the market when it comes to towing capacity. At 14,500, the Silverado’s towing capacity will allow you to tow nearly any type of boat that you might want. You can use these guidelines to help you select a boat that your Silverado can tow easily. If you don’t own a Chevy Silverado or want to evaluate many vehicles capable of towing a boat, check out our entire section on vehicle towing capacity! What Boats Can a Chevy Silverado Tow? [25 Examples]