The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 Has Secret Towing Advantage
You wouldn’t expect an off-roading truck to be good for towing, but the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 is full of surprises. If you want an off-roading truck that’s also great for towing, then it’s time to see what the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 can do.
How much can the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 tow?
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 can tow up to 8,900 lbs. This beats plenty of rivals in the class. For example, the king of off-roading trucks or the Ram 1500 TRX can only tow up to 8,100 lbs.
While the regular Ford F-150 Raptor can tow up to 8,200 lbs, the Ford F-150 Raptor R comes close with the ability to tow up to 8,700 lbs.
According to Cars.com, the Silverado ZR2 can carry a tongue weight of up to 890 lbs, and they tested a model that can carry up to 1,258 pounds of payload. They used a 4,700-pound travel trailer to see what the truck could do.
The trailer was paired with a 600 lb tongue weight, and it’s not aerodynamic at all. It’s pretty much an awkward box with a high center of gravity. But that didn’t matter.
Is the Silverado 1500 ZR2 good for towing?
Yes, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 is excellent for towing. It has a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a single axle ratio of 3.23.
This axle ratio is slightly less than what typically comes with off-roading or rucks built for towing. However, the low-range first gear helps make up for the difference.
The truck had no problem getting up to speed to merge on a 70 mph highway filled with traffic and an uphill on-ramp. In the city, the truck provided smooth transmission shifts, and the trailer felt stable.
While the suspension felt a little soft, some of the movement could have been caused by the 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. While climbing up 10 percent grades, you could feel the wind hitting the trailer and pushing the side of the truck a little.
But it never felt out of control or unsafe. This is normal compared to rivals, just a bit more noticeable. When transitioning from throttle to brake on freeway exits, the truck provides quick downshifts, and the brakes are confident for smooth stops.
Does the Silverado have good towing tech?
Yes, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 has trailing tech that makes the job safer and easier. The trailer length indicator measures the length of our trailer and will warn you if it’s unsafe to change lanes. Plus, the jackknife alert system will let you know if you’re at risk.
There are 15 camera views to make hitching up easier, to help maneuver around tight obstacles, and to keep an eye on things while in motion. The infotainment screen can display two views at once, plus there’s an in-bed camera.
Other features include:
- Custom trailer profiles
- Pre-departure checklists
- Trailer lighting diagnostics
- Tire pressure and temperature monitoring
- Trailer Sway Control
- Hill start assist
- Auto Grade Braking
- Trailer Theft Alert
- Electronic Parking Brake Hookup Assist
- Brake Gain Memory
So, while off-roading trucks usually just dominate the wild, the Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 goes above and beyond its duties with more towing power and tech.
