Why You May Need to Check the Towing Capacity on Your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado

General Motors will be updating some owners on the correct trailering and towing capacity for their 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s and 2020 GMC Sierra 1500s. The automaker will be sending out new towing capacity labels and asking the owners to install them on their vehicles. The new labels will replace the labels that came on the new trucks. GM is also asking dealers to hold new vehicles on their lots until the labels can be updated.

Why GM is Sending Out New Capacity Labels

GM is calling the label replacements a customer satisfaction program. Apparently, some of the trucks have incorrect towing information on the original labels. The labels usually spell out just how heavy a load the vehicle can safely tow or trailer. Vehicles that are able to tow or pull a trailer are required to have the labels. The stickers are typically on the driver’s door and more information is in the owner’s manual. The vehicle manufacturer takes into account the powertrain of the vehicle, its gross vehicle weight, its axle rating and the weight of the trailer and the load it is carrying. It is dangerous to ever exceed the maximum towing capacity listed by a manufacturer.

According to the website GM Authority, which first reported the story, the issue is not an immediate danger to the driver or passengers. However, it is important that truck owners know exactly what their correct capacity limits are. The fact that GM is not issuing an immediate recall for these vehicles would tell me that the stickers are underestimating the capacity limits not overestimating them. Any overestimating would be dangerous. A load that is too heavy could make the truck hard to maneuver or cause the driver to lose control. That is apparently not the case in this situation.

How GM Will Address the Problem

General Motors will send out new trailering and towing labels to the owners of the affected vehicles. The owners will be asked to install the new stickers themselves. GM Authority says that trucks on dealer lots should not be delivered, traded or used as demos until the correct labels are installed.

GM is not saying how many 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s and 2020 GMC Sierra 1500s are affected. Customers with concerns are asked to contact Chevrolet Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC Customer Service at 1-800-462-8782.

There were reportedly similar label issues with some 2021 Chevrolet Tahoes and 2021 GMC Yukon SUVs.

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