Route 1 Chevrolet - Which 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine is best for towing and daily driving near Peotone, IL?
Selecting the right powertrain shapes how confidently your truck works, tows, and commutes around Will County backroads and I-57. For drivers near Peotone, IL, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offers four distinct engines, each tuned for a different balance of torque, efficiency, and everyday drivability. At Route 1 Chevrolet, our goal is to match your routine — jobsite hauling, boat launching at the Kankakee River, or long interstate runs — to the engine that fits best.
Below, we break down how the TurboMax™, 5.3L EcoTec®3 V8, 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, and Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel translate to real-world capability. Use this guide as a quick decision framework, then plan a drive with our team to feel the difference firsthand.
Start by zeroing in on how you use your truck most days, then consider how often you’ll push into heavy towing or off-road work. Here is a simple way to align your needs with Silverado power:
- Daily driver with light towing: Choose TurboMax™ for best-in-class standard 430 lb.-ft. of torque and smooth 8-speed efficiency.
- Balanced mix of commuting and weekend towing: Pick the 5.3L EcoTec®3 V8 for tried-and-true V8 response and a refined 10-speed automatic.
- Frequent heavy loads or off-road performance: Go 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 for 420 horsepower, 460 lb.-ft. of torque, and confident high-capacity trailering.
- Long-distance towing with fuel-sipping highway manners: Select the Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel for 495 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class 28 MPG highway.
TurboMax™ is standard on WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss, and it packs a serious punch: 310 horsepower and an outstanding 430 lb.-ft. of torque. Around Peotone and Manteno, that means brisk acceleration with a trailer on the hitch and relaxed drivability in traffic. Active Fuel Management™ and Automatic Stop/Start help you save at the pump without sacrificing capability.
The 5.3L EcoTec®3 V8 brings classic V8 character with 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. It is standard on LTZ and High Country and available across key trims. Mated to a 10-speed automatic and featuring Dynamic Fuel Management, it strikes an appealing balance of strength and refinement for drivers who tow on weekends and commute during the week.
For customers who routinely haul heavier loads or want maximum performance headroom, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 delivers 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque with a 10-speed automatic. It is available on RST (Crew Cab 4x4), LT Trail Boss, LTZ (4x4), ZR2, and High Country (4x4). Coupled with available off-road hardware — including a factory 2-inch lift, Autotrac® 2-speed transfer case, and, on ZR2, Multimatic DSSV™ dampers — this setup is ready for worksite gravel and weekend trails alike.
If highway range and diesel torque are your priorities, the Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel shines with 305 horsepower and a robust 495 lb.-ft. of torque, along with best-in-class 28 MPG highway. It offers available towing capability up to 13,300 lbs. and is the only diesel in its class. The Duramax is standard on ZR2 and available on Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country, making it a smart choice for regular towing on I-57 or long trips with fewer fuel stops.
Power is just the start. Silverado’s trailering technology helps make tough jobs feel easier. Available eight-camera system with up to 14 views supports hitching, tight maneuvering, and lane changes. Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert provides visual mirror alerts when a moving vehicle is in your trailer’s side blind zone. The In-Vehicle Trailering App creates custom trailer profiles and step-by-step pre-departure checklists so you can roll out with confidence.
For advanced convenience, available Super Cruise® driver assistance technology on High Country enables hands-free driving on compatible roads — even while towing — a combination competitors do not offer. It is a difference-making asset on longer hauls between Peotone and Chicagoland that helps you arrive more refreshed.
Don’t overlook the bed and payload benefits that support real workdays. Durabed features roll-formed high-strength steel, 12 standard tie-downs rated at 500 lbs. per corner, and best-in-class standard cargo volume up to 89.1 cu. ft. Available Multi-Flex Tailgate adds six configurations, including a full-width step rated up to 375 lbs., load stops for longer materials, and a work surface that turns your tailgate into a mobile desk.
Still deciding between engines? Visit Route 1 Chevrolet in Momence to compare throttle response, cabin quietness, and towing behavior back-to-back. Our team will help you pair the right 2026 Silverado 1500 configuration with your daily routine near Peotone, IL — from hitching a camper to navigating winter backroads.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Silverado 1500?
When properly equipped, Silverado 1500 offers a max available trailering capacity of up to 13,300 lbs. The Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel offers available towing capability up to 13,300 lbs., and Silverado’s trailering features help you make the most of that rating.
Does Super Cruise® work while towing?
Yes. Available on High Country, Super Cruise® connected by OnStar® supports hands-free driving on compatible roads even while towing. No other competitor offers a hands-free driving system with towing capability.
How many camera views are available, and which trims offer them?
Silverado offers eight available cameras with up to 14 views to help with hitch guidance, tight maneuvering, and monitoring blind zones. This technology is available on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, ZR2, and High Country.
What is the maximum payload and how does Durabed help?
Max available payload is up to 2,260 lbs. Durabed’s 12 standard tie-downs (500 lbs. per corner) and best-in-class standard cargo volume up to 89.1 cu. ft. help secure and carry more with less hassle.
Which trims offer each engine?
TurboMax™ is standard on WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss. The 5.3L EcoTec®3 V8 is standard on LTZ and High Country and available on several other trims. The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 is available on RST (Crew Cab 4x4), LT Trail Boss, LTZ (4x4), ZR2, and High Country (4x4). The Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel is standard on ZR2 and available on Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.