Manoli Katakis 
Back in 2019, MC&T first got official word that General Motors was looking to increase the max towing specs on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks equipped with the 3.0L LM2 Duramax diesel engine. Because while its smoothness and class-leading fuel economy are impressive, the towing specs fell way short of the competition. So for the 2022 Silverado, Chevrolet announced a big fix to that: a 4,000 pound increase in maximum towing, to 13,300 pounds in 2WD configuration. That’s a 20 percent improvement, and now ahead of the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which has a max tow rating of 12,560 pounds.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax Engine Upgrades
The biggest upgrades to the 2022 Silverado 1500 equipped with the Duramax straight-six engine were with the chassis, which now allow for the Max Tow Package. The engine is paired exclusively to GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Output for the LM2 remains the same for the 2022 model year, at 277 horsepower, and 460 lb-ft of torque. So it’s good to see that the power wasn’t compromised in any way.
Here’s where it gets more interesting. 2022 Silverado 1500 customers will not sacrifice max torque or max towing when it comes between choosing between the LM2 Duramax or the top-shelf 6.2L L87 V8. Both engines feature 460 lb-ft of torque, and both can pull 13,300 pounds in the right configuration. The big decision would be choosing between horsepower (420 in the V8 vs 277 in the diesel), or fuel economy (which is not yet available, but the Duramax is expected to outshine the L87).
Not Available On ZR2
Despite diesel engines having a lot of appeal when it comes to off-roading, the LM2 Duramax diesel engine is not available on the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, which will be powered exclusively by the 6.2L L87 V8 engine when the truck launches in Q1 2022. That could perhaps change, but for now, look for the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine to be available on LT, RST, LTZ and High Country trim levels. It’s not available in regular cab configurations, or the entry WT trim level.
Fuel economy for the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax is expected to be announced at a later date, and the same goes for the rest of the engine lineup.
Production of the LM2 Duramax is otherwise paused due to supply chain issues stemming from the global microchip shortage, but it’s good to know that Chevrolet plans on keeping the midrange diesel engine around.
Any idea if this means the Colorado with the same engine will get a towing bump too? Looking for a midsized truck that can tow just a bit more than what the current Colorado is rated for so I have a healthy margin of error.
The Colorado doesn’t have this engine, but it does have a 2.8L Duramax turbo four cylinder. The 3.0L Duramax is exclusive to the GM T1 trucks and SUVs.
It doesn’t have the same engine.
For those out there that haven’t towed before I’ll say this.
If your just going to tow a utility trailer every once in a while it’s doesn’t matter which engine you choose. But if your going to tow something that weighs a lot.
And your going to tow it along ways. the Diesel is the only way to go. the gas mileage will be so much better in the diesel even not towing. And if your going
to tow out west where the grades are steeper and longer the diesel is the only way to go. The road between Bullhead city, Az and Flagstaff, Az has a 6% grade for 13 miles. The road to Leadville, Co has a 10%
With an 8000 lb trailer in tow, I would much rather have the 420 hp of the 6.2 mated with the 10 speed transmission because it’s going to cruise easily up that grade vs the mini duramax which will get there, only much more slowly.