Walkinshaw’s new fifth-wheel package transforms the Chevrolet Silverado HD into a true heavyweight on the Australian market. This upgrade, developed by the engineering firm formerly behind Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), allows the pickup to tow up to 8,000 kg.
What does this mean in practice?
To understand the scale, 8,000 kg is roughly six Toyota Corolla sedans or three BYD Shark6 pickups. Translating to local units, that’s the weight of about 100 red kangaroos. For Australian drivers, this is a significant leap in capability, as standard Silverado HD models can only tow up to 3,500 kg with a 50mm ball or 4,500 kg with a 70mm hitch.
How does it work?
The system, developed in collaboration with CURT, a North American supplier of towing equipment for General Motors, relocates the hitch point from behind the rear bumper to a position directly over the rear axle. This design distributes the trailer’s load onto the chassis frame rather than the tow hitch, reducing trailer sway and eliminating the “porpoising” effect under heavy loads.
The result is a significant increase in towing capacity. The new fifth-wheel package nearly doubles this figure to 8,000 kg when equipped with the integrated air brake system.
The full package includes dual air compressors, air tanks, hydraulic and pneumatic brake equipment, additional trailer connections mounted in the body, integrated warning systems, and a chassis reinforcement kit. A tool-less quick-release mechanism allows owners to remove the hitch and restore a flat cargo platform when it is not needed.
An important caveat
Of course, all this power comes with its own nuances. To legally tow the full 8,000 kg, the Silverado must be registered as an NB2 class vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of 5,148 kg. This classification requires a truck driver’s license, even when the vehicle is driven empty. In other words, after installing this kit, everyone who gets behind the wheel, even without a trailer, must have a special truck license.
The price of the package ranges from approximately 18,000 to 20,000 Australian dollars (around $11,700 to $13,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate), with production beginning in the third quarter of 2026. This may seem excessive, but essentially it allows Silverado HD owners with the appropriate license to obtain performance that is often only available in specialized commercial vehicles in Australia.
This upgrade is a significant step for the Australian market, where demand for heavy-duty towing capabilities is growing. It not only enhances the practicality of the Silverado HD for owners needing to transport large loads but also sets a new standard for pickups in this segment. At the same time, the requirement for a truck license could become a substantial barrier for some potential buyers, limiting the circle of those who can fully utilize these capabilities.