2005 Chevrolet Express Towing Capacity

Find out how much the 2005 Chevrolet Express can pull, across 20 different trims.

In this article, we'll give you important data and details about the 2005 Chevrolet Express, including the towing capacity, engine size, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), curb weight, payload capacity, horsepower, torque, axle ratio, drive type, transmission type, and more.

Select a trim from the list below to view the towing capacity data. The 2005 Chevrolet Express trims have been ordered by towing capacity, from the highest value of 8,400 lbs to the lowest value of 3,900 lbs.

If you need any help explaining the terms used in the tables below, you can find a glossary of terms at the bottom of this article.

Upfitter Rear-wheel Drive G2500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,400
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,346
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,254
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Upfitter Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,200
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,470
Payload Capacity (lbs) 4,130
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Upfitter Rear-wheel Drive G2500 Extended Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,200
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,567
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,033
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,200
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,470
Payload Capacity (lbs) 4,130
Horsepower (hp) 285
Torque (lb-ft) 295
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Upfitter Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Extended Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,000
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,685
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,915
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Extended Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 8,000
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,685
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,915
Horsepower (hp) 285
Torque (lb-ft) 295
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 7,700
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,009
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,591
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,300
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
LS Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 7,700
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,009
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,591
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,300
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Base Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Extended Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 7,400
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,330
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,270
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,300
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
LS Rear-wheel Drive G3500 Extended Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 7,400
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 9,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,330
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,270
Horsepower (hp) 300
Torque (lb-ft) 360
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,300
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Base All-wheel Drive G1500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,202
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,998
Horsepower (hp) 295
Torque (lb-ft) 330
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Upfitter All-wheel Drive G1500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,202
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,998
Horsepower (hp) 295
Torque (lb-ft) 330
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G2500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,400
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,346
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,254
Horsepower (hp) 285
Torque (lb-ft) 295
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G2500 Extended Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,200
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,600
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,567
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,033
Horsepower (hp) 285
Torque (lb-ft) 295
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 155.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
LS All-wheel Drive G1500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,100
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,593
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,607
Horsepower (hp) 295
Torque (lb-ft) 330
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,600
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,000
Base All-wheel Drive G1500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 6,100
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,593
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,607
Horsepower (hp) 295
Torque (lb-ft) 330
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,600
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,000
Upfitter Rear-wheel Drive G1500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 4,300
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 4,846
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,354
Horsepower (hp) 195
Torque (lb-ft) 260
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Base Rear-wheel Drive G1500 Cargo Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 4,300
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 4,898
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,302
Horsepower (hp) 195
Torque (lb-ft) 260
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 0
LS Rear-wheel Drive G1500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 3,900
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,295
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,905
Horsepower (hp) 195
Torque (lb-ft) 260
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,600
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,000
Base Rear-wheel Drive G1500 Passenger Van
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 3,900
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 7,200
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,295
Payload Capacity (lbs) 1,905
Horsepower (hp) 195
Torque (lb-ft) 260
Axle Ratio 3.42
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 135.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,600
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,000

2005 Chevrolet Express Towing Capacity Terms

In the tables above, you'll see a lot of terms that you may not be familiar with. Here's a quick rundown of what they each mean and why each of them is important when it comes to towing capacity.

Maximum Towing Capacity

This is the maximum weight that the 2005 Chevrolet Express can tow.

If you are driving at altitudes above 3,280ft (or 1,000m) of sea level, the weight you can tow needs to be reduced by about 10% for every additional 3,280ft (or 1,000m) of altitude. This is because the air is thinner at higher altitudes, which means that the engine has to work harder to pull the same weight.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR the maximum weight of the 2005 Chevrolet Express when fully loaded. This includes the weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and any accessories or equipment that you have added to the vehicle.

You can find this number in the vehicle owner's manual, or on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb.

Curb Weight

The curb weight of the Chevrolet Express is the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of gas, but with no passengers or cargo and the standard options that come with the vehicle.

Payload Capacity

The term "payload" is the weight of all the things that you put in the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, and any accessories or equipment that you have added. It can be increased by upgrading certain options, for example:

  • Better suspension springs
  • Coil-over shock absorbers
  • A longer truck bed
  • Attached a trailer to the vehicle
  • Adding bed rails

Horsepower

Horsepower is a measure of the power of the engine. It is the amount of work that the engine can do in a given amount of time.

In simple terms, the more horsepower a vehicle has, the more weight it can pull.

Torque

Measured in lb-ft, torque is the amount of force that the engine can apply to the wheels. This is an important metric for towing because better torque means you can pull weight at lower RPMs, which is better for the engine.

Axle Ratio

The axle ratio is the ratio of the number of turns of the drive shaft for every one turn of the wheels. The higher the axle ratio, the more torque is applied to the wheels.

Drive Type

The drive type is the type of transmission that the 2005 Chevrolet Express has. There are three main types:

  • Front-wheel drive (FWD)
  • Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
  • All-wheel drive (AWD)

All-wheel drive is the best type of drive type for towing because it distributes the weight of the vehicle evenly across all four wheels. Rear-wheel drive is also acceptable, but front-wheel drive is not recommended because they aren't able to pull as much weight.

Transmission Type

Transmission usually means manual or automatic. Some vehicles have a towing mode that will protect the transmission from damage when towing heavy loads - which can cause overheating and failure.

Turbocharger

A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the engine, which increases the amount of fuel that can be burned. This increases the amount of power that the engine can produce.

If your vehicle has a turbocharger, it will be able to tow more weight than a vehicle without one.

Wheelbase

The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. The longer the wheelbase, the more weight the vehicle can tow.

Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The front GAWR is the maximum weight that the front axle can support. This is usually a number that is stamped on the axle itself.

Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The rear GAWR is the maximum weight that the rear axle can support. This is usually a number that is stamped on the axle itself.

More Chevrolet Express Vehicles by Year

The list below will let you compare the 2005 Chevrolet Express towing capacity to previous years.