Can a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tow a Key West 239 FS?
Yes
We estimate a loaded Key West 239 FS on its trailer at about 5,490 lb. 8 of 8 Silverado 1500 engine/package options pass with a 20% margin (for example the 2.7L TurboMax). Payload still needs checking against your door-jamb sticker: tongue weight plus two adults is about 849-1,124 lb.
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Key West 239 FS loaded towing weight
| Weight (Key West) | 2,700 lb |
| Engine: Yamaha 4.2L V6 F225-F300 (heaviest listed variant), the heaviest Yamaha that covers the boat's 300 HP max | 588 lb |
| Fuel: 100 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 610 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 390 lb |
| Trailer: ESTIMATE, 35% of boat + engine (no trailer weight published) | 1,200 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 5,490 lb |
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 towing ratings vs this boat
| Engine / package | Published rating (lb) | Tow | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L TurboMax | 8,900–9,500 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 5.3L V8 | 9,200–9,900 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 5.3L V8 + Max Trailering Package | 11,000–11,300 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 6.2L V8 (not ZR2) | 9,100–9,200 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 6.2L V8 + Max Trailering Package | 11,900–13,200 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel | 9,000–9,400 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 3.0L Duramax + Max Trailering Package | 11,800–13,300 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| ZR2 (6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax) | 8,700–8,800 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
"Published rating" is the lowest–highest conventional (ball-hitch) rating Chevrolet prints for that engine/package across cab, bed, drive and axle choices. PASS means the loaded trailer is at or under 80% of the lowest rating. Chevrolet: tongue weight should be 10-15% of loaded trailer weight and must not exceed rear axle rating, GVWR or max tongue load.
Tongue weight vs payload
Tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer: about 549–824 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 849–1,124 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
2.7L TurboMax PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 62% of the lowest published rating (8,900 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
5.3L V8 PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 60% of the lowest published rating (9,200 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
5.3L V8 + Max Trailering Package PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 50% of the lowest published rating (11,000 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
6.2L V8 (not ZR2) PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 60% of the lowest published rating (9,100 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
6.2L V8 + Max Trailering Package PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 46% of the lowest published rating (11,900 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
13,200 lb needs 20-in wheels.
3.0L Duramax diesel PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 61% of the lowest published rating (9,000 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
3.0L Duramax + Max Trailering Package PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 47% of the lowest published rating (11,800 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
13,000-13,300 lb needs 20-in wheels.
ZR2 (6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax) PASS
PASS 5,490 lb is 63% of the lowest published rating (8,700 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Payload isn't published in the maker's towing chart for this truck. Use the payload on your door-jamb sticker.
Confirm with your door-jamb sticker and owner's manual. Your exact truck's rating depends on cab, bed, drive, axle ratio, options and tires, and your boat's real weight depends on its engine, options, fuel and gear. When in doubt, weigh the rig at a CAT scale.
Gear you may need
Placeholder links (not affiliate links yet). Disclosure.
Trailer brake controller
Boat trailers over about 3,000 lb usually need working trailer brakes (check your state's law); an electric-over-hydraulic or electric setup needs a controller in the truck.
Class IV receiver hitch & ball mount
Match the ball mount drop to your trailer so the boat rides level; the hitch rating must cover the full loaded trailer.
Tongue weight scale
The only way to know your real tongue weight (10-15% of the loaded trailer) before it eats your payload.
Sources
- 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Chevrolet 2025 Trailering Guide, Silverado 1500 conventional trailer weight ratings (pp. 26-27), checked 2026-10-29
- Key West 239 FS: Key West model page (Weight, fuel capacity, max HP), checked 2026-10-29
- Engine weight: Yamaha Outboards spec page (Yamaha 4.2L V6 F225-F300 (heaviest listed variant), 588 lb)
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
Other boats with a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Yamaha SX220 (~5,510 lb)
- Tidewater 216 CC (~5,560 lb)
- Sea Hunt Ultra 234 (~5,580 lb)
- Yamaha AR220 (~5,600 lb)
- Tidewater 220 CC (~5,300 lb)
- Carolina Skiff 22 Ultra Elite (~5,690 lb)