GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Chart by Year: 2009 to 2027
The GMC Sierra 1500 tows up to 13,300 lb in 2026, and that number needs the 3.0L Duramax diesel, a Double Cab 2WD, the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels. For 2027, GMC advertises up to 13,500 lb with its new 5.7L V8.
Third-party charts put older trucks between 10,700 lb (2009 to 2013) and 12,500 lb (2017 and 2018). The charts below use GMC’s own documents for 2019, 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2027 and mark every other year as third-party.
GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity at a Glance
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GMC publishes two charts for the 2026 Sierra 1500: one for conventional trailers and one for fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers. The table shows the best rating for each engine in each chart. Every figure is for a properly equipped truck, and most trucks tow less.
| 2026 engine | Best conventional rating | Best fifth-wheel or gooseneck rating | What earns the conventional number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel | 13,300 lb | 8,900 lb | Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package, 20-inch wheels |
| 6.2L V8 | 13,100 lb | 8,200 lb | Crew Cab short bed 4WD, Max Trailering Package, 20-inch wheels |
| 5.3L V8 | 11,200 lb | 9,900 lb | Crew Cab short bed or Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package |
| TurboMax 2.7L | 9,400 lb | 9,300 lb | Regular Cab long bed 2WD |
Sierra 1500 Tow Ratings, Charted
Maximum trailer weight in pounds, model years 2009 to 2027.
Highest tow rating by model year
Best rating on any engine for that year. *No figure confirmed for 2011. Bars scaled to 13,500 lb.
2026 conventional rating by engine
GMC 2026 chart. The Duramax and 6.2L need the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels. The 5.3L needs the package.
What the package and wheels add
2026 Duramax, Double Cab standard bed 2WD. “Base” is GMC’s 15,000 lb combined weight rating. The two upgrades use the Max Trailering Package.
2026 fifth-wheel and gooseneck ratings
GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Chart by Year (2007 to 2027)
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The highest rating GMC has published for the Sierra 1500 is 13,300 lb in 2026, with 13,500 lb advertised for 2027. The table lists the best rating for each model year, in pounds, and where the number comes from.
| Model year | Highest rating | Engine and setup | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 13,500 | New 5.7L V8, per GMC’s website (Duramax listed up to 12,100) | GMC 2027 web page |
| 2026 | 13,300 | Duramax, Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package, 20-inch wheels | GMC 2026 chart |
| 2025 | 13,200 | Duramax | Third-party |
| 2024 | 13,200 | Duramax 2WD with Max Trailering Package (6.2L 4WD: 13,000) | GMC 2024 media kit |
| 2023 | 13,200 | Duramax 2WD with Max Trailering Package (6.2L 4WD: 13,000) | GMC 2023 media kit |
| 2022 | 13,200 | Duramax | Third-party |
| 2021 | 11,800 | Configuration not stated | Third-party |
| 2020 | 12,200 | 6.2L V8 | Third-party |
| 2019 | 12,200 | 6.2L V8, Max Trailering Package, SLT Double Cab 4×4 | GMC 2019 trailering guide |
| 2018 | 12,500 | 6.2L V8 Denali | Third-party |
| 2017 | 12,500 | 6.2L V8 Denali | Third-party |
| 2016 | 12,000 | 6.2L V8 Denali | Third-party |
| 2015 | 12,000 | 6.2L V8 Denali | Third-party |
| 2014 | 12,000 | 6.2L V8 Denali | Third-party |
| 2013 | 10,700 | 6.2L V8 | Third-party |
| 2012 | 10,700 | 6.2L V8 | Third-party |
| 2011 | Not confirmed | No figure found | None |
| 2010 | 10,700 | 6.2L V8, Max Trailering Package, conventional trailer | Third-party |
| 2009 | 10,700 | V8 with Max Trailering Package, conventional trailer | Third-party |
| 2007 and 2008 | Not confirmed | No figure found | None |
Three rows need a warning:
- 2020 and 2021. TowingSpecs lists 12,200 lb for 2020 and 11,800 lb for 2021, and the two do not fit together. We could not find a GMC document for either year, so we show both and do not average them.
- 2023. TowingSpecs lists 13,300 lb. GMC’s own 2023 media kit says 13,200 lb for the Duramax in 2WD with the Max Trailering Package, so we use GMC’s number.
- 2007, 2008 and 2011. The older version of this page showed 10,500 lb for 2007 and 2008. We could not confirm that figure in a GMC document, so we removed it.
What the 2027 Sierra 1500 changes
GMC’s 2027 Sierra 1500 page lists two new V8 gas engines and a different diesel figure. The page says the 5.7L V8 makes 402 hp and 428 lb-ft with a max towing capability of 13,500 lb, and the 6.6L V8 makes 481 hp and 501 lb-ft. It says the Duramax 3.0L makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft with “up to an available 12,100 lbs” of towing, and that the TurboMax now makes 350 hp and 455 lb-ft.
Those are marketing figures from gmc.com. We could not find a 2027 trailering chart, and the page text we read does not list a tow rating for the 6.6L or the TurboMax. In GMC’s 2026 chart, 12,100 lb is the Duramax Double Cab 2WD rating with 18-inch wheels, but GMC does not say what the 2027 number assumes. Wait for the 2027 trailering chart before you buy for the 13,500 lb figure. Our 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 review covers the generation before the V8 change.
Which Sierra 1500 year tows the most?
The 2026 Sierra 1500 with the Duramax tows the most of any year with a GMC chart, at 13,300 lb. A 2027 with the 5.7L V8 is advertised higher, at 13,500 lb. Before 2022, 2019 is the only year we can tie to a GMC document, at 12,200 lb with the 6.2L V8 and Max Trailering Package. Third-party charts list 12,500 lb for 2017 and 2018.
2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity by Engine, Cab and Drivetrain
Your cab, bed and drivetrain change the number as much as your engine does. The table shows GMC’s best 2026 conventional rating for each combination in its chart. A dash means GMC lists no rating for that engine in that body.
| Cab, bed and drivetrain | TurboMax | 5.3L V8 | 6.2L V8 | Duramax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab short bed 2WD | 9,100 | 11,200 | – | 13,100 |
| Crew Cab short bed 4WD | 8,800 | 10,800 | 13,100 | 12,800 |
| Crew Cab standard bed 4WD | 8,900 | 10,800 | 13,000 | 12,400 |
| Double Cab standard bed 2WD | 9,100 | 11,200 | – | 13,300 |
| Double Cab standard bed 4WD | 8,900 | 11,000 | – | 13,000 |
| Regular Cab long bed 2WD | 9,400 | 9,800 | – | – |
| Regular Cab long bed 4WD | 9,200 | 9,600 | – | – |
| Regular Cab standard bed 2WD | 9,000 | – | – | – |
| Regular Cab standard bed 4WD | 8,800 | – | – | – |
All weights are in pounds. The 5.3L figures above 9,800 lb need the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2L and Duramax figures in this table need the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels. The TurboMax Crew Cab standard bed 4WD figure of 8,900 lb needs MT tires, according to GMC’s chart footnotes. The same footnotes list lower AT4X maximums in the Crew Cab short bed 4WD: 8,700 lb for the 6.2L and 8,500 lb for the Duramax.
Two patterns show up in the table. Four-wheel drive costs 200 to 400 lb on the same body. The Duramax is rated higher in 2WD than in 4WD for every cab and bed it shares.
How much the Max Trailering Package and wheels add
The package and the wheel size together decide whether a 2026 Duramax or 6.2L truck tows about 9,000 lb or more than 13,000 lb. The table follows three trucks through GMC’s chart.
| Truck | Base rating (GCWR 15,000) | With Max Trailering Package and 18-inch wheels | With Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duramax, Double Cab standard bed 2WD | 9,300 | 12,100 (GCWR 17,800) | 13,300 (GCWR 19,000) |
| 6.2L V8, Crew Cab short bed 4WD | 8,900 | 11,800 (GCWR 17,800) | 13,100 (GCWR 19,100) |
| 5.3L V8, Double Cab standard bed 2WD | 9,500 | 11,200 (GCWR 16,800) | Not offered in the chart |
GCWR is the gross combined weight rating, the most the truck and trailer may weigh together. GMC’s chart lists a higher GCWR for each step up, which is why the rating rises. Moving the Duramax from 18-inch to 20-inch wheels adds 1,200 lb in GMC’s chart, and the 6.2L gains 1,300 lb.
2026 Sierra 1500 fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing capacity
The Sierra 1500 does have fifth-wheel and gooseneck ratings, and the best one is 9,900 lb. GMC publishes a separate “Max 5th wheel/gooseneck trailering” chart for the 2026 Sierra 1500, and it shows lower numbers than the conventional chart for every engine.
| 2026 engine | Best fifth-wheel or gooseneck rating | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3L V8 | 9,900 lb | Double Cab 2WD or 4WD, Max Trailering Package |
| TurboMax | 9,300 lb | Regular Cab long bed 2WD |
| Duramax | 8,900 lb | Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package, 18-inch or 20-inch wheels |
| 6.2L V8 | 8,200 lb | Crew Cab short bed 4WD, Max Trailering Package, 18-inch or 20-inch wheels |
The 5.3L is 9,700 lb without the package, in a Regular Cab long bed 2WD. GMC’s 2019 trailering guide says a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer’s kingpin weight should be 15 to 25 percent of the loaded trailer weight and up to 1,500 lb on the 1500 series.
At 15 to 25 percent, a 9,900 lb trailer would put 1,485 to 2,475 lb of pin weight on the truck, so check the pin weight against your payload before you buy a trailer. Confirm the figures for your year in your owner’s manual. Our Sierra 2500 towing capacity chart covers the heavy-duty trucks built for that job.
The Max Trailering Package (RPO NHT) Explained
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The Max Trailering Package is the option that unlocks the top Sierra 1500 ratings, and GMC marks it as a requirement on every rating above 9,800 lb in its 2026 chart. GMC’s 2023 and 2024 media kits also list the top 5.3L, 6.2L and Duramax tow ratings “with NHT,” the package’s option code.
GMC’s 2019 trailering guide describes what the package included that year: a 9.76-inch rear axle, a 3.42 axle ratio, an enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning, heavier-duty rear springs, a higher rear gross axle weight rating and a 220-amp alternator. We could not find a matching description for 2026, so the contents may differ now. Check your build sheet instead of assuming.
To confirm your truck has it, look for NHT on the RPO list, which is the parts identification label usually kept in the glove box. For setting up the trailer brake side of a rig, see our trailer brake controller guide.
3.0L Duramax vs 6.2L V8 vs 5.3L V8 vs TurboMax
The Duramax and 6.2L V8 are 200 lb apart in GMC’s 2026 chart, 13,300 lb against 13,100 lb, so the better choice depends on cab, drivetrain and payload. The table puts GMC’s own numbers side by side.
| Engine | Output (GMC 2024 media kit) | 2026 best conventional | 2026 best fifth-wheel | Max payload (GMC 2024 media kit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboMax 2.7L | 310 hp, 430 lb-ft | 9,400 | 9,300 | 2,240 lb 2WD, 2,120 lb 4WD |
| 5.3L V8 | 355 hp, 383 lb-ft | 11,200 | 9,900 | 2,240 lb 2WD, 2,110 lb 4WD |
| 6.2L V8 | 420 hp, 460 lb-ft | 13,100 | 8,200 | 1,820 lb 4WD (no 2WD) |
| Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel | 305 hp, 495 lb-ft | 13,300 | 8,900 | 1,890 lb 2WD, 1,880 lb 4WD |
The Duramax makes the most torque, at 495 lb-ft, and the best 2WD conventional rating. The 6.2L is not offered in 2WD in GMC’s chart, but in a Crew Cab 4WD it is rated 300 lb above the Duramax with the short bed (13,100 against 12,800 lb) and 600 lb above it with the standard bed (13,000 against 12,400 lb).
Weigh that against payload and the diesel’s torque rather than the headline number. Our 3.0L Duramax specs and Duramax generations chart cover the diesel in detail, and the SLE vs SLT comparison helps with the trim decision.
The payload column is the 2024 media kit’s maximum, and your own truck’s door-jamb number will be lower with options. Our Sierra 1500 payload chart lists payload by year.
Payload and Tongue Weight: The Limit You Hit First
Payload often runs out before the tow rating, because the trailer’s tongue weight counts against it. GMC’s 2019 trailering guide says tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight for a weight-distributing hitch, and that a weight-distributing hitch and sway control are required above 7,000 lb.
Here is a worked example using the 2024 media kit’s top Duramax payload of 1,890 lb. A 10,000 lb trailer with 12 percent tongue weight puts about 1,200 lb on the hitch. That leaves about 690 lb for the driver, passengers, cargo and any accessories in the truck.
A heavier crew or a loaded bed shrinks the margin quickly. A trailer at the 13,300 lb limit would put 1,330 to 1,995 lb on the hitch at the same 10 to 15 percent, and the top of that range is above the 1,890 lb maximum payload.
Our towing capacity calculation guide walks through the full math with GVWR and GCWR. Aftermarket changes also matter: a lift kit or heavy accessories from our Sierra 1500 accessories guide can add weight and reduce payload.
GMC Sierra 1500 vs Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 Towing (2026)
The Sierra 1500’s 13,300 lb is 1,690 lb above the Ram 1500 and 200 lb below the F-150. Each number is the manufacturer’s headline maximum for 2026, and each needs a specific build.
| 2026 half-ton | Headline maximum | Setup | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 13,300 lb | 3.0L Duramax, Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package, 20-inch wheels | GMC 2026 chart |
| Ford F-150 | 13,500 lb | 3.5L EcoBoost V6, Max Tow/Haul Package (per Ford’s page) | ford.com |
| Ram 1500 | 11,610 lb | 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output, Quad Cab 4×2, 3.92 axle | Ram 2026 guide |
Ford’s page footnotes its 13,500 lb figure with a package requirement, but we could not read the full text of the “best-in-class” footnote. For the Ram numbers, see our Ram 1500 towing capacity guide and Ram towing capacity chart by year. For Ford, see our F-150 towing chart, and for the Sierra’s twin, the Chevy Silverado 1500 towing capacity chart.
How to Find Your Sierra 1500’s Exact Towing Capacity
Your own rating depends on a handful of build details, and you can read all of them off the truck.
- Open the driver’s door and read the label on the door jamb for the GVWR and payload figure.
- Find the RPO list, usually in the glove box. Look for NHT (Max Trailering Package), the axle code and the wheel option.
- Note the cab (Regular, Double or Crew), bed length, 2WD or 4WD, and engine from the build sheet or window sticker.
- Match that combination in GMC’s trailering chart for your model year on GMC’s trailering page. GMC lists current-year charts there, so for older trucks use your owner’s manual.
- Subtract the weight of passengers, cargo and tongue weight. GMC notes that the weight of passengers, cargo, options and accessories reduces what you can tow.
GMC states that its maximum trailering ratings are “intended for comparison purposes only,” so your owner’s manual and label are the final word.
GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity FAQ
How much can a GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
A 2026 Sierra 1500 tows up to 13,300 lb with the Duramax, Double Cab 2WD, Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels. The 6.2L V8 is rated up to 13,100 lb, the 5.3L V8 up to 11,200 lb and the TurboMax up to 9,400 lb. Most trucks are rated lower.
What is the towing capacity of the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500?
It ranges from 8,500 lb (the AT4X Duramax) to 13,300 lb depending on engine, cab, bed and drivetrain, according to GMC’s 2026 chart. The top rating of 13,300 lb belongs to the Duramax Double Cab 2WD with the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels.
What is the towing capacity of the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500?
GMC’s website advertises up to 13,500 lb for the new 5.7L V8 and up to 12,100 lb for the Duramax. We could not find a 2027 trailering chart yet, so treat these as marketing figures until GMC publishes one.
Can a GMC Sierra 1500 tow a fifth wheel?
Yes. GMC’s 2026 chart lists fifth-wheel and gooseneck ratings for the Sierra 1500, up to 9,900 lb with the 5.3L V8 and the Max Trailering Package. The Duramax is rated up to 8,900 lb and the 6.2L up to 8,200 lb. Check pin weight against your payload before you buy a trailer.
What is the towing capacity of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
A third-party chart lists 11,800 lb for 2021, but we could not find a GMC document for that year. The same chart lists 12,200 lb for 2020, so the two years do not line up. Check your door-jamb label and owner’s manual.
Does the Sierra 1500 come with a diesel?
Yes. The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel is available, and GMC’s 2024 media kit says it became standard on the AT4X for 2024. GMC’s 2023 media kit says the second-generation Duramax added 10 percent more horsepower and 7.6 percent more torque that year. It makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft.
How much does the Max Trailering Package add?
In GMC’s 2026 chart, a Duramax Double Cab 2WD goes from 9,300 lb to 12,100 lb with the package and 18-inch wheels, and to 13,300 lb with 20-inch wheels. The 6.2L V8 Crew Cab 4WD goes from 8,900 lb to 13,100 lb.
What is the highest GMC Sierra 1500 towing capacity ever?
The highest rating we found in a GMC document is 13,300 lb for the 2026 Duramax. GMC’s website advertises 13,500 lb for the 2027 5.7L V8, which would be higher if it holds up in the final chart.
Does 4WD reduce Sierra 1500 towing capacity?
Yes, by a few hundred pounds. In GMC’s 2026 chart, the Duramax Double Cab is rated 13,300 lb in 2WD and 13,000 lb in 4WD, and the 5.3L Crew Cab short bed is rated 11,200 lb in 2WD and 10,800 lb in 4WD.
Which Sierra 1500 engine is best for towing?
The Duramax has the highest conventional rating at 13,300 lb and the most torque at 495 lb-ft. The 6.2L V8 is close at 13,100 lb and is the choice if you want a V8 in a Crew Cab 4WD. The 5.3L V8 reaches 11,200 lb with the Max Trailering Package.
Related Sierra and Towing Guides
- GMC Sierra 1500 payload chart
- GMC Sierra payload capacity chart
- GMC Sierra 2500 towing capacity chart
- Chevy Silverado 1500 towing capacity chart
- 3.0L Duramax specs
- Ram towing capacity chart by year
- Ford towing capacity chart
- How to calculate towing capacity
- Best accessories for GMC Sierra 1500
- 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 review
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