What kind of towing you will be doing determines what your Sierra 1500 Max Towing Capacity is. Different engine sizes, cab sizes, bed lengths, hitch type and transmission all play a role in how much your GMC pickup can tow.

Unsure of which type hitch you will be needing? Take a look at our brief guide on the differences between a conventional ball hitch and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch.


      Conventional Ball Hitch:
  • Standard for lighter- to medium-weight trailering whether you are towing a recreational trailer, boat trailer, or conventional utility trailer.
   
Gooseneck Hitch:
  • A hitch ball is mounted in the middle of the Sierra pickup bed, this shifts the weight over the rear axle, allowing it to carry heavier loads.
  • Gooseneck hitches and trailers allow sharper corners to be taken, making maneuverability easier.
  • More commonly used with heavier travel trailers, horse trailers, and/or other large trailers.   
  
 Fifth-Wheel Hitch:
  • These hitches are designed for heavy trailering. Located in the bed of a Sierra truck, these hitches position the trailer's kingpin weight over, or slightly in front of, the Sierra's rear axle.
  • Rather than a hitch ball mounted in the bed of your truck, a fifth-wheel hitch is a horseshoe shaped plate that is mounted within the bed. The kingpin on the trailer slides into a groove on the plate and locks it into place.
  • More commonly used with heavier travel trailers, horse trailers, and/or other large trailers.
  • Fifth-wheel hitches take up a size amount of space in your truck bed, so take that into consideration when decided which hitch type you will be using.
 

 

 

Conventional Ball Hitch

Gooseneck/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Hitch

 

 

Axle Ratio

Max Trailer/Towing Capacity (lbs)

Axle Ratio

Max Trailer/Towing Capacity (lbs)

EcoTec3 4.3L V-6

Regular Cab Standard Box 2WD

3.23

6,000

3.23

6,000

Regular Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.42

7600

3.42

7500

Regular Cab Long Box 2WD

3.23

5900

3.23

5900

Regular Cab Long Box 4WD

3.42

7400

3.42

7400

Double Cab Standard Box 2WD

3.23

5600

3.23

5600

Double Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.42

7100

3.42

7000

Crew Cab Short Box 2WD

3.23

5500

3.23

5500

Crew Cab Short Box 4WD

3.42

7000

3.42

7000

 

 

 

 

 

 

EcoTec3 5.3L V-8

Regular Cab Standard Box 2WD

3.08

6900

3.08

6900

3.42

8900

3.42

8900

Regular Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.08

6600

3.08

6600

3.42

8600

3.42

8600

Regular Cab Long Box 2WD

3.08

6800

3.08

6700

3.42

9800

3.42

9700

Regular Cab Long Box 4WD

3.08

6500

3.08

6500

3.42

9500

3.42

9500

Double Cab Standard Box 2WD

3.08

6400

3.08

6400

3.42

9400

3.42

9400

Double Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.08

6200

3.08

6200

3.42

9200

3.42

9200

Double Cab Standard Box 2WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

11100

 

 

3.73

11100

 

 

Double Cab Standard Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

10800

3.42

10800

3.73

10900

3.42

10800

Crew Cab Short Box 2WD

3.08

6400

-

-

3.42

9400

-

-

Crew Cab Short Box 4WD

3.08

6100

-

-

3.42

9100

-

-

Crew Cab Short Box 2WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

11000

 

 

3.73

11000

 

 

Crew Cab Short Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

10800

 

 

3.73

10800

 

 

Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.08

6100

3.08

6000

3.42

9100

3.42

8100

Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

10700

 

 

3.73

10800

 

 

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Short Box 2WD

3.42

9300

-

-

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Short Box 4WD

3.42

9100

-

-

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.42

9100

3.42

8100

 

 

 

 

 

 

EcoTec3 6.2L V-8

Regular Cab Standard Box 2WD

-

-

-

-

Regular Cab Standard Box 4WD

-

-

-

-

Regular Cab Long Box 2WD

-

-

-

-

Regular Cab Long Box 4WD

-

-

-

-

Double Cab Standard Box 2WD

3.23

9400

3.23

9000

Double Cab Standard Box 2WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

12500

3.42

1160

Double Cab Standard Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

11800

3.42

1100

Double Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.23

9100

3.23

8600

Crew Cab Short Box 2WD

3.23

9300

-

-

Crew Cab Short Box 4WD

3.23

9100

-

-

Crew Cab Short Box 2WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

12500

-

-

Crew Cab Short Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

11700

-

-

Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.23

9100

-

-

Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD with Max Trailering Package

3.42

11700

-

-

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Short Box 2WD

3.23

9300

-

-

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Short Box 4WD

3.23

9100

-

-

Sierra Denali Crew Cab Standard Box 4WD

3.23

9100

-

-

Looking to purchase a new GMC Sierra 1500? Dave Smith Motors has tons in stock for you to choose from. Take a look at our great selection of inventory. If you're looking for a Crew Cab, a Regular, Cab, or a Double Cab, chances are we have it. Give us a call at 800-635-8000 or click here to have one of our Sales Experts contact you via email for a hassle free* buying experience. 

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