2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity

Compare the ratings published for this model year, then match engine, cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, and listed equipment to the truck.

View full comparison chart Review every configuration and published tow type → Browse Sierra 1500 years Return to the available model years →

43 configuration groups · 128 published rating outcomes

Published Max
11,800 LBS
Rating Groups
43
Equipment Checks
28
ENGINE GROUPS

Published Ratings by Engine

Your engine determines your base towing limit. Start here to see the 2021 ratings for your specific Sierra 1500 configuration.

Equipment-dependent ratings remain labeled until the listed truck details are confirmed.

6.2L V8 6 configuration groups
Range: 6,300–11,800 lbs
Published max 11,800 LBS
5.3L V8 (L84) 11 configuration groups
Range: 7,500–11,300 lbs
Published max 11,300 LBS
5.3L V8 (L82) 7 configuration groups
Range: 8,900–9,900 lbs
Published max 9,900 LBS
3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 7 configuration groups
Range: 6,400–9,300 lbs
Published max 9,300 LBS
2.7L Turbo 5 configuration groups
Range: 8,400–9,200 lbs
Published max 9,200 LBS
4.3L V6 7 configuration groups
Range: 7,300–7,800 lbs
Published max 7,800 LBS
2021 Sierra 1500 towing chart
Engine group

6.2L V8

6,300–11,800 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

6.2L V8 configurations

6 groups 0 exact 6 equipment-conditioned 6,300 to 11,800 lbs published
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD / AT4 6.2L V8 3.23
Conventional: 8,800 lbsFifth-wheel: 6,300 lbsGooseneck: 6,300 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 6.2L V8 3.23
Conventional: 8,600 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,100 lbsGooseneck: 7,100 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD / AT4 6.2L V8 3.23
Fifth-wheel: 6,600 lbsGooseneck: 6,600 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 6.2L V8 3.23
Conventional: 9,000 lbsFifth-wheel: 6,800 lbsGooseneck: 6,800 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 6.2L V8 3.42
Conventional: 11,700 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,900 lbsGooseneck: 8,900 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 6.2L V8 3.42
Conventional: 11,800 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,400 lbsGooseneck: 8,400 lbs
17,800 lbs17,800 lbs17,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Engine group

5.3L V8 (L84)

7,500–11,300 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

5.3L V8 (L84) configurations

11 groups 0 exact 11 equipment-conditioned 7,500 to 11,300 lbs published
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,500 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,900 lbsGooseneck: 8,900 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD / AT4 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,500 lbsGooseneck: 7,500 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. Requires available AT4 trim. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,800 lbsGooseneck: 7,800 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. Requires available AT4 trim. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,100 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,600 lbsGooseneck: 7,600 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,500 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,600 lbsGooseneck: 8,600 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.23
Conventional: 9,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,000 lbsGooseneck: 8,000 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.42
Conventional: 11,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,600 lbsGooseneck: 9,600 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.42
Conventional: 10,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,300 lbsGooseneck: 9,300 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. Requires available AT4 trim. p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.42
Conventional: 10,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,800 lbsGooseneck: 8,800 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.42
Conventional: 11,300 lbsFifth-wheel: 10,200 lbsGooseneck: 10,200 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L84) 3.42
Conventional: 11,000 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,800 lbsGooseneck: 9,800 lbs
16,800 lbs16,800 lbs16,800 lbs
Requires available Max Trailering Package. p.17 Equipment check
Engine group

5.3L V8 (L82)

8,900–9,900 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

5.3L V8 (L82) configurations

7 groups 0 exact 7 equipment-conditioned 8,900 to 9,900 lbs published
Regular 2WD / Long / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,800 lbsGooseneck: 9,800 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Regular 4WD / Long / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,700 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,600 lbsGooseneck: 9,600 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,700 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,600 lbsGooseneck: 9,600 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,900 lbsGooseneck: 8,900 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,100 lbsGooseneck: 9,100 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,700 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,600 lbsGooseneck: 9,600 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 5.3L V8 (L82) 3.42
Conventional: 9,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,100 lbsGooseneck: 9,100 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
Base Sierra Trim Only p.16 Equipment check
Engine group

3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel

6,400–9,300 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel configurations

7 groups 3 exact 4 equipment-conditioned 6,400 to 9,300 lbs published
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 9,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,600 lbsGooseneck: 7,600 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Exact
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD / AT4 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 8,800 lbsFifth-wheel: 6,700 lbsGooseneck: 6,700 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 8,500 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,000 lbsGooseneck: 7,000 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD / AT4 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 8,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 6,400 lbsGooseneck: 6,400 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Equipment check
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 8,800 lbsFifth-wheel: 6,500 lbsGooseneck: 6,500 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Equipment check
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 9,300 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,800 lbsGooseneck: 7,800 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Exact
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel 3.23
Conventional: 9,000 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,100 lbsGooseneck: 7,100 lbs
15,000 lbs15,000 lbs15,000 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.17 Exact
Engine group

2.7L Turbo

8,400–9,200 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

2.7L Turbo configurations

5 groups 5 exact 8,400 to 9,200 lbs published
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 2.7L Turbo 3.42
Conventional: 9,100 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,000 lbsGooseneck: 9,000 lbs
14,500 lbs14,500 lbs14,500 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 2.7L Turbo 3.42
Conventional: 8,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,400 lbsGooseneck: 8,400 lbs
14,500 lbs14,500 lbs14,500 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 2.7L Turbo 3.42
Conventional: 8,900 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,600 lbsGooseneck: 8,600 lbs
14,500 lbs14,500 lbs14,500 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 2.7L Turbo 3.42
Conventional: 9,200 lbsFifth-wheel: 9,100 lbsGooseneck: 9,100 lbs
14,500 lbs14,500 lbs14,500 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 2.7L Turbo 3.42
Conventional: 9,000 lbsFifth-wheel: 8,700 lbsGooseneck: 8,700 lbs
14,500 lbs14,500 lbs14,500 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Engine group

4.3L V6

7,300–7,800 lbs

Towing Capacity Chart

4.3L V6 configurations

7 groups 7 exact 7,300 to 7,800 lbs published
Regular 2WD / Long / 2WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,800 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,800 lbsGooseneck: 7,800 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Regular 4WD / Long / 4WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,600 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,500 lbsGooseneck: 7,500 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Crew 2WD / Short / 2WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,600 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,500 lbsGooseneck: 7,500 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Crew 4WD / Short / 4WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,300 lbsGooseneck: 7,300 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Crew 4WD / Standard / 4WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,300 lbsGooseneck: 7,300 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Double 2WD / Standard / 2WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,600 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,600 lbsGooseneck: 7,600 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Double 4WD / Standard / 4WD 4.3L V6 3.42
Conventional: 7,400 lbsFifth-wheel: 7,300 lbsGooseneck: 7,300 lbs
12,800 lbs12,800 lbs12,800 lbs
No additional row condition listed p.16 Exact
Ratings

Tow types stay separate

Conventional, fifth-wheel, and gooseneck values are shown as distinct outcomes when GMC publishes more than one for a configuration.

Truck check

Equipment conditions stay visible

A condition attached to a rating remains part of the answer. It is not treated as an optional note.

Guide

Use the matching owner manual

Vehicle-wide towing guidance is not inferred from another GMC model or model year. Confirm it in the manual for this truck.

Technical Audit

Data sources

These citations identify the GMC trailering-guide pages used for the 2021 Sierra 1500 chart ratings.

Show source pages for the 2021 guide
DOC_ID: 2021-GMC DOCUMENT BASIS

2021-GMC-Trailering-Guide

Audit Scope PAGES: 16-17