2021 Model Year

Source: Official GMC Towing Guide

GMC SIERRA 1500
Towing Capacity

38 configurations · Official Manufacturer Data

11,800lbs max tow

Best-case across all configurations

Model Year

2024 2023 202220212020 2019

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TONGUE WEIGHT ESTIMATOR

ESTIMATE REAL-WORLD TONGUE WEIGHT BEFORE YOU TOW

Trailer GVWR (lbs)

Maximum loaded weight of your trailer

Percentage method

ADD REAL-WORLD EXTRAS

Propane tanks (20 lb)

× 40 lbs

Lead acid batteries

× 60 lbs

Fresh water (gal)

× 8.3 lbs

Enter your trailer GVWR to calculate estimated tongue weight.

Towing Calculator

Configuration

Driver Weight (lbs)

Passengers

Avg Passenger Weight (lbs)

Bed Cargo Weight (lbs)

Hitch + WDH Equipment (lbs)

Ball hitch: 30–50 lbs · WDH: 100–200 lbs

Trailer Tongue Weight (lbs)

Max Rated

11,800

lbs · OEM rating

−

Load Penalty

lbs · above baseline

Available to Tow

11,800

lbs · your setup

Available (100%)

⚡

Tow package required: Max Trailering Package (NHT)

Uses SAE J2807 standard (150 lb driver baseline). Always verify ratings with your owner's manual and dealer before towing.

Engine

Cab

Bed

Drive

Max Tow

Payload

6.2L V8 gasoline

420 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

MAX11,800lbs

pkg req.

—

6.2L V8 gasoline

420 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

11,700lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

11,300lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

11,200lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

11,000lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

10,900lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

10,900lbs

pkg req.

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Regular Cab

Long Bed

2WD

9,900lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

9,700lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

9,700lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Regular Cab

Long Bed

4WD

9,700lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

9,500lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

9,500lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

9,400lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,400lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,400lbs

—

3L I6 Turbo diesel

277 hp · 460 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

9,300lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

9,200lbs

—

3L I6 Turbo diesel

277 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

9,200lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,200lbs

—

2.7L I4 Turbo gasoline

310 hp · 348 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

9,200lbs

—

5.3L V8 gasoline

355 hp · 383 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,100lbs

—

2.7L I4 Turbo gasoline

310 hp · 348 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

9,100lbs

—

6.2L V8 gasoline

420 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,000lbs

—

3L I6 Turbo diesel

277 hp · 460 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,000lbs

—

2.7L I4 Turbo gasoline

310 hp · 348 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

9,000lbs

—

2.7L I4 Turbo gasoline

310 hp · 348 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

8,900lbs

—

2.7L I4 Turbo gasoline

310 hp · 348 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

8,900lbs

—

3L I6 Turbo diesel

277 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

8,800lbs

—

6.2L V8 gasoline

420 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

8,600lbs

—

3L I6 Turbo diesel

277 hp · 460 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

8,500lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Regular Cab

Long Bed

2WD

7,800lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

2WD

7,600lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

2WD

7,600lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Regular Cab

Long Bed

4WD

7,600lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Short Bed

4WD

7,400lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Crew Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

7,400lbs

—

4.3L V6 gasoline

285 hp · 305 lb-ft

Double Cab

Standard Bed

4WD

7,400lbs

—

* Amber values indicate highest available tow rating for current filter. "pkg req." = tow package required.

⚠ IMPORTANT — READ BEFORE TOWING

Figures shown are base configuration ratings from official manufacturer towing guides. Your actual capacity may differ based on installed options and accessories. For non-HD trucks, payload is often the limiting factor — not tow rating. Always check: (1) the yellow sticker on your driver door jamb for actual payload, (2) your hitch receiver weight rating, and (3) real-world tongue weight including propane, batteries and water.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500 can tow between 7,400 and 11,800 lbs, depending on the engine, cab style, bed length, and drivetrain. The maximum rated towing capacity of 11,800 lbs is achieved with the optimal configuration when properly equipped.

The 6.2L V8 gasoline delivers the highest towing capacity on the 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500, rated at up to 11,800 lbs. It produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Yes — reaching the maximum towing capacity of 11,800 lbs on the 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500 requires the Max Trailering Package (NHT) tow package. Without it, towing ratings on some configurations are significantly lower. The package typically adds a trailer hitch receiver, upgraded transmission cooler, integrated trailer brake controller, and a higher-output alternator.

On the 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500, the 4WD configuration tows more — up to 11,800 lbs versus 11,300 lbs for 2WD, a difference of 500 lbs. The 4WD variant's advantage comes from a lower curb weight, which directly increases available towing capacity.

The Crew Cab cab tows the most on the 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500, rated up to 11,800 lbs. Other cab styles are: Double Cab (11,300 lbs), Regular Cab (9,900 lbs).

GMC SIERRA 1500Towing Capacity

TONGUE WEIGHT ESTIMATOR

Towing Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

GMC SIERRA 1500
Towing Capacity