The table below lists every trim of the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.

Per-trim breakdown

Configuration Engine HP Torque Axle Tow (lb) GVWR Curb Payload
Standard 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 200 260 3.42 8,500 6,100 4,073 2,027
SL 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 200 260 3.42 8,500 6,100 4,073 2,027
SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,500 6,100 4,073 2,027
Standard 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 200 260 3.42 8,400 6,400 4,211 2,189
SL 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 200 260 3.42 8,400 6,400 4,211 2,189
SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,400 6,400 4,211 2,189
Standard 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,534 1,666
SL 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,534 1,666
SLE 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,534 1,666
SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,534 1,666
Standard 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,200 6,100 4,376 1,724
SL 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,200 6,100 4,376 1,724
SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,200 6,100 4,376 1,724
Standard 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,100 6,400 4,520 1,880
SL 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,100 6,400 4,520 1,880
SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 270 285 3.73 9,100 6,400 4,520 1,880
Standard 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,910 1,490
SL 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,910 1,490
SLE 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,910 1,490
SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,910 1,490
Denali 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 325 370 4.1 10,000 7,200 5,013 2,187
Standard 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,000 6,400 4,787 1,613
SL 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,000 6,400 4,787 1,613
SLE 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,000 6,400 4,787 1,613
SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.42 8,000 6,400 4,787 1,613
Standard 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,090 1,310
SL 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,090 1,310
SLE 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,090 1,310
SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 270 285 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,090 1,310

How to interpret the headline tow figure

Ratings in this range are typically achievable with a weight-distributing hitch and the appropriate tow package. The conventional bumper-pull rating without weight distribution will be lower than the headline figure shown here — usually 5,000 to 8,000 lb. Confirm the hitch class on your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing at the upper end.

How this year compares to 2001

The 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 carried a maximum tow rating of 9,300 lb. The 2002 model adds 700 lb on top of that — usually a sign the manufacturer added a tow package option, refreshed the powertrain, or revised hitch class certification. See the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2002 GMC models

The rest of GMC's 2002 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.

All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.