The table below lists every trim of the 2004 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
Work Truck 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 195 260 3.42 8,400 6,100 4,142 1,958
Base 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 195 260 3.42 8,400 6,100 4,142 1,958
SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 285 295 3.42 8,400 6,100 4,142 1,958
Base 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 195 260 3.42 8,300 6,400 4,227 2,173
SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 285 295 3.42 8,300 6,400 4,227 2,173
Work Truck 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 195 260 3.42 8,300 6,400 4,227 2,173
Base 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,548 1,652
SLE 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,548 1,652
SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,548 1,652
Work Truck 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.42 8,100 6,200 4,548 1,652
Base 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,100 6,200 4,439 1,761
SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,100 6,200 4,439 1,761
Work Truck 4x4 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. box 119 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,100 6,200 4,439 1,761
Base 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,000 6,400 4,579 1,821
SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,000 6,400 4,579 1,821
Work Truck 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB 285 295 3.73 9,000 6,400 4,579 1,821
Base 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,919 1,481
SLE 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,919 1,481
SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,919 1,481
Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 285 295 3.73 8,800 6,400 4,919 1,481
Denali 4x4 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 325 365 4.1 10,000 7,200 5,013 2,187
Base 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,900 6,400 4,810 1,590
SLE 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,900 6,400 4,810 1,590
SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,900 6,400 4,810 1,590
Work Truck 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,900 6,400 4,810 1,590
Base 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,097 1,303
SLE 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,097 1,303
SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,097 1,303
Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,700 6,400 5,097 1,303
SLE 4x2 Crew Cab 5.7 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,800 6,800 4,946 1,854
SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 5.7 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.42 7,800 6,800 4,946 1,854
SLE 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,500 7,000 5,244 1,756
SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7 ft. box 143.5 in. WB 295 330 3.73 8,500 7,000 5,244 1,756

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 2003

The 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 carried a maximum tow rating of 10,000 lb. The 2004 model carries the same headline figure — manufacturers usually leave the rating alone year-over-year unless there's a powertrain or hitch change. See the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2004 GMC models

The rest of GMC's 2004 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.