The table below lists every trim of the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended CAB 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 Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V6, 4.3 Liter 195 260 8,800 4,923
Work Truck Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, 4.8 Liter 295 305 8,500 5,226
Work Truck Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,300 5,410
SL Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, 4.8 Liter 295 305 10,200 5,266
SLE Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter 315 338 7,500 5,218
SLE Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,600 5,226
SLE Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,500 5,266
SLT Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,600 5,226
SLT Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,800 4,923
SLT Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter 315 338 8,300 5,410

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 2007

The 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended CAB carried a maximum tow rating of 8,900 lb. The 2008 model adds 1,300 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 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended CAB page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2008 GMC models

The rest of GMC's 2008 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.