Tow Ratings Towing capacity for every US vehicle, 1991 to today

2013 GMC Sierra 3500 towing capacity

The 2013 GMC Sierra 3500 is published in 24 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 13,000 to 18,000 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (18,000 lb) sits in serious heavy-duty pickup territory.

The table below lists every trim of the 2013 GMC Sierra 3500 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 2D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 16,000 — 6,525 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 6,958 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
SLE Pickup 2D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 16,000 — 6,525 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 7,111 —
SLE Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,545 —
SLT Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 6,958 —
SLT Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
Denali Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,722 —
Denali Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 7,239 —
SLE Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
SLE Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 18,000 — 7,111 —
SLT Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 18,000 — 7,111 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 6,958 —
SLE Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,545 —
SLT Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 6,958 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
Work Truck Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 7,111 —
SLT Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
Denali Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 13,000 — 6,722 —
Denali Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter 322 380 — 18,000 — 7,239 —
SLE Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 13,000 — 6,610 —
SLE Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 18,000 — 7,111 —
SLT Pickup 4D 8 ft V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter 397 765 — 18,000 — 7,111 —

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 2012

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 carried a maximum tow rating of 18,000 lb. The 2013 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 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2013 GMC models

The rest of GMC's 2013 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.

Model Max tow (lb)
2013 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Crew CAB 18,000
2013 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Extended CAB 18,000
2013 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Regular CAB 16,000
2013 GMC Sierra 3500hd 13,000
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew CAB 13,000
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Extended CAB 13,000

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.