2016 GMC Sierra 1500 towing capacity
The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 is published in 25 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (12,000 lb) sits in half-ton plus / heavy-duty truck territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 2016 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 4x2 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6,500 | 4,517 | 1,983 |
| Base 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6,700 | 4,723 | 1,977 |
| Base 4x2 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6,900 | 5,010 | 1,890 |
| Base 4x4 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 6,700 | 4,816 | 1,884 |
| Base 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 6,900 | 4,975 | 1,925 |
| SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6.5 | 4,517 | -4,510.5 |
| SLE 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6.7 | 4,723 | -4,716.3 |
| Base 4x4 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 7.1 | 5,263 | -5,255.9 |
| Base 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6.9 | 5,037 | -5,030.1 |
| SLE 4x2 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6.9 | 5,010 | -5,003.1 |
| SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 6.7 | 4,816 | -4,809.3 |
| SLE 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 6.9 | 4,975 | -4,968.1 |
| Base 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 7.1 | 5,302 | -5,294.9 |
| SLE 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.23 | 6,000 | 6.9 | 5,037 | -5,030.1 |
| Base 4x4 Crew Cab 6.5 ft. box 153.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 6,000 | 7.2 | 5,333 | -5,325.8 |
| SLE 4x4 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 7.1 | 5,263 | -5,255.9 |
| SLT 4x2 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 9,000 | 7 | 5,010 | -5,003 |
| SLE 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 285 | 305 | 3.42 | 7,000 | 7.1 | 5,302 | -5,294.9 |
| SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 9,000 | 7 | 5,037 | -5,030 |
| SLE 4x4 Crew Cab 6.5 ft. box 153.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 6,000 | 7.2 | 5,333 | -5,325.8 |
| SLT 4x4 Double Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 9,000 | 7.2 | 5,263 | -5,255.8 |
| SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 9,000 | 7.2 | 5,302 | -5,294.8 |
| SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 6.5 ft. box 153.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.08 | 9,000 | 7.2 | 5,333 | -5,325.8 |
| Denali 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.42 | 12,000 | 7 | 5,182 | -5,175 |
| Denali 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | — | 355 | 383 | 3.42 | 9,000 | 7.2 | 5,452 | -5,444.8 |
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 2015
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 carried a maximum tow rating of 9,400 lb. The 2016 model adds 2,600 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 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 2016 GMC models
The rest of GMC's 2016 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Crew CAB | 19,600 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 | 19,600 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 3500hd | 15,000 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew CAB | 14,500 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Regular CAB | 14,500 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 | 14,500 |
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.