The table below lists every trim of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew 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
Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, EcoTec3, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,300 4,800
SLE Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter 310 348 11,100 4,920
SLE Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter 310 348 11,000 4,970
Elevation Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter 310 348 11,000 4,970
Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, EcoTec3, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,100 4,950
Elevation Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter 310 348 11,100 4,920
AT4 Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,100 5,040
SLT Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,100 5,040
AT4 Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,000 5,080
SLT Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,000 5,080
Denali Pickup 4D 6 1/2 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,000 5,080
Denali Pickup 4D 5 3/4 ft V8, EcoTec3, DFM, 5.3 Liter 355 383 11,100 5,040

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 2019

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew CAB carried a maximum tow rating of 12,100 lb. The 2020 model is rated 800 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew CAB page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2020 GMC models

The rest of GMC's 2020 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.