2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tows up to 11,800 lb. The exact figure depends on engine, cab, drive and axle ratio; the lowest-rated setup tows 7,400 lb.
38 configurations from the manufacturer's guide.
Ratings on this page last changed .
Shop Class V hitches for the Sierra 1500 →Sponsored link
11,800lb trailer
6.2L V8, Crew, Standard bed, 4WD, 3.42 axle, max tow package
- GCWR
- 17,800
- Axle
- 3.42
- Hitch
- Class V
2021 Sierra 1500 towing capacity by engine
| Engine | Tows up to (lb) | Best setup |
|---|---|---|
| 6.2L V8 | 11,8002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | Crew, Standard bed, 4WD, 3.42 axle, max tow package |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | 11,3002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | Double, Standard bed, 2WD, 3.42 axle, max tow package |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | 9,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | Regular, Long bed, 2WD, 3.42 axle |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | 9,3002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | Double, Standard bed, 2WD, 3.23 axle |
| 2.7L Turbo | 9,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | Double, Standard bed, 2WD, 3.42 axle |
| 4.3L V6 | 7,8002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | Regular, Long bed, 2WD, 3.42 axle |
Show all 38 configurations (cab, axle ratio, GCWR, hitch class)
| Engine | Cab / body | Bed | Drive | Axle | Tow pkg | Max trailer (lb) | Payload (lb) | GVWR (lb) | GCWR (lb) | Hitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L V8 | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 11,8002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,960 | 7,300 | 17,800 | Class V |
| 6.2L V8 | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 11,7002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,000 | 7,300 | 17,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 11,3002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,170 | 7,100 | 16,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 11,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,140 | 7,100 | 16,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 11,0002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,150 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 10,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,120 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | Max tow package | 10,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,080 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class V |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Regular | Long bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 9,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,180 | 6,800 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 9,7002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,060 | 6,900 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 9,7002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,970 | 6,800 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Regular | Long bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 9,7002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,070 | 6,900 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,5002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,140 | 7,100 | 16,800 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,5002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,170 | 7,100 | 16,800 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 9,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,050 | 7,100 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 9,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,000 | 7,100 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) and 5.3L V8 (L82/YK9 ) (Base Sierra Trim Only) | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 9,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,950 | 7,000 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.23 | — | 9,3002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,760 | 6,900 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 2.7L Turbo | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 9,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,060 | 6,800 | 14,500 | Class IV |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.23 | — | 9,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,830 | 7,000 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,120 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,2002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,150 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class IV |
| 2.7L Turbo | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 9,1002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,060 | 6,800 | 14,500 | Class IV |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) and 5.3L V8 (L84/YK9 ) | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,1002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,080 | 7,300 | 16,800 | Class IV |
| 2.7L Turbo | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 9,0002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,050 | 7,000 | 14,500 | Class IV |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.23 | — | 9,0002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,750 | 7,100 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 6.2L V8 | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 9,0002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,960 | 7,300 | 17,800 | Class IV |
| 2.7L Turbo | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 8,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,040 | 7,000 | 14,500 | Class IV |
| 2.7L Turbo | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 8,9002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,000 | 7,000 | 14,500 | Class IV |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.23 | — | 8,8002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,770 | 7,200 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 6.2L V8 | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.23 | Max tow package | 8,6002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,000 | 7,300 | 17,800 | Class IV |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.23 | — | 8,5002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 17 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,810 | 7,200 | 15,000 | Class IV |
| 4.3L V6 | Regular | Long bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 7,8002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,250 | 6,800 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Crew | Short bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 7,6002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,040 | 6,800 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Double | Standard bed | 2WD | 3.42 | — | 7,6002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,040 | 6,800 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Regular | Long bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 7,6002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,130 | 6,900 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Crew | Short bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 7,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,010 | 7,000 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Crew | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 7,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 1,970 | 7,000 | 12,800 | Class III |
| 4.3L V6 | Double | Standard bed | 4WD | 3.42 | — | 7,4002021 GMC Trailering Guide, p. 16 · 16 Sep 2026 | 2,020 | 7,000 | 12,800 | Class III |
Safety: Manufacturer ratings assume a properly equipped vehicle. Your vehicle's certification label (driver's door jamb) and owner's manual override this site.
Can the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tow it?
Enter the loaded trailer weight. Tongue weight is assumed at 13% for the payload check; passengers and cargo are not included — use the full calculator for those.
Enter a trailer weight to see whether it is within every published limit for the configuration you pick.
Towing setup for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
What to fit, in order · sized to its 11,800 lb rating
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Class V receiver hitchEssential
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated to 11,800 lb, which falls in Class V (over 10,000 lb).
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Ball mountEssential
Ball mount drop/rise to keep the trailer level.
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7-pin wiring harnessEssential
A 7-pin connector carries the brake-controller output and 12V charge line.
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Trailer brake controllerHeavier trailers
Trailers over about 1,500 lb need their own brakes in most US states; thresholds vary by state.
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Weight-distribution hitchHeavier trailers
Recommended when the trailer exceeds the manufacturer's threshold for this configuration or half the vehicle's curb weight.
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Tow mirrorsWide trailers
Required in many states when the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle.
Links open a search filtered to this vehicle. Confirm fit with the seller before buying; the manufacturer's rating and your door-jamb label still set the limit.
Frequently asked
- How much can a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
- The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tows up to 11,800 lb when equipped as 6.2L V8, Crew, Standard bed, 4WD, 3.42 axle, max tow package (2021 GMC Trailering Guide, page 17, retrieved 16 Sep 2026).
- What is the lowest rated 2021 Sierra 1500 configuration?
- 7,400 lb for the 4.3L V6, Double, Standard bed, 4WD, 3.42 axle. Every configuration is listed in the table with its source.
- Do I need a weight-distribution hitch?
- Where the manufacturer does not state a threshold, the usual rule is a weight-distribution hitch when the trailer exceeds half the vehicle's curb weight. Use the widget below or the towing calculator.