2021 GMC Sierra Towing Capacity

Are you looking for a truck with plenty of power to tow your camper or a family boat for a weekend getaway? Or perhaps you’re in the market for a robust work truck that’s capable of tackling any large or small job? Whatever your requirements, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is the perfect full-sized truck for you.

What Is the Towing Capacity of the 2021 GMC Sierra?

The GMC Sierra can tow up to 11,800 pounds. To reach that upper limit, you’ll need to select the most powerful engine on offer in the lineup, which is a 6.2-liter V-8 capable of generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. You’ll also need to choose the Crew cab, four-wheel drive, mid-length cargo bed, and the Max Trailering package.

The Max Trailering package adds several key features to your truck to boost its towing capabilities. These include a 9.76-inch rear axle, a 3.42 axle ratio, heavy-duty rear springs, an advanced cooling radiator to prevent overheating, and a 220-amp alternator. The Sierra also features an Auto Electric Parking Brake Assist, which automatically puts on your trailer brake when you put your truck into park.

The Trailering Camera package adds two cameras to the wing mirrors to make it easier when you’re reversing or parking with a trailer. You can also get a trailer brake control button on your central console to make it easier for you to control it.

In addition to towing, the Sierra can lug around a large payload, with a maximum hauling capacity of 2,200 pounds. To access that, you’ll need to select the Regular cab, which has one row of seats, and the long cargo bed.

GMC Sierra Towing Capacity by Engine

If you don’t plan on pushing your truck to the limit of its towing capacity, you may be interested in learning more about the towing limits for each of the five engines in the Sierra 1500’s 2021 lineup.

The base engine is a 4.3-liter V-6 capable of putting out 285 horsepower. With this under your hood, your Sierra 1500 can tow up to 7,600 pounds. The second option is GMC’s 2.7-liter Turbo-Diesel, which cranks out 310 horsepower. Its top towing capacity is 6,900 pounds.

The third engine in the lineup is a 5.3-liter V-8 with 355 horsepower. This setup pushes your top towing capacity up to 11,100 pounds. As we’ve already explained, the most powerful 6.2-liter V-8 has the maximum overall towing capability at 11,800 pounds.

There’s also a 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel engine, which features a maximum towing capability of 9,300 pounds.

Which GMC Sierra Trim Is Best for Towing?

The Sierra 1500 is available in six trims: the base Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali.

To get the most powerful 6.2-liter V-8 engine, you’ll have to choose from one of the top Sierra trims: SLT, AT4, or Denali. The starting price is $57,195 for a model with this engine. The AT4 trim could be a good option for you if you plan on doing a lot of towing off the beaten track, since it’s specifically designed with off-roading in mind. The AT4’s standard features include a two-inch suspension lift, a two-speed transfer case, and skid plates. The SLT trim should be just fine if you’re more concerned about interior luxury, since it features leather seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

If you’re working with a more modest budget, the 5.3-liter V-8, which only reduces your towing capacity slightly, is available with all trims. A Sierra fitted with this power plant starts at $31,445.

What Can the GMC 1500 Tow?

If you find all of these numbers a little difficult to follow, you may be wondering what exactly your new truck would be able to tow? Here are some ideas.

A GMC Sierra 1500 will easily cope with a small or mid-sized boat if you’re planning a weekend trip to the lake. It can also handle a family-sized camper with no problem at all. If you opt for four-wheel drive, your Sierra 1500 will also have what it takes to haul your equipment off-road, whether you’re following a trail or being a little more adventurous. For premium off-roading performance, you may want to consider adding GMC’s Off-Roading package, which includes off-roading suspension with shock absorbers, hill descent control, and an integrated dual exhaust. Your truck also gets a heavy-duty air filter and skid plates with this configuration.

If you plan on using your truck as a work horse rather than for a vacation, the GMC Sierra’s towing abilities make it ideal for handling a trailer full of livestock, wood, or anything else you need to transport around to get the job done. It can also tow cars without any problem.

How Does the Sierra’s Towing Capacity Compare With its
Competitors?

The Silverado 1500 is Chevy’s full-sized pickup, and it features many of the same power trains as the Sierra. The Silverado has a slightly higher towing capacity at 13,300 pounds.

The Ram 1500 is another competitor with the Sierra 1500 in the full-size pickup class. The towing capacities of these two pickups are similar throughout their engine and trim lineups. The Ram’s base setup has a slightly lower towing capacity at just 6,250 pounds compared to the Sierra. The Ram’s top towing capability is 12,700 pounds.

The F-150 is another strong competitor among the full-sized truck range. The Ford’s towing abilities top out at 14,000 pounds.

Test Drive a GMC Sierra 1500 at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC

Now that you’ve learned something about the brute force of this pickup and how it stacks up against its competitors, why not find out what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a Sierra? Here at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC, we’ve got a great selection of 2021 Sierra 1500s, including various trim levels, additional towing features, and interior comfort and technology to ensure you and your passengers have an enjoyable ride. Contact our friendly team of auto experts today to arrange a test drive or get the buying process started.

*?Image via Flickr by Jason Lawrence

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