2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Base Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
14,500 lbs
Safe limit: 11,600 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
4,361 lbs
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
11.2 mpg
10 city / 13 hwy (EPA Est.)
The 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Base is rated to tow up to 14,500 lbs powered by the 6.0L. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 11,600 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. The payload rating of 4,361 lbs is the number to watch closely — once you add passengers, hitch weight, and gear, it fills faster than most people expect. With this setup, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class IV hitch class and 14,500 lb tow rating
Class IV Hitch Receiver
Required for towing. 2" receiver is standard on tow-equipped models.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for trailer brake lights and signals.
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Brake Controller
Required by law in most states for trailers over 3,000 lbs.
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Weight Distribution Hitch
Strongly recommended for trailers over 6,000 lbs to level the load and reduce sway.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
6,314 lbs
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Engine
Engine
6.0L
Horsepower
360 HP @ 5400 rpm
Torque
380 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drive Type
Four Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
Fuel Tank
36.0 gallons
Fuel Economy (EPA)
City10 mpg
Highway13 mpg
Combined12 mpg
Real-World (Fuelly, 29 owners)11.2 mpg
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Dimensions
Overall Length224.4"
Overall Width80.1"
Height77.9"
Cab Typeregular
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 11,600 lbs and 4,361 lb payload. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
RV Type
Weight Range
Coverage
Status
Fifth Wheels
5th Wheel
1,176 – 24,000 lbs
Limited
Destination Trailers
Bumper Pull
9,800 – 16,500 lbs
Limited
⚠ Vehicle capacity only — does not include passengers, gear, or tongue weight. Run the full calculator →
Compare Configurations
Other 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Ultimate 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 13.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Ultimate 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 13.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Ultimate 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 13.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 13.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro RWD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro RWD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro RWD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
| 2025 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Pro 4WD | 20,000 lbs | 11.1 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Base?
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The 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Base is rated at 14,500 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 11,600 lbs as your practical limit. This gives you margin for hills, headwinds, braking distance, and real-world load variance. More critically, check your payload first — the door sticker tells you your specific truck's limit, and payload may be your actual binding constraint.
What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?
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You have 4,361 lbs of payload capacity — that's everything going IN the truck: passengers (~150 lbs each), camping gear, coolers, and critically the tongue weight from your trailer. For bumper pull trailers, tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight. It fills up faster than most people expect, especially on longer trips.
What kind of hitch do I need?
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For the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Base, you need a Class IV receiver hitch rated for 14,500 lbs. Don't skimp here — the hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer. For fifth wheel towing, you'll need a dedicated kingpin-style fifth wheel hitch mounted in the truck bed.
What types of RVs will work with my truck?
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With your 11,600 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels. The compatibility chart above shows what percentage of each RV class in our database you can handle. Use the Tow Calculator to check a specific RV including gear, water, and passengers.
What does GVWR mean and why should I care?
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GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum your truck can weigh when fully loaded with people, gear, and fuel. Your truck's GVWR is 10,700 lbs. Exceed it and you're over-stressing brakes, suspension, and tires. This is different from towing capacity — it's about what the truck itself can carry.
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