What is the towing capacity of a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has a towing capacity range of 9,000 to 11,800 lbs depending on configuration. We recommend staying at 80% of max capacity for safe, comfortable towing.

How many configurations does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 come in?

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is available in 49 different configurations with varying towing capacities, payloads, and drivetrains. Use our comparison tool to find the right one for your needs.

What RVs can a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?

With up to 11,800 lbs of towing capacity, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 can tow most travel trailers and fifth wheels. Click on any configuration to see specific RV matches based on that setup's capacity.

What's the payload capacity of a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

Payload varies by configuration. Remember that payload affects how much tongue weight you can handle - typically 10-15% of your trailer's total weight counts against your payload. Check the comparison table above for specific payload numbers.

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2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Towing Capacity & Specs

49 configurations across 33 trims

Compare all 2021 Sierra 1500 configs to find your perfect towing setup

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Towing Capacity Range

9,000 – 11,800 lbs

Class IV Hitch Required

Super Duty

Safe Towing 9,440 (80% rule)

Avg MPG 19.6 mpg

49 Configs

2021 Sierra 1500 Configurations

49 configurations across 33 trim levels

Sort:

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 4WD 5.3L V8 4WD	11,800 lbs	1,980 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 5.3L V8 • 10-Speed Automatic 4WD	11,800 lbs	1,980 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft
SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 5.3L V8 • 10-Speed Automatic 4WD	11,700 lbs	2,030 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft
SLT 4dr Crew Cab RWD Long Bed 5.3L V8 • 8-Speed Automatic	11,200 lbs	2,040 lbs	17/23 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 4WD 5.3L V8 4WD	11,700 lbs	2,030 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLT 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) 5.3L V8	11,200 lbs	2,040 lbs	17/23 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Double Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 2.7L I4	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Double Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 2.7L I4	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 2.7L I4	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 2.7L I4	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Double Cab RWD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
Elevation 4dr Double Cab 4WD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,050 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,040 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	10,900 lbs	2,000 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Double Cab RWD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo	11,200 lbs	2,060 lbs	20/23 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
SLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,040 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
SLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,050 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft
SLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 2.7L I4 Turbo • 8-Speed Automatic Turbo 4WD	10,900 lbs	2,000 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,050 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB w/3VL (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,050 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,050 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,040 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,040 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB w/3VL (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	11,000 lbs	2,040 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
SLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	10,900 lbs	2,000 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Elevation 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 4WD 2.7L I4 4WD	10,900 lbs	2,000 lbs	18/21 city/hwy	2.7L I4 310 hp • 348 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
2dr Regular Cab LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4.3L V6	9,900 lbs	2,250 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Base 2dr Regular Cab RWD Long Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic	9,900 lbs	2,250 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft
Base 4dr Double Cab RWD Short Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic	9,700 lbs	2,040 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft
Base 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Long Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,700 lbs	2,130 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft
Base 4dr Double Cab 4WD Short Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,020 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft
Base 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,020 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft
Base 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 4.3L V6 • 6-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,010 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4WD 4.3L V6 4WD	9,700 lbs	2,130 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4.3L V6	9,700 lbs	2,040 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
4dr Double Cab SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4.3L V6	9,700 lbs	2,040 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Denali 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) 5.3L V8	9,500 lbs	2,040 lbs	17/23 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Denali 4dr Crew Cab RWD Long Bed 5.3L V8 • 8-Speed Automatic	9,500 lbs	2,040 lbs	17/23 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft
Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 5.3L V8 • 10-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,200 lbs	2,030 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft
Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 5.3L V8 • 10-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,100 lbs	1,980 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4WD 4.3L V6 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,010 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4WD 4.3L V6 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,020 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) 4WD 4.3L V6 4WD	9,400 lbs	2,020 lbs	15/20 city/hwy	4.3L V6 285 hp • 305 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 4WD 5.3L V8 4WD	9,200 lbs	2,030 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
AT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 4WD 5.3L V8 4WD	9,200 lbs	2,080 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
AT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed 5.3L V8 • 10-Speed Automatic 4WD	9,200 lbs	2,080 lbs	16/21 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft
AT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD Short Bed 3.0L V6 Diesel • 10-Speed Automatic Diesel Turbo 4WD	9,000 lbs	1,540 lbs	22/26 city/hwy	3.0L I6 277 hp • 460 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A) 4WD 5.3L V8 4WD	9,100 lbs	1,980 lbs	16/22 city/hwy	5.3L V8 355 hp • 383 lb-ft

Configuration	Max Towing	Payload	MPG	Engine
AT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 10A) 4WD 3.0L V6 Diesel Diesel 4WD	9,000 lbs	1,540 lbs	22/26 city/hwy	3.0L I6 277 hp • 460 lb-ft

Recommended Towing Gear

Equipment recommended for a Class IV hitch setup

Class IV Hitch

Rated for heavy duty towing

Shop Hitches

Brake Controller

Required for trailers over 3,000 lbs

Shop Controllers

Towing Mirrors

Extended visibility for safer towing

Shop Mirrors

Weight Distribution

Stabilize heavy loads

Shop WDH

Other Sierra 1500 Model Years

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Common Questions

Answers based on our research and real owner data

What can a 2021 Sierra 1500 actually tow?

It depends on which configuration you get. The 2021 Sierra 1500 ranges from 9,000 to 11,800 lbs. That's a big spread! The difference usually comes down to cab style, drivetrain, and engine choice. We always recommend staying around 80% of your max — so 9,440 lbs for safe towing.

Which configuration should I pick?

Start with what you're towing. If you know your RV or trailer weight, work backwards. Generally, 4WD adds safety at boat ramps and campgrounds but reduces towing capacity slightly. Crew cabs give you passenger room but less payload. Check the table above — we highlight towing and MPG so you can compare at a glance.

How does payload affect what I can tow?

Here's what catches people off guard: tongue weight counts against your payload. For bumper pull trailers, that's typically 10-15% of the trailer's loaded weight. So if your trailer weighs 8,000 lbs, you're putting 800-1,200 lbs in your truck bed. Add passengers and gear, and payload fills up fast.

What hitch do I need for a Sierra 1500?

For the 2021 Sierra 1500, we recommend a Class IV receiver hitch. It's rated for the full towing capacity of 11,800 lbs. Don't skimp here — your hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer.

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2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Towing Capacity & Specs

2021 Sierra 1500 Configurations

Recommended Towing Gear

Other Sierra 1500 Model Years

Common Questions

What can a 2021 Sierra 1500 actually tow?

Which configuration should I pick?

How does payload affect what I can tow?

What hitch do I need for a Sierra 1500?

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2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity & Specs

2021 Sierra 1500 Configurations

Recommended Towing Gear

Other Sierra 1500 Model Years

Common Questions

What can a 2021 Sierra 1500 actually tow?

Which configuration should I pick?

How does payload affect what I can tow?

What hitch do I need for a Sierra 1500?

Leave the Noise Behind.Reconnect Outdoors.

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2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Towing Capacity & Specs

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