2022 GMC Sierra 1500 & 2500 Towing Capacity

When you’re in the market for a new pickup truck, towing capacity is among the essential aspects to consider, if not the most important, whether you’re looking for a work truck to haul equipment from job site to job site or to pull a camper, boat, ATV, or other watercraft for a weekend adventure, or, better yet, both, here’s what to expect for the maximum towing capacities of the GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500 models.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacities

While other factors also affect the maximum towing capacity, the engine is the most crucial consideration. Based on the engine you opt for, the following are the various maximum towing capacities for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 :

• 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6: This is the base engine for the 1500 and features a maximum towing capacity of 7,900 pounds.
• 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder: A smaller but powerful engine upgrades the maximum towing capacity to 9,200 pounds.
• 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 AFM: Probably the engine most associated with the 1500, this V-8 engine can tow up to 9,900 pounds.
• 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 DFM: A variant of the V-8, this engine will up the maximum towing capacity to 11,300 pounds with proper configuration.
• 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8: The souped-up version of the V-8 gets up to 11,800 pounds when properly equipped.
• 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel: This torque machine can tow up to 9,300 pounds.

2022 GMC Sierra 2500 Towing Capacity

If the GMC Sierra 1500 isn’t enough for your needs, then check out the GMC Sierra HD 2500. The Sierra HD 2500 builds off the lighter-duty Sierra 1500, giving you the same refined interior that people love worldwide. If you need heavy-duty towing and payload capacities, upgrading from a Sierra 1500 to a GMC Sierra HD 2500 is advisable.

You can customize your GMC Sierra HD to suit your needs. Both gas and diesel options are available. The gas engine is a 6.6-liter V-8 engine with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option is a Duramax Turbo-Diesel V-8 engine churning 445 horsepower and a whopping 910 lb-ft of torque.

Duramax Turbo-Diesel V-8 Towing and Payload

• Max GCWR: 27,500 pounds.
• Max conventional hitch: 18,500 pounds.
• Max fifth wheel hitch: 18,500 pounds.
• Max gooseneck hitch: 18,500 pounds.
• Max payload: 3,597 pounds.

6.6-Liter V-8 Gas Engine Towing and Payload

• Max GCWR: 24,400 pounds.
• Max conventional hitch: 14,500 pounds.
• Max fifth wheel hitch: 16,620 pounds.
• Max gooseneck hitch: 16,620 pounds.
• Max payload: 3,862 pounds

What is Towing Capacity?

Simply put, maximum towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can pull safely and effectively. It changes based on the configuration, the weight the vehicle is already hauling, the distribution of the load, and how you control the load. The manufacturer will list a maximum towing capacity, which is their best estimate based on their testing but doesn’t reflect all situations.

The actual towing capacity requires calculating a variety of factors. The towing capacity assumes a driver and no other passengers or cargo in the bed. That’s not practical in real life, as you’ll most likely have passengers and cargo in the pickup bed, affecting the maximum towing capacity.

To calculate the maximum towing capacity accurately, you must know various factors. The first thing to know is the full gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR), which is the weight of the trailer and vehicle or cargo you plan to tow along with other cargo and passengers you plan to carry. Next, you’ll need to consider the vehicle’s curb weight, including gas at full and all other fluids the vehicle requires.

You’ll determine the vehicle’s towing capacity by subtracting the curb weight from the GCVWR. Manufacturers stress that exceeding the maximum towing capacity is unadvisable, but, in reality, it’s even better to stay no more than 90% of the maximum towing capacity for safety reasons.

General Towing Considerations

You should also know some general towing considerations before discussing towing capacity. First, you need to consider new driving dynamics. Towing involves longer braking distances to slow down and stop, reduced acceleration, and more room to turn. Also, it would be best if you considered the trajectory of your trailer. Most towing issues occur when you back up your trailer because you must reverse your steering to pilot a trailer — turning the wheel left moves the trailer right, and vice versa. Make sure you practice this in a safe area to get it down.

Towing a trailer puts a significant amount of pressure on your truck. Opting for a trailer package will help immensely with stouter suspension and improved cooling, among other additions. The towing package on the AT4 trim will give you the best towing experience available. In addition, you’ll want to consider the tongue weight, which measures the force applied directly to the tow hitch.

If the tongue weight is too light, you may introduce trailer sway, which can be dangerous. If the tongue weight is too high, it’ll affect steering and braking. To tow safely, the tongue weight should check in at about 10% to 15% of your gross trailer weight. No matter the circumstance, you should never exceed the GMC Sierra’s maximum towing capacity, as doing so can be very dangerous. Your owner’s manual will list the maximum towing capacity for your vehicle.

Where To Find GMC Sierra Models in Carmel, New York

Meadowland GMC has whichever GMC Sierra model you want to get the towing capacity you need. We have a wide selection of models and trim levels for the 1500 and 2500, all with exceptional features. We’ll help you find the perfect vehicle no matter what you’re looking for. See us at 1952 Route 6 in Carmel, New York. We’d happily answer any questions or set you up with a test drive for the 1500 or 2500. You can also reach us at 888-741-3918 or via our secure online messaging system to get started today.

Photo Credit: Silver Sierra by Truck Hardware is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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