Comparing GMC Truck And SUV Towing Capacity
GMC Towing Guide at a Glance
- The best GMC for towing is the Sierra HD, which can tow up to 36,000 pounds when properly equipped.
- For full-sized, light-duty trucks, consider the GMC Sierra 1500 and its 13,300-pound capacity.1
- If you want to tow with an SUV, the GMC Yukon is an excellent choice with a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds.1
- All-electric bliss can be found with the GMC Hummer EV Pickup, which can haul up to 12,100 pounds.1
- Many GMC vehicles can handle campers and travel trailers with ease, making your vacation even more memorable.
GMC SUV and Truck Towing Comparison: Which Hauler Is Right for You?
The GMC towing capacity across the brand's full lineup caters to a wide range of lifestyles and performance requirements. Among the entire collection of trucks and SUVs, a GMC will almost always be able to haul some amount of weight: even the compact Terrain can pull some boats. But you may have some initial questions if it's your first time towing. For instance, you may wonder, 'Does 4WD help with towing?' or 'Do I need a tow package?'
We at Carl Black Buick GMC of Kennesaw are here to ensure all your questions are answered. Let's explore each truck and SUV to give you a brief overview of their trailering capabilities.
GMC Towing Capacity by Model: Which GMC Can Tow the Most?
First and foremost, you can expect that the GMC truck towing capacity will generally be higher than the GMC SUV towing capacity. The GMC Sierra brand is known for its excellent towing capability. However, that doesn't mean the SUVs aren't strong for their segments: In fact, the strongest GMC SUV, the Yukon, can compete with midsize trucks.
For a comprehensive GMC towing capacity overview, please see the chart below:
GMC Towing Capacity Chart
Summary
- Currently, all GMC models can tow over 1,000 pounds,1 – enough for small vehicles like motorcycles or ATVs.
- The no-question best towing variant is the GMC Sierra HD, but the GMC Sierra 1500 can handle most campers, trailers, and boats with its 13,300-pound capacity.1
- The best SUV for towing is the Yukon, with over 8,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity.1
What Features Can Help You Tow?
Every GMC configuration has access to a suite of add-ons to make your trailering journey easier. Here are just a few examples:
- Trailering Package: While standard on certain GMC models, small SUVs like the Terrain will need to opt in for the Trailering Package, which includes a tow hitch and a molding kit.
- Drive Modes: When climbing trims, consider your drive mode options. Some trucks, such as the GMC Sierra 1500, have a Tow/Haul mode that helps your truck handle a heavy trailer.
- GMC Max Trailering Package: The Max Trailering Package for trucks like the GMC Sierra 1500 is necessary to achieve the high-end numbers it can provide. It also comes with advanced cooling, reinforced suspension, an automatic locking rear differential, and additional upgrades to let your truck pull heavier trailers.
- GMC ProGrade Trailering System: This package is centered around technology. The In-Vehicle Trailering App is your one-stop shop for everything related to your trailer, including weight distribution, tire pressure monitoring, maintenance reminders, electrical diagnostics, a checklist, light tests, and so much more.
- Auxiliary Trailer Cameras: Depending on the model, the central screen can display additional viewing angles to help you navigate safely and effectively with a trailer in tow.
- While some GMC trucks and SUVs come with a standard trailer hitch, other models (such as the Terrain) will need a Trailering Package added to tow properly.
- Enjoy features like the Tow/Haul driving mode and Hitch Guidance to make your towing journey even easier.
- Some trucks have in-vehicle trailering apps to improve your confidence when hitching and monitoring your trailer.
Is Max Towing Capacity Realistic? What Your GMC Can Handle
While it's rare and generally not recommended for a truck or SUV to reach maximum towing capacity, you can be confident that your model can handle one or more of the following options:
- Light Vehicles (ATVs, Motorcycles): All models
- Fishing Boats: All iterations except for the Terrain
- Small to Midsize Trailers & Campers: Most SUVs, all trucks
- Teardrop / A-Frame Campers: All variants except for the Terrain
- Large Travel Trailers: Most GMC trucks
Before towing any of these options, please weigh them properly and ensure they are balanced so that only 10%-15% of the weight is on the tongue. Otherwise, your GMC may not be able to handle it safely. In addition, if you plan to carry a lot of weight in your trunk or bring a lot of passengers, keep in mind that this may decrease your available payload capacity, which limits the weight of your trailer.
Summary
- All vehicles in the GMC lineup can handle towing light ATVs, and most can handle campers, boats, and moderately-sized trailers.
- Payload and proper balancing must be considered.
Which GMC Is Right for Me?
- GMC Canyon: Ideal for those who want a midsize truck with the ability to carry light trailers
- GMC Sierra EV: A fully electric pickup that offers zero tailpipe emissions and handles medium-sized campers
- GMC Sierra 1500: Great for motorists who want the perfect combo of off-road performance and light-duty towing capability
- GMC Sierra HD: Best for business owners who need to carry livestock trailers and other heavy-duty equipment to the jobsite
- GMC Hummer EV Truck: Perfect for adventurers who need high-end towing power and over 1,100 horsepower
- GMC Terrain: Five-seat SUV ideal for bringing along bikes, personal watercraft, or light yard equipment
- GMC Acadia: Midsize SUV that is well-equipped to tow small campers and boats for weekend trips to the lake
- GMC Yukon / Yukon XL: Best for growing families who require up to 8 seats and want to tow midsize pop-up campers
- GMC Hummer EV SUV: Great for EV drivers who want the versatility of towing larger boats and heavy-duty items within an SUV body
What Else Should I Know About GMC Towing Capacity?
- Where is the trailering label on a GMC? Typically, this label is on the driver's side door pillar.
- Does AWD increase towing capacity? For GMC models, AWD does not necessarily increase towing capacity. In fact, several iterations have the same towing capacity no matter which drivetrain.
- Does towing capacity change by trim? While trim can have a minor impact on GMC towing capacity, configuration is much more important. For instance, the GMC Canyon cannot tow 7,700 pounds with the AT4X trim. However, for the GMC Sierra 1500, the Double Cab, Standard Bed, and diesel engine are much more important.
- Why is my truck's towing capacity lower than advertised? Your trim level, add-ons, tire pressure, and engine age can all reduce your overall towing capacity.
How Do I Find My Exact GMC Towing Capacity? Consider Visiting Carl Black Buick GMC of Kennesaw
Ready to start hauling? Our team is here to lend a hand. We can answer questions such as what the difference is between GMC payload and towing capacity, or which truck configuration would work best for your future projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does towing capacity include passengers?
No, towing capacity does not innately include passengers. In fact, depending on the overall weight you have in your truck or SUV, your towing capacity will be impacted.
Does payload affect towing capacity?
Payload can and will affect tow rating. The tongue weight of the trailer, for example, must be factored into your overall payload if you want to reduce the risk of damaging your truck or SUV. The more you add to your truck bed or trunk, the smaller the trailer you can comfortably handle.
What is tongue weight?
GMC tongue weight is the amount of weight placed on the part of the trailer that you connect to your truck or SUV. Typically, a balanced trailer has a tongue weight of around 10% of its total weight, which should be factored into your payload capacity.
What is GCWR?
GCWR stands for "Gross Combined Weight Rating" and is a general estimation of how much a specified truck or SUV can weigh when factoring in curb weight, payload, and trailer with all of its cargo. For instance, a GMC Sierra 1500 Pro (Regular Cab, Standard Bed, RWD) has a GCWR of 14,000 pounds,2 a payload of 2,412 pounds,3 and a curb weight of 4,288 pounds.
What is GVWR?
GVWR stands for "Gross Vehicle Weight Rating" and is an estimation of how much your standalone vehicle can weigh, including curb weight and payload. For instance, the GMC Sierra 1500 Pro (Regular Cab, Standard Bed, RWD) has a GVWR of 6,700 pounds4 and a curb weight of 4,288 pounds, meaning that its payload is 2,412 pounds.3
1GM-estimated. Maximum trailering ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The trailering capacity of your specific vehicle may vary. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can trailer.
2GCWR ratings assume vehicles are properly equipped with manufacturer-recommended towing setups. Actual weight capacities may vary.
3These maximum payload ratings are intended for comparison purposes only. Before you buy a vehicle or use it to haul people or cargo, carefully review the vehicle loading section of the Owner's Manual and check the carrying capacity of your specific vehicle on the label on the inside of the driver's door jamb.
4GVWR ratings assume vehicles are properly equipped with manufacturer-recommended towing setups. Actual weight capacities may vary.
