What can the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
Yes, up to
11,800 lb
- Trailer types that fit
- 14 of 26
- 80% of the rating
- 9,440 lb
- Owner margin, not a maker limit
- Top trim
- SLT Crew Cab LB 4WD
Fit: 80% of the rating or less, and payload when listed.
Trailer check
Yes. 3,900 lb under the rating.
- Trailer
- Travel trailer, 30-35 ft overall: 7,900 lb loaded.
- Tow rating
- 11,800 lb. 67% used.
- Tongue weight
- 988 lb
- Payload
- 1,288 lb of 2,233 lb with people and cargo.
Shown: the heaviest trailer type that fits the top trim.
The tow rating as a picture
Checks
Source marks: one sourcemodel-level or estimate
| Check | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Tow rating Pass | 7,900 lb loaded. Rating 11,800 lb. 67% of the rating. Margin 3,900 lb. |
| 80% of the rating Pass | Up to 9,440 lb. A common owner margin, not a maker limit. |
| Payload Pass | Tongue weight 988 lb + people 300 lb + cargo 0 lb = 1,288 lb. Payload 2,233 lb. Left 945 lb. Payload is GVWR minus curb weight. |
| Hitch needed Info | Class III, up to 8,000 lb. |
| Frontal area Not known | Maker guides also limit trailer frontal area. Check your towing guide. |
People: 2 at 150 lb each. Trim: SLT Crew Cab LB 4WD.
Every trim
Yes: 28 trims.
| Trim | Tow rating | Share of rating | Payload | Payload left | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT Crew Cab LB 4WD | 11,800 lb | 67% | 2,233 lb | 945 lb | Yes |
| SLT Crew Cab 4WD | 11,700 lb | 68% | 2,285 lb | 997 lb | Yes |
| SLE Double Cab RWD | 11,200 lb | 71% | 2,201 lb | 913 lb | Yes |
| Elevation Double Cab RWD | 11,200 lb | 71% | 2,201 lb | 913 lb | Yes |
| SLE Crew Cab RWD | 11,200 lb | 71% | 2,198 lb | 910 lb | Yes |
| Elevation Crew Cab RWD | 11,200 lb | 71% | 2,198 lb | 910 lb | Yes |
| SLT Crew Cab RWD | 11,200 lb | 71% | 2,298 lb | 1,010 lb | Yes |
| 4WD Double Cab 147" Elevation w/3VL | 11,000 lb | 72% | 2,185 lb | 897 lb | Yes |
| SLE Double Cab 4WD | 11,000 lb | 72% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| Elevation Double Cab 4WD | 11,000 lb | 72% | 2,050 lb | 762 lb | Yes |
| 4WD Double Cab 147" Elevation w/3SB | 11,000 lb | 72% | 2,185 lb | 897 lb | Yes |
| SLE Crew Cab 4WD | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| 4WD Crew Cab 147" Elevation w/3VL | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,185 lb | 897 lb | Yes |
| SLE Crew Cab LB 4WD | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| Elevation Crew Cab 4WD | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,040 lb | 752 lb | Yes |
| 4WD Crew Cab 147" Elevation w/3SB | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,185 lb | 897 lb | Yes |
| Elevation Crew Cab LB 4WD | 10,900 lb | 72% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| 2WD Reg Cab 140" | 9,900 lb | 80% | 2,280 lb | 992 lb | Yes |
| Double Cab RWD | 9,700 lb | 81% | 2,201 lb | 913 lb | Yes |
| 4WD Reg Cab 140" | 9,700 lb | 81% | 2,318 lb | 1,030 lb | Yes |
| Crew Cab RWD | 9,700 lb | 81% | 2,198 lb | 910 lb | Yes |
| Denali Crew Cab RWD | 9,500 lb | 83% | 2,298 lb | 1,010 lb | Yes |
| Double Cab 4WD | 9,400 lb | 84% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| Crew Cab 4WD | 9,400 lb | 84% | 2,112 lb | 824 lb | Yes |
| Crew Cab LB 4WD | 9,400 lb | 84% | 2,133 lb | 845 lb | Yes |
| AT4 Crew Cab 4WD | 9,200 lb | 86% | 2,185 lb | 897 lb | Yes |
| Denali Crew Cab 4WD | 9,200 lb | 86% | 2,285 lb | 997 lb | Yes |
| Denali Crew Cab LB 4WD | 9,100 lb | 87% | 2,233 lb | 945 lb | Yes |
Sources for this check
- Jayco: trailer specs
- GMC: tongue weight guide
- SAE J2807 assumes 150 lb for driver and passenger (Jalopnik, 2014-06-19)
Trailer table checked 2026-10-11.
What this cannot tell you
Typical weights for the class. Check your trailer's sticker.
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
- Two or more sources agree
- One source
- Model-level or estimate
- Sources differ