2026 GMC Sierra 2500HD towing capacity
Max tow rating
20,000lb
- 4WD Crew Cab 159" Denali, 6.6L.
- Base trim: 14,500 lb.
Trailer check
Yes. 16,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 20,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 16,000 lb
- Margin
- 4,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- V, over 10,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 234% of 6,825 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 20,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 16,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- V, over 10,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Yes |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Yes |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Yes |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | Yes |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | Yes |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 20,000 lb: 4WD Crew Cab 159" Denali, $75,200.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" Denali | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,025 lb | 10,850 lb | 6,825 lb | $75,200 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" Denali | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,132 lb | 11,050 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $75,400 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" Denali Ultimate | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,525 lb | 11,350 lb | 6,825 lb | $94,200 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" Denali Ultimate | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,632 lb | 11,550 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $94,500 |
| 2WD Crew Cab 159" Pro | 6.6L | 2WD | 20,000 lb | 3,640 lb | 10,150 lb | 6,510 lb | $50,700 to $51,000 |
| 2WD Crew Cab 172" Pro | 6.6L | 2WD | 20,000 lb | 3,690 lb | 10,300 lb | 5,924 lb to 6,610 lb | $50,900 to $51,200 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" AT4 | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,025 lb | 10,850 lb | 6,825 lb | $72,200 to $72,500 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" Pro | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 3,625 lb | 10,450 lb | 6,825 lb | $53,500 to $53,800 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" SLE | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 3,625 lb | 10,450 lb | 6,825 lb | $57,900 to $58,200 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" SLT | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,025 lb | 10,850 lb | 6,825 lb | $65,200 to $65,500 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" AT4 | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,132 lb | 11,050 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $72,400 to $72,700 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" Pro | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 3,732 lb | 10,650 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $53,700 to $54,000 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" SLE | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 3,732 lb | 10,650 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $58,100 to $58,400 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 172" SLT | 6.6L | 4WD | 20,000 lb | 4,132 lb | 11,050 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,918 lb | $65,500 to $65,800 |
| 4WD Crew Cab 159" AT4X | 6.6L | 4WD | 18,500 lb | 4,200 lb | 11,025 lb | 6,825 lb | $85,200 to $85,500 |
| Pro Double Cab LB RWD | 6.6L | RWD | 17,900 lb | 3,675 lb | 10,200 lb | 6,525 lb | $49,100 |
| Pro Double Cab LB 4WD | 6.6L | 4WD | 17,600 lb | 3,671 lb | 10,500 lb | 6,829 lb | $51,900 |
| SLE Double Cab LB 4WD | 6.6L | 4WD | 17,600 lb | 3,671 lb | 10,500 lb | 6,829 lb | $56,300 |
| Pro Double Cab RWD | 6.6L | RWD | 14,500 lb | 3,659 lb | 10,050 lb | 6,391 lb | $48,900 |
| Pro Double Cab 4WD | 6.6L | 4WD | 14,500 lb | 3,612 lb | 10,350 lb | 6,738 lb | $51,700 |
| SLE Double Cab 4WD | 6.6L | 4WD | 14,500 lb | 3,612 lb | 10,350 lb | 6,738 lb | $56,100 |
| 2WD Reg Cab 142" Pro | 6.6L | 2WD | 14,500 lb | 3,926 lb | 10,000 lb | 5,924 lb to 6,442 lb | $47,000 to $47,300 |
| 4WD Reg Cab 142" Pro | 6.6L | 4WD | 14,500 lb | 3,828 lb | 10,250 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,731 lb | $49,800 to $50,100 |
| 4WD Reg Cab 142" SLE | 6.6L | 4WD | 14,500 lb | 3,828 lb | 10,250 lb | 6,237 lb to 6,731 lb | $54,000 to $54,300 |
No rating listed: 30 trims.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2015: 17,800 lb to 14,500 lb.
- Changed in 2016: 14,500 lb to 13,000 lb.
- Changed in 2018: 13,000 lb to 14,500 lb.
- Changed in 2020: 14,500 lb to 18,500 lb.
- Changed in 2024: 18,500 lb to 20,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Sierra 2500HD (this car) | 20,000 lb | 4WD Crew Cab 159" Denali | $75,200 |
| Ford F-150 | 13,500 lb | King Ranch SuperCrew LB 4WD | $69,930 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
- What can tow 7,500 lb? 47 models (2026)
- What can tow 10,000 lb? 12 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree