Refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Duramax Gets Significantly Higher Towing Capacity
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General Motors unveiled the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 late last month, debuting a variety of changes and updates for the Light Duty pickup. Among these changes is a significantly higher towing capacity for models equipped with the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine.
Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models equipped with the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine and rear-wheel drive now have a max tow rating of 13,200 pounds, an increase of 4,000 pounds compared to 2021-model-year vehicles with the LM2 diesel engine and rear-wheel drive. The increase in towing capacity is the result of chassis changes that enable the inclusion of the max tow package, which increases the max tow rating of 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models with the LM2 engine and rear-wheel drive to 13,200 pounds.
Additionally, 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models with the LM2 diesel engine and four-wheel drive now have a max tow rating of 13,000 pounds, an increase of 4,000 pounds compared to the 9,000-pound max tow rating of 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 models with the LM2 diesel engine and four-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine and four-wheel drive now have a max tow rating of 13,000 pounds, an increase of 1,200 pounds compared to similarly equipped 2021-model-year vehicles. Fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models equipped with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive have a max tow rating of 9,400 pounds, and increase of 300 pounds compared to the preceding model year, and 9,100 pounds when equipped with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine and four-wheel drive, an increase of 100 pounds compared to the preceding model year. To note, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B now produces 20 percent more torque than prior to the 2022-model-year refresh.
Finally, refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive have a max tow rating of 11,200 pounds, matching that of similarly equipped 2021-model-year vehicles, and 10,900 pounds when equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine and four-wheel drive, a decrease of 100 pounds compared to similarly equipped 2021-model-year vehicles.
Check out the table below for a full breakdown of the max tow ratings for the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 and how they compare to the 2021 model year:
| RPO Code | Engine | 2022 Sierra 2WD/4WD (lbs) | 2021 Sierra 2WD/4WD (lbs) | Difference 2WD/4WD (2022 vs 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV3 | 4.3L V6 | - | 7,900 / 7,700 | - |
| L3B | 2.7L I4 Turbo | 9,400 / 9,100 | 9,100 / 9,000 | +300 / +100 |
| L82 | 5.3L V8 AFM | - | 9,900 / 9,700 | - |
| L84 | 5.3L V8 DFM | 11,200 / 10,900 | 11,200 / 11,000 | 0 / -100 |
| LM2 | 3.0L I6 Turbo-Diesel | 13,200 / 13,000 | 9,200 / 9,000 | +4,000 / +4,000 |
| L87 | 6.2L V8 DFM | - / 13,000 | - / 11,800 | - / +1,200 |
| RPO Code | Engine | 2022 Sierra 2WD/4WD (kg) | 2021 Sierra 2WD/4WD (kg) | Difference 2WD/4WD (2022 vs 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV3 | 4.3L V6 | - | 3,583 / 3,493 | - |
| L3B | 2.7L I4 Turbo | 4,263 / 4,127 | 4,127 / 4,082 | +136 / +45 |
| L82 | 5.3L V8 AFM | - | 4,536 / 4,400 | - |
| L84 | 5.3L V8 DFM | 5,080 / 4,944 | 5,080 / 4,989 | 0 / -45 |
| LM2 | 3.0L I6 Turbo-Diesel | 5,988 / 5,897 | 4,173 / 4,082 | +1,815 / +1,815 |
| L87 | 6.2L V8 DFM | - / 5,897 | - / 5,352 | - / +545 |
The refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is offered with four engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, rated at 310 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87, rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The GMC Sierra rides on the GM T1 platform.
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I could be wrong, but I believe in order to get the dual exhaust you need to opt for the Z71 (Silverado) or X31 (Sierra) package, but with max tow you can’t have either of those ‘off road’ packages, so you can’t get max tow with the 3.73 axle and dual exhaust.. unless something has changed and dual exhaust gets thrown in somewhere else as well
I have the 2022 Silverado 1500 6.2 CrewCab LTZ Limited 4×4 with MaxTow and have dual exhaust. 3.42 axle ratio and my package is not a Z71.
How do you already have a 2022? 😉
I ordered it and the 2022s are available in the Limited series which is the 2021 interior and body style, it’s the 2022 refresh that isn’t out yet with updated interior
I believe that’s only true on lower trims. Upper trims have dual exhaust standard.
Oh ok, thanks for the info guys!
Why not show us people that are actually interested in the Max tow what has changed? Gear ratio, cooling etc. And the usual Gm restrictions that they will place on them in order to build the truck configured the way we want.This is just regurgitating the same crap you have been telling us since the refesh announcement!
Is this new truck going to have a rougher ride ?
What does the max tow package offer, besides heavier axles and springs ? Is there a difference in the frame ? I used to order trucks with a c6p package, It was called a”light 3/4 ton, it had 8 lug wheels and a wider track, and a heavier frame than a 1/2 ton.
Increased GCWR, automatic locking rear differential, different suspension package, enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning, heavy duty rear springs with increased RGAWR, 9.76 rear axle, 3.42 axle ratio.
Heavier frame ?
I don’t know the answer to that one but it’s rated to tow 13,300
I would be very interested to know if they can do an upgrade to the 2021 1500 with the 3.0 as an aftermarket option??
The towing wars are to begin and bragging rights. Anyone who tows regularly knows that any 1500 chassis will have handlings issues when getting over 8,000 lbs. sure it can pull, the truck will meet ANSI standards but on a windy days, hilly roads, and braking power will tax the entire truck. Smart ones if needing to tow say a 13,000 boat regularly, they’ll usually have a 2500 or 3500 and a dually is preferred.
Whoever puts 13,000lbs behind a 5,500lb half ton, please take a different route than the rest of us. Also, have auto-upload enabled on your dashcam so we can watch you slide down, then go over the side of, a mountain pass in the rain when someone panic stops in front of you. TIA
Maybe but I used to drive a 18,000lb tractor that grossed over 100,000lbs.
Diesels are winners. Clessie Cummins was right on. Diesel engine will last 3X’s longer than a gasoline engine. Also provide low end and high end torque.
The only thing I don’t like about the Duramax 3.0 is the alloy aluminum block. The grey iron block in a diesel engine is much better for heat sink. The Germans, Japanese, Cummins and Caterpillar can attest to this. Also 0W 20 engine crankcase oil for the 3.0. Strange? To me you need a heavier weight crankcase oil due to high compression pressures between the piston crown rings and bore.
Can anybody help me see otherwise? If so, please share.
My current L83 5.3 gas engine currently has 285,000 miles on it, with nothing but oil changes every 5000 miles, 2 sets of plugs, and 1 set of wires. A replacement engine will cost 5000 + 2000 labor. A replacement Duramax will be 3x that amount. I’ve had diesels, both duramax and powerstroke, once low sulfur diesel and urine fluid came out, the milage suffered to the point it didn’t make economic sense any more.
MikeC… Alas, there is mandatory electric propulsion in the future. No more liquid fuels to contend with.
.
yeah, a brave new world !
Copy from a google search Tow rating method?
SAE J2807 includes all vehicles up to 14,000 pounds GVWR. … The tow test procedures designed by the big brains at the SAE consist of a series of rigorous real-world challenges to determine the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of a vehicle and trailer combination.
Needs more chrome in the grill…………….NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t have too much chrome for me!
Ok so how about a sound off of how much you tow with your halft ton Chevy??
I have a 2021 rst 4wd 3.0 duramax it is in fact everything it is supposed to be,great power,great mileage,it pulls my 6600 lb. camper with no problem,however it is soft in the rear suspension,my dealer told me max tow wasn’t available in the 3.0,so to be clear,is the max tow package now included for the 3.0?upgraded rear suspension etc.And ride level with a 6600 pound trailer on the back?
With the increase towing capacity does it also have better payload capacity?
Good question
Dealers don’t know, will a 2022 Denali Diesel be able to tow 13,000 lb
No… the denali doesn’t look to have the option of the max tow
The 6.2 and the max towing capacity showing 13,000lbs… why does that number drop to around 7,800lbs if its a 5th wheel tow? So many trailer manufacturers are making 150 series 5th now, that only weigh about 7,800…