With the imminent arrival of the revised 2024 GMC Sierra HD lineup, GM has kept the 2023 GMC Sierra HD mostly unchanged compared to the prior 2022 model. With this upcoming mid-cycle refresh in mind, today GM Authority is reviewing 2023 Sierra HD towing capacities.
Before we dive right in, let’s review the powertrain options. The 2023 GMC Sierra HD is offered with two powerplant options. The first engine is the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine, which is rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the second powertrain is the 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax, which develops 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque.
As for transmission options, the gasoline engine connects to the GM six-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine is mated to the Allison-branded GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
It’s important to understand the factors that influence 2023 GMC Sierra HD towing capacities, including drivetrain configuration, engine, model and the type of hitch used. In this circumstance, the gooseneck hitch and diesel engine generally offer higher towing capacities.
First off, let’s check out the Sierra 2500 HD with a standard ball hitch. In this configuration, the highest towing capacity is 18,500 pounds, offered by Crew Cab models with the L5P diesel engine.
2023 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacities With Ball Hitch
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.6L V8 L8T | Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 L5P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Standard Bed Crew Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3921 |
| Standard Bed Crew Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3921 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3921 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3921 |
| Standard Bed Double Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Standard Bed Double Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Double Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Double Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
NOTE: Trucks equipped with (QG3) LT275/70R18 mud-terrain, blackwall tires have maximum conventional trailer weight rating of 12,000 lbs. or 5,443 kg.
A Sierra 2500 HD model with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch has a maximum towing capacity rating of 18,510 pounds in the Long Bed, Regular Cab, 2WD model.
2023 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacities With 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.6L V8 L8T | Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 L5P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Standard Bed Crew Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,940 / 7,6841 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3922 |
| Standard Bed Crew Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,650 / 7,5521 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3923 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,840 / 7,6391 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3922 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,550 / 7,5071 | 3.42 | 18,500 / 8,3922 |
| Standard Bed Double Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 17,050 / 7,7341 | 3.42 | 18,200 / 8,2561 |
| Standard Bed Double Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,740 / 7,5931 | 3.42 | 17,890 / 8,1151 |
| Long Bed Double Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,930 / 7,6791 | 3.42 | 18,040 / 8,1831 |
| Long Bed Double Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,650 / 7,5521 | 3.42 | 17,750 / 8,0511 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab | 2WD | 3.73 | 17,370 / 7,8791 | 3.42 | 18,510 / 8,3961 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab | 4WD | 3.73 | 17,060 / 7,7381 | 3.42 | 18,190 / 8,2511 |
2. Requires 18-inch or 20-inch wheels.
3. Requires 18-inch or 20-inch wheels. Denali trim level max capacity limited to 17,860 lbs. / 8,101 kg.
Next up is the Sierra 3500 HD, where a standard hitch model can tow up to 20,000 pounds with the L5P diesel engine.
2023 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Towing Capacities With Ball Hitch
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.6L V8 L8T | Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 L5P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Standard Bed Crew Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Standard Bed Crew Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,300 / 7,394 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,240 / 7,3661 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Double Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Double Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,400 / 7,439 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Double Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Double Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,390 / 7,435 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,800 / 7,620 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 14,500 / 6,577 | 3.42 | 14,500 / 6,577 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,800 / 7,620 | 3.42 | 20,000 / 9,072 |
And finally, a Sierra 3500 HD adorned with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch is rated at up to 36,000 pounds with the L5P diesel engine.
2023 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Towing Capacities With 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch
| Model | Drivetrain | 6.6L V8 L8T | Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 L5P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | Axle Ratio | Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| Standard Bed Crew Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,700 / 7,575 | 3.42 | 21,500 / 9,752 |
| Standard Bed Crew Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,530 / 7,4981 | 3.42 | 21,300 / 9,6622 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,700 / 7,575 | 3.42 | 21,330 / 9,675 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,200 / 7,348 | 3.42 | 31,400 / 14,243 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,410 / 7,4443 | 3.42 | 21,040 / 9,5444 |
| Long Bed Crew Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,120 / 7,3125 | 3.42 | 31,180 / 14,1436 |
| Long Bed Double Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,700 / 7,575 | 3.42 | 21,490 / 9,748 |
| Long Bed Double Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,400 / 7,439 | 3.42 | 31,500 / 14,288 |
| Long Bed Double Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,500 / 7,484 | 3.42 | 21,210 / 9,621 |
| Long Bed Double Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,270 / 7,380 | 3.42 | 31,340 / 14,216 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab SRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 17,200 / 7,802 | 3.42 | 21,500 / 9,752 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab DRW | 2WD | 3.73 | 16,800 / 7,620 | 3.42 | 32,000 / 14,5157 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab SRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,950 / 7,689 | 3.42 | 21,500 / 9,752 |
| Long Bed Regular Cab DRW | 4WD | 3.73 | 16,710 / 7,580 | 3.42 | 31,760 / 14,406 |
2. AT4 trim max trailering capacity limited to 21,130 lbs / 9,584 kg. Denali trim max trailering capacity limited to 21,010 lbs. / 9,530 kg.
3. AT4 trim max trailering capacity limited to 16,210 lbs / 7,353 kg. Denali trim max trailering capacity limited to 16,090 lbs. / 7,298 kg.
4. AT4 trim max trailering capacity limited to 21,010 lbs / 9,530 kg. Denali trim max trailering capacity limited to 20,890 lbs. / 9,476 kg.
5. Denali trim max trailering capacity limited to 15,890 lbs. / 7,208 kg.
6. Denali trim max trailering capacity limited to 30,990 lbs. / 14,057 kg.
7. When equipped with (NHT) Max Trailering Package and Gooseneck hitch, increases to 36,000 lb. / 16,329 kg max trailer weight rating.
An interesting piece to note is that these numbers are unchanged when compared to 2022 Sierra HD models.
As a reminder, the 2023 GMC Sierra HD sits on a more-capable version of GM’s T1 platform, while production kicked off mid-July at the GM Flint plant in Michigan.
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Comments
These manufacturers and their BS towing capacity estimates. What is the stopping capacity if that one wire to the trailer brakes fails.
Ford tells their F150 customers that truck can tow a house and you see these people trying to drag a hugely overweight trailer down the road with an F150, no towing mirrors, they can’t even change lanes safety because they can’t see around the trailer either.
Risk everybody’s lives to sell a truck
Wonder how the towing pull and duration will be with battery and electric motors. ???
Wow