2025 Sierra HD Tow Ratings

January 25th, 2025 by

The Robust GMC Sierra, Pulling A Long Trailer With Vigor

There are a couple of reasons why you would move past the Sierra 1500 to the Sierra 2500 or 3500 HD models. You might need the additional payload for the granite delivery account you just secured. Maybe you just like big things. But odds are, you are interested in having the Sierra tow big things, of which it is quite capable. You will get an idea of how capable in this post from Sharp Automotive. 

The Inspiring Side Profile Of The Tough 2024 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali, Pulling A Long Black Trailer With Grace

To quickly review what makes the Sierra HD so capable, we will start with the powertrains. The standard engine for the Sierra HD is the naturally aspirated 6.6-liter V8, which produces 401 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and has a peak torque rating of 464 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm. Since the 2024 model year, this gasoline engine has been mated to an Allison-brand 10-speed automatic transmission. 

The Noble 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali Ultimate, Towing An Enormous Trailer With Ease

The Duramax turbo-diesel is the other choice and often the preferred one for really big towing. This engine is also a 6.6-liter V8, rated at 470 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm and a monumental 975 lb-ft of peak torque at a low 1,600 rpm. It is mated to the Allison-brand 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Usually, a 4×4 drivetrain lowers the maximum towing capacity, but that is not really the case for the Sierra HD.  

Below are charts showing the maximum towing capacity for each Sierra HD configuration. The Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD lines each have their own charts. Because the capacity rises considerably with a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, those are broken out separately.   

 

2025 Sierra 2500HD With Ball Hitch 

(NHT = Optional Max Trailering Package) 

Model  Drivetrain  Gas 6.6L V8  Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 
    Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg)  Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg) 
Crew Cab Standard Bed  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With
NHT 		 2WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4X  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4X AEV Edition  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,400 / 8,346 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate  4WD  –  –  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed AT4  4WD  –  –  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate  4WD  –  –  3.42  18,500 / 8,392 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Double Cab Standard Bed  2WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Double Cab Standard Bed  4WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Double Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  17,900 / 8,119 
Double Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  17,600 / 7,983 
Regular Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Regular Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Regular Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Regular Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 

 

2025 Sierra 2500HD 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch 

Model  Drivetrain  Gas 6.6L V8  Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8  
    Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg)  Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg) 
Crew Cab Standard Bed  2WD  3.73  18,500 / 8,392  3.42  19,200 / 8,709 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  21,510 / 9,757 
Crew Cab Standard Bed  4WD  3.73  18,500 / 8,392  3.42  19,100 / 8,664 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  21,600 / 9,798 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4  4WD  3.73  18,000 / 8,165  3.42  17,300 / 7,847 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4 With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,800 / 9,435 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4X  4WD  3.73  18,000 / 8,165  3.42  17,300 / 7,847 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4X AEV Edition  4WD  3.73  16,200 / 7,348  3.42  14,800 / 6,713 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali  4WD  3.73  18,000 / 8,165  3.42  17,600 / 7,983 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  19,900 / 9,027 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate  4WD  –  –  3.42  17,200 / 7,802 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  19,300 / 8,754 
Crew Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  18,500 / 8,392  3.42  19,200 / 8,709 
Crew Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  21,870 / 9,920 
Crew Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  18,280 / 8,292  3.42  19,000 / 8,618 
Crew Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  21,500 / 9,752 
Crew Cab Long Bed AT4  4WD  3.73  17,900 / 8,119  3.42  18,000 / 8,165 
Crew Cab Long Bed AT4 With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  21,190 / 9,612 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali  4WD  3.73  17,900 / 8,119  3.42  18,400 / 8,346 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  19,820 / 8,990 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate  4WD  –  –  3.42  17,900 / 8,119 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  19,190 / 8,705 
Double Cab Standard Bed  2WD  3.73  18,600 / 8,437  3.42  18,100 / 8,210 
Double Cab Standard Bed  4WD  3.73  18,200 / 8,256  3.42  17,700 / 8,029 
Double Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  18,400 / 8,346  3.42  17,900 / 8,119 
Double Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  18,000 / 8,165  3.42  17,700 / 8,029 
Regular Cab Long Bed  2WD  3.73  18,700 / 8,482  3.42  18,400 / 8,346 
Regular Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  22,390 / 10,156 
Regular Cab Long Bed  4WD  3.73  18,300 / 8,301  3.42  18,200 / 8,256 
Regular Cab Long Bed Pro, SLE And SLT With NHT  4WD  –  –  3.42  22,000 / 9,979 

 

 

2025 Sierra 3500HD With Ball Hitch 

Model  Drivetrain  Gas 6.6L V8 L8T  Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 L5P 
    Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg)  Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg) 
Crew Cab Standard Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4 SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate SRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,200 / 8,256  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed AT4 SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate SRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  17,800 / 8,074  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali DRW  4WD  3.73  17,500 / 7,938  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate DRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Double Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Double Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,300 / 8,301  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Double Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  16,000 / 7,258  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Double Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  18,000 / 8,165  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Regular Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,700 / 8,482  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 
Regular Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  14,500 / 6,577  3.42  14,500 / 6,577 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  18,400 / 8,346  3.42  20,000 / 9,072 

 

 

 

2025 Sierra 3500HD With 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch 

Model  Drivetrain  Gas 6.6L V8  Turbo-Diesel 6.6L V8 
    Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg)  Axle Ratio  Max Trailer Weight (lb. / kg) 
Crew Cab Standard Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  18,650 / 8,460  3.42  21,900 / 9,934 
Crew Cab Standard Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  18,300 / 8,301  3.42  21,600 / 9,798 
Crew Cab Standard Bed AT4 SRW  4WD  3.73  17,900 / 8,119  3.42  21,300 / 9,662 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali SRW  4WD  3.73  17,900 / 8,119  3.42  21,200 / 9,616 
Crew Cab Standard Bed Denali Ultimate SRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  21,100 / 9,571 
Crew Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  18,510 / 8,396  3.42  22,070 / 10,011 
Crew Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,230 / 8,269  3.42  31,440 / 14,261 
Crew Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  18,230 / 8,269  3.42  21,460 / 9,734 
Crew Cab Long Bed AT4 SRW  4WD  3.73  17,800 / 8,074  3.42  21,200 / 9,616 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali SRW  4WD  3.73  17,800 / 8,074  3.42  21,100 / 9,571 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate SRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  21,000 / 9,526 
Crew Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  17,800 / 8,074  3.42  31,000 / 14,062 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali DRW  4WD  3.73  17,500 / 7,938  3.42  30,800 / 13,971 
Crew Cab Long Bed Denali Ultimate DRW  4WD  –  –  3.42  30,700 / 13,926 
Double Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  18,620 / 8,446  3.42  21,900 / 9,934 
Double Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,300 / 8,301  3.42  31,580 / 14,325 
Double Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  18,310 / 8,305  3.42  21,590 / 9,793 
Double Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  17,990 / 8,160  3.42  31,270 / 14,184 
Regular Cab Long Bed SRW  2WD  3.73  19,080 / 8,655  3.42  22,420 / 10,170 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW  2WD  3.73  18,760 / 8,510  3.42  35,500 / 16,1032 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW With NHT  2WD  –  –  3.42  36,000 / 16,3302 
Regular Cab Long Bed SRW  4WD  3.73  18,700 / 8,482  3.42  22,040 / 9,997 
Regular Cab Long Bed DRW  4WD  3.73  18,380 / 8,337  3.42  31,500 / 14,288 

Keep in mind these are general guidelines. Before towing, you need to be aware of a model’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to understand how much you can load in your vehicle. You should also be aware of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), which rates the limit for the full load of the truck and trailer. These figures will be labeled on each GMC Sierra HD vehicle. 

The Capable GMC Sierra, Towing With Miraculous Strength

If you believe you are close to the GCWR, arrange to have your fully loaded truck and trailer weighed at a vehicle scale, such as at Stone’s Truck Stop. Also, remember to consider any additional passengers you will have on your trip. 

If you have any additional questions, please inquire with the Sharp Automotive Service Professionals. Happy towing. 

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