What’s the Best GMC Truck for Towing and Hauling?

There are tons of reasons to buy a pickup. Having a cargo box is endlessly useful, few vehicles are as good at tough mudding, and nothing else tows quite like a truck. 

When it comes to choosing the right truck for you, it’s essential to pick one that can haul what you need it to. Have a gander at this quick guide to find out which GMC truck is best for your needs. 

GMC Sierra 1500 Towing and Payload 

The original GMC pickup truck is massively capable and versatile—it can be optioned with RWD or 4WD, has 5 available cab and bed configurations, and 4 available engines. 

All of these decisions will have an effect on how much you can tow and haul, but the powertrain is the biggest deciding factor. Here’s a breakdown of the specs:

• TurboMax Engine (standard on Pro, SLE, and Elevation) 

• • Max conventional trailering: 9,500 pounds 

• • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 9,400 pounds 

• • Max payload: 2,230 pounds 

• 5.3-liter V8 Engine (standard on SLT and Denali; available on Pro, SLE, and Elevation) 

• • Max conventional trailering: 11,200 pounds 

• • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 10,000 pounds 

• • Max payload: 2,120 pounds 

• 6.2-liter V8 Engine (standard on Denali Ultimate; available on SLT, AT4, Denali, and AT4X) 

• • Max conventional trailering: 13,100 pounds 

• • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 8,200 pounds 

• • Max payload: 1,870 pounds 

• 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel Engine (standard on AT4 and AT4X; available on SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, and Denali Ultimate) 

• • Max conventional trailering: 13,300 pounds 

• • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 8,900 pounds 

• • Max payload: 1,880 pounds 

GMC Sierra HD Towing and Payload 

If you find yourself needing to get into some truly serious trailering activities, the Sierra HD is your go-to for something with a lot of extra oomph, especially if you have a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer. 

The Sierra HD line has two available engine options: a 6.6-liter gas V8 with 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel with 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque. For the 2024 model, both are married to an Allison 10-speed automatic. 

However, with the Sierra HD, the specific model and body style matters quite a lot too. You can go with the 2500 HD or the beefy 3500 HD, the latter of which comes in single rear wheel and dual rear wheel variants. Here’s a full breakdown: 

• 6.6-liter Gas V8 Engine (standard on Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, AT4X, and Denali) 

• • 2500 HD 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 16,000 pounds 

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 18,700 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 4,039 pounds 

• • 3500 HD SRW 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 16,000 pounds 

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 19,080 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 4,502 pounds 

• • 3500 HD DRW 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 18,700 pounds

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 18,760 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 7,234 pounds 

• 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel Engine (standard on Denali Ultimate; available on all other trims) 

• • 2500 HD 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 20,000 pounds 

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 22,430 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 4,094 pounds 

• • 3500 HD SRW 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 20,000 pounds 

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 22,430 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 4,403 pounds 

• • 3500 HD DRW 

• • • Max conventional trailering: 20,000 pounds 

• • • Max fifth-wheel trailering: 32,000 pounds 

• • • Max gooseneck trailering: 36,000 pounds 

• • • Max payload: 6,584 pounds 

GMC Canyon Towing and Payload 

At the other end of the GMC truck spectrum, we have the midsize king, the Canyon. Trailering and payload specs for this truck are quite a bit simpler because it only has one body style and one available engine. The Canyon may be the smallest of the GMC trucks, but it still has plenty of towing power to be dangerous. Here are the numbers: 

• TurboMax Engine 

• • Max conventional trailering: 7,700 pounds 

• • Max payload: 1,640 pounds 

GMC Hummer EV Pickup Towing and Payload 

GMC’s first all-electric truck has some pretty impressive specs, with more max towing capacity than many similarly sized gas-powered pickups and a heck of a lot of range. 

There are two- and three-motor setups available, as well as two different sizes of battery pack, both of which affect how much it can tow and how far it can go: 

• 2x 

• • Max conventional trailering: 12,000 pounds 

• • Max payload: 1,485 pounds

• • Estimated range: 311 miles 

• 3x 

• • Max conventional trailering: 8,500 pounds 

• • Max payload: 1,300 pounds 

• • Estimated range: 381 miles 

GMC Sierra EV Towing and Payload 

The Sierra EV has yet to fully circulate—only the Denali Edition 1 has been made available to a select lucky few people—but GMC has released some truly exciting specs for their newest electric truck. Here are a few numbers: 

• Denali Edition 1 

• • Estimated max conventional trailering: 10,000 pounds 

• • Estimated max payload: 1,450 pounds 

• • Estimated range: 440 miles 

Find the Best Trucks for Towing Near Crestview, FL 

At GMC Fort Walton Beach, we have a wide range of pickup trucks to suit all needs, so no matter what you’re looking to get into, we’ve got you covered. 

We also have tons of special offers on new trucks and finance options to ensure you get a monthly payment you’re happy with. Contact us online or give us a call at (850) 250-0603 to learn more about finding your dream truck for sale near Destin, FL.