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

If you’re shopping for a new GMC truck, one of the biggest questions is simple: Which GMC truck can tow the most? At GMC Fort Walton Beach, our friendly and knowledgeable sales team can help you find what you need in a truck. 

Whether you’re hauling a boat, camper, work trailer, or heavy equipment, GMC offers a pickup designed to match your lifestyle. From the versatile GMC Canyon to the heavy-duty Sierra HD lineup and innovative Sierra EV and HUMMER EV Pickup, every GMC truck delivers impressive capability.

Use the following guide to compare 2026 GMC towing capacities, payload ratings, and engine options so you can choose the right truck for your needs.

GMC Truck Towing Capacity at a Glance

GMC Sierra 1500 Towing and Payload 

The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 is GMC’s most popular full-size pickup and offers an excellent combination of capability, technology, and everyday comfort. With four available engines and multiple cab and bed configurations, it’s easy to find a Sierra that’s ready for work or weekend adventures.

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

 Best for: Daily driving, light-duty trailers, and recreational equipment

• Maximum towing capacity: 9,500 lbs
• Maximum payload: 2,230 lbs

The TurboMax delivers impressive low-end torque and offers more than enough capability for utility trailers, boats, and ATVs.

5.3L EcoTec3 V8

Best for: Campers, enclosed trailers, and work equipment

• Maximum towing capacity: 11,200 lbs
• Maximum payload: 2,120 lbs

The 5.3L V8 provides an excellent balance of power and everyday drivability.

6.2L EcoTec3 V8

Best for: Maximum gasoline-powered performance

• Maximum towing capacity: 13,100 lbs
• Maximum payload: 1,870 lbs

Drivers looking for premium performance and stronger acceleration will appreciate the 6.2L V8.

3.0L Duramax® Turbo Diesel

Best for: Long-distance towing and fuel efficiency

• Maximum towing capacity: 13,300 lbs
• Maximum payload: 1,880 lbs

The available Duramax diesel produces exceptional torque and delivers the highest towing capacity available in the Sierra 1500 lineup.

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: 

6.6L Gas V8

Sierra 2500 HD

• Conventional towing: 16,000 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 18,700 lbs
• Payload: 4,039 lbs

Sierra 3500 HD Single Rear Wheel

• Conventional towing: 16,000 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 19,080 lbs
• Payload: 4,502 lbs

Sierra 3500 HD Dual Rear Wheel

• Conventional towing: 18,700 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 18,760 lbs
• Payload: 7,234 lbs

6.6-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel Engine 

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 

6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel

Sierra 2500 HD

• Conventional towing: 20,000 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 22,430 lbs
• Payload: 4,094 lbs

Sierra 3500 HD Single Rear Wheel

• Conventional towing: 20,000 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 22,430 lbs
• Payload: 4,403 lbs

Sierra 3500 HD Dual Rear Wheel

• Conventional towing: 20,000 lbs
• Fifth-wheel towing: 32,000 lbs
• Gooseneck towing: 36,000 lbs
• Payload: 6,584 lbs

Looking for the GMC truck with the highest towing capacity? The properly equipped Sierra 3500 HD Dual Rear Wheel with the available Duramax Turbo Diesel leads the lineup with up to 36,000 pounds of maximum gooseneck towing.

GMC Canyon Towing and Payload 

The 2026 GMC Canyon is proof that a midsize truck can still handle serious work.

Powered exclusively by the TurboMax engine, every Canyon offers confident performance while remaining easy to park and maneuver around town.

TurboMax Engine

• Maximum towing capacity: 7,700 lbs
• Maximum payload: 1,640 lbs

Whether you’re towing a fishing boat, utility trailer, small camper, or side-by-side, the Canyon is more than capable of handling weekend adventures.

GMC Hummer EV Pickup Towing and Payload 

GMC’s first all-electric truck combines all-electric performance with serious capability. Built on GM’s advanced Ultium platform, it delivers incredible horsepower, instant torque, and remarkable off-road capability.

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: 

HUMMER EV 2X

• Maximum towing capacity: 12,000 lbs
• Maximum payload: 1,485 lbs
• GM-estimated range: 311 miles

HUMMER EV 3X

• Maximum towing capacity: 8,500 lbs
• Maximum payload: 1,300 lbs
• GM-estimated range: 381 miles

GMC Sierra EV Towing and Payload 

The Sierra EV blends the practicality of a full-size pickup with advanced electric vehicle technology.

Available four-wheel steering, available CrabWalk®, and an available Max Range battery make the Sierra EV one of the most capable electric trucks in the segment.

• Maximum towing capacity: Up to 10,500 lbs
• Maximum payload: Up to 1,500 lbs
• GM-estimated driving range: Up to 460 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.