2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity

The GMC Sierra 1500 was introduced into GMC’s lineup as a full-size pickup truck in 1998 and is still made today. GMC is one of the best-selling truck brands in the USA and has many features consumers expect from today’s trucks, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

A 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.

There’s a bit more to know about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.

How Much Can The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow?

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 has a towing capacity of 12,000 pounds.

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.

You can always reach out to your local GMC dealership for details to confirm how much your Sierra 1500 can tow.

You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.

GMC Sierra 1500 towing a trailer
The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 has a max towing capacity of 12,000 pounds which makes it capable of pulling heavy loads.

Towing Capacity By Engine Size

There are three engine options for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500: a 4.3L V6 engine, a 5.3L V8 engine, and a 6.2L Gas engine.

2016 Sierra 1500 6.2L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 12,000 pounds

2016 Sierra 1500 5.3L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 11,100 pounds

2016 Sierra 1500 4.3L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 7,400 pounds

Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 engine. Your GMC Sierra 1500 may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Chart
2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Chart

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow Capacity By Trim Level

There are five trim levels for the 2016 Sierra 1500, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.

Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500:

2016 Sierra 1500 Base: 11,100 pounds (with 5.3L engine)

2016 Sierra 1500 SLE: 11,100 pounds (with 5.3L engine)

2016 Sierra 1500 SLT: 12,000 pounds (with 6.2L engine)

2016 Sierra 1500 Denali: 12,000 pounds (with 6.2L engine)

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Payload Capacity

The maximum payload capacity of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 is 2,260 pounds.

Please note, the payload capacity will vary based on factors such as engine type, drivetrain and whether or not your vehicle is equipped with a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler.

If you are unsure of your vehicle’s payload capacity, please contact your local dealership for details.

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow Package

The 2016 Sierra 1500 does not come with a tow package installed, but it is available as an add-on for specific trim levels.

Towing package options that can be added to the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 include a hitch receiver,  trailer wiring harness, and a trailer brake controller.

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing.  This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2016 Ford F-150 and the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500.

Here are some similar vehicles to the GMC Sierra 1500 and their towing capacities below:

2016 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity: 12,200 pounds

2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity: 12,000 pounds

2016 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity: 10,640 pounds

2016 Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity: 10,500 pounds

2016 Nissan XD Titan Towing Capacity: 12,313 pounds

2016 GMC Trucks Towing Capacity Chart

ModelTowing Capacity
2016 GMC Sierra 350023,200 lbs
2016 GMC Sierra 250014,500 lbs
2016 GMC Sierra 150012,000 lbs
2016 GMC Canyon7,550 lbs
2016 GMC Trucks Towing Capacity Chart

Data Accuracy

We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner’s Manual on Mopar’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.

Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500.

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