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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
A 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds when properly equipped.
The 2018 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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow?
The 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has a towing capacity of 12,500 pounds.
The 2018 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.
Towing Capacity By Engine Size
There are three engine options for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500: a 4.3L V6 engine, a 5.3L V8 engine, and a 6.2L Gas engine.
2018 Sierra 1500 6.2L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 12,500 pounds
2018 Sierra 1500 5.3L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 11,100 pounds
2018 Sierra 1500 4.3L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 7,400 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2018 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.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are five trim levels for the 2018 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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500:
2018 Sierra 1500 Base: 11,100 pounds (with 5.3L engine)
2018 Sierra 1500 SLE: 11,100 pounds (with 5.3L engine)
2018 Sierra 1500 Elevation: 11,300 pounds (with 5.3L engine)
2018 Sierra 1500 SLT: 12,500 pounds (with 6.2L engine)
2018 Sierra 1500 Denali: 12,500 pounds (with 6.2L engine)
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 is 2,543 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.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Tow Package
The 2018 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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 include a hitch receiver, trailer wiring harness, and a trailer brake controller.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2018 Ford F-150 and the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the GMC Sierra 1500 and their towing capacities below:
2018 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity: 13,200 pounds
2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity: 12,500 pounds
2018 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity: 10,620 pounds
2018 Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity: 10,200 pounds
2018 Nissan Titan Towing Capacity: 9,740 pounds
2018 GMC Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
Model | Towing Capacity |
2018 GMC Sierra 3500 | 23,300 lbs |
2018 GMC Sierra 2500 | 14,500 lbs |
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 | 12,500 lbs |
2018 GMC Canyon | 7,550 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2018 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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500.