GMC Sierra 1500
- Years covered
- 1999–2023
- Configurations
- 780
- Observed tow range
- 3,500 – 12,000 lbs
- Payload range
- 1,215 – 2,543 lbs
- Peak payload
- 2,543 lbs in 2019
Home · Compare · Sierra 1500 vs 1500
GMC Sierra 1500 vs RAM 1500 Towing Capacity
GMC Sierra 1500 has the higher peak towing rating represented in our dataset
Sierra 1500
Highest rating represented in our dataset
12,000 lbs1500
Highest rating represented in our dataset
11,500 lbsDifference
Peak ratings in dataset
+500 lbsGMC Sierra 1500 has the higher peak rating in 9 of 11 shared model years; RAM 1500 leads in 2.
Across the model years represented in our database, the GMC Sierra 1500 reaches a higher peak towing rating (12,000 lbs vs 11,500 lbs, difference 500 lbs). In shared model years with data, Sierra 1500 leads in 9 and 1500 leads in 2. The exact difference depends heavily on model year and configuration.
RAM 1500
- Years covered
- 2012–2022
- Configurations
- 319
- Observed tow range
- 3,450 – 11,500 lbs
- Payload range
- 1,050 – 3,125 lbs
- Peak towing
- 11,500 lbs in 2012 (2012)
- Peak payload
- 3,125 lbs in 2012
At a glance
Maximum towing represented
Sierra 150012,000 lbs
150011,500 lbs
Sierra 1500 wins
Peak towing advantage
Sierra 1500+500 lbs
1500—
Sierra 1500 wins
Maximum payload (validated)
Sierra 15002,543 lbs
15003,125 lbs
1500 wins
Observed towing range
Sierra 15003,500 lbs – 12,000 lbs
15003,450 lbs – 11,500 lbs
Years covered
Sierra 15001999–2023
15002012–2022
Configurations available
Sierra 1500780
1500319
Peak towing years
Sierra 150012,000 lbs in 2016, 2017
150011,500 lbs in 2012
Peak payload years
Sierra 15002,543 lbs in 2019
15003,125 lbs in 2012
Sierra 1500
VS1500
Which one works for your trailer?
Searching configurations for the selected years (2017 Sierra 1500 vs 2017 1500). Clear years in the bar above to search the full model history.
Compare specific model years
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2017 RAM 1500
Decision metrics
Peak towing represented
Sierra 150012,000 lbs
15007,920 lbs
Sierra 1500: -4,080 lbs / -34.0%
Peak payload
Sierra 15001,840 lbs
1500Not available in our dataset
Not enough data to compare
Minimum towing represented
Sierra 15006,000 lbs
15004,280 lbs
Sierra 1500: -1,720 lbs / -28.7%
Minimum payload
Sierra 15001,660 lbs
1500Not available in our dataset
Not enough data to compare
Sierra 1500
- GVWR range
- 6,900 – 7,200 lbs
- Curb weight range
- 5,035 – 5,509 lbs
- GCWR
- Not available in our dataset
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Crew Cab
- Bed lengths
- 5.75 ft, 6.5 ft
- Axle ratios
- 3.08, 3.23, 3.42
- Engines
- 4.3 liters V-6, 5.3 liters V-8
- Configuration count
- 12
1500
- GVWR range
- —
- Curb weight range
- —
- GCWR
- Not available in our dataset
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Quad Cab
- Bed lengths
- Not available in our dataset
- Axle ratios
- Not available in our dataset
- Engines
- 3.0 liters V-6, 3.6 liters V-6
- Configuration count
- 9
Data coverage
GMC Sierra 1500 2017: 12 configurations
RAM 1500 2017: 9 configurations
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
Compare towing capacity by year
Maximum observed towing capacity per model year in our dataset. Click a year to select it for detailed comparison.
Sierra 15001500
Sierra 1500 vs 1500 by year
Every year where either model has data. Missing values are not treated as zero.
| Year | Sierra 1500 max tow | 1500 max tow | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2022 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2021 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs 1500 | 1500 |
| 2017 | 12,000 lbs | 7,920 lbs | -4,080 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2016 | 12,000 lbs | 8,210 lbs | -3,790 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2015 | 9,400 lbs | 9,180 lbs | -220 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2014 | 9,800 lbs | 8,750 lbs | -1,050 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2013 | 9,600 lbs | 8,950 lbs | -650 lbs Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 |
| 2012 | 9,300 lbs | 11,500 lbs | +2,200 lbs 1500 | 1500 |
| 2011 | 9,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 9,600 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 8,600 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 8,600 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 8,100 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 8,100 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 10,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 10,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 9,300 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 9,400 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 6,500 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
Payload capacity by model year
Maximum observed payload for both models across years. Higher tow rating is not always the only relevant choice.
Sierra 15001500
Best towing configurations
2017 GMC Sierra 1500
- Denali5.3 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.42Max towing 12,000 lbs · Payload 1,790 lbs
- Denali5.3 liters V-8 · 4x4 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.42Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,720 lbs
- Denali5.3 liters V-8 · 4x4 · Crew Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.42Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,660 lbs
- SLT5.3 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.08Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,840 lbs
- SLT5.3 liters V-8 · 4x4 · Crew Cab · 5.75 ft · 3.08Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 1,770 lbs
2017 RAM 1500
- HFE3.0 liters V-6 · 4x2 · Quad CabMax towing 7,920 lbs
- Laramie3.6 liters V-6 · 4x4 · Quad CabMax towing 7,920 lbs
- Tradesman/Express3.6 liters V-6 · 4x2 · Quad CabMax towing 5,020 lbs
- Tradesman/Express3.6 liters V-6 · 4x4 · Quad CabMax towing 4,830 lbs
- SLT3.6 liters V-6 · 4x2 · Quad CabMax towing 4,650 lbs
Compare exact configurations
Change vehicle — open the comparison builder to pick a different pair.
Where each model has the advantage
GMC Sierra 1500
- Higher maximum towing in: 9 of 11 comparable years
Show years
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Higher payload in: 5 of 9 comparable years
Show years
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
RAM 1500
- Higher maximum towing in: 2 of 11 comparable years
Show years
2012, 2018
- Higher payload in: 4 of 9 comparable years
Show years
2012, 2020, 2021, 2022
Years where these models are closest
Shared years with the smallest absolute difference in maximum towing ratings.
| Year | Sierra 1500 | 1500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 9,400 lbs | 9,180 lbs | -220 lbs |
| 2013 | 9,600 lbs | 8,950 lbs | -650 lbs |
| 2022 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs |
| 2021 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs |
| 2014 | 9,800 lbs | 8,750 lbs | -1,050 lbs |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
Years with the biggest towing-capacity difference
| Year | Sierra 1500 | 1500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12,000 lbs | 7,920 lbs | -4,080 lbs |
| 2016 | 12,000 lbs | 8,210 lbs | -3,790 lbs |
| 2012 | 9,300 lbs | 11,500 lbs | +2,200 lbs |
| 2020 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2019 | 9,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | -2,000 lbs |
| 2018 | 9,000 lbs | 10,140 lbs | +1,140 lbs |
| 2014 | 9,800 lbs | 8,750 lbs | -1,050 lbs |
| 2022 | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | -1,000 lbs |
Data coverage / methodology
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
- Peak values are the highest ratings represented in our dataset, not a claim of manufacturer completeness.
- Missing values are never treated as zero.
- We do not use averages of towing configurations as a primary comparison metric.
- Trailer “match” means the entered limits are satisfied by ratings in our dataset — additional real-world vehicle/trailer limits may apply. We never say a tow is “safe.”
Model pages
GMC Sierra 1500 towing capacity · RAM 1500 towing capacity