Makes · GMC · GMC Sierra 1500
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 4,400 – 9,600 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
39 configurations
39 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
Across 39 configurations with published ratings, 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 towing capacity ranges from 4,400 lbs to 9,600 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 4,400 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 9,600 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 39 of 39
Highest-rated example: Denali · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 9,600 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Work Truck · 4x2 — 4,400 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denali | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 5.75 ft | 3.42 | 9,600 lbs | 1,619 lbs |
| Denali | Crew Cab | 4x4 | 5.75 ft | 3.42 | 9,300 lbs | 1,592 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x4 | 5.75 ft | 3.73 | 7,500 lbs | 1,439 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x4 | 6.6 ft | 3.73 | 7,500 lbs | 1,737 lbs |
| SLE1 | Extended Cab | 4x4 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 7,300 lbs | 1,565 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x4 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 7,300 lbs | 1,565 lbs |
| Work Truck | Extended Cab | 4x4 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 7,300 lbs | 1,565 lbs |
| Xtra Fuel Economy | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 5.75 ft | 3.08 | 7,000 lbs | 1,573 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x2 | 5.75 ft | 3.42 | 6,800 lbs | 1,414 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x2 | 6.6 ft | 3.42 | 6,700 lbs | 1,373 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 4,400 – 9,600 lbs (median 4,950 lbs) across 20 configurations in this dataset.
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 4,900 – 9,300 lbs (median 5,500 lbs) across 19 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 4,700 – 9,600 lbs (11 configurations).
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 4,400 – 7,500 lbs (20 configurations).
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 4,700 – 6,000 lbs (8 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.08 | 7,000 lbs | 1 |
| 3.23 | 4,400 – 5,200 lbs | 12 |
| 3.42 | 5,500 – 9,600 lbs | 19 |
| 3.73 | 4,900 – 7,500 lbs | 7 |
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,373 – 1,842 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 39
Highest-payload configurations
- SLE1 · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 1,842 lbs
- Work Truck · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 1,842 lbs
- SLT · 4x4 · Extended Cab — 1,737 lbs
- SL · 4x4 · Extended Cab — 1,737 lbs
- SLE1 · 4x4 · Extended Cab — 1,737 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Drivetrain
| Drivetrain | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| 4x2 | 4,400 – 9,600 lbs | 20 |
| 4x4 | 4,900 – 9,300 lbs | 19 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 4,700 – 9,600 lbs | 11 |
| Extended Cab | 4,400 – 7,500 lbs | 20 |
| Regular Cab | 4,700 – 6,000 lbs | 8 |
Bed lengths
| Bed | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| 5.75 ft | 4,400 – 9,600 lbs | 17 |
| 6.6 ft | 4,400 – 7,500 lbs | 12 |
| 8 ft | 4,700 – 7,300 lbs | 10 |
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.08 | 7,000 lbs | 7,000 lbs | 1 |
| 3.23 | 4,400 – 5,200 lbs | 4,700 lbs | 12 |
| 3.42 | 5,500 – 9,600 lbs | 6,000 lbs | 19 |
| 3.73 | 4,900 – 7,500 lbs | 7,300 lbs | 7 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Drivetrain: 4x2, 4x4
- Axle ratios: 3.08, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73
- Cab styles: Crew Cab, Extended Cab, Regular Cab
- Bed lengths: 5.75 ft, 6.6 ft, 8 ft
- Published towing range: 4,400 – 9,600 lbs
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denali 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 9,600 lbs | 5,181 lbs | 1,619 lbs | 403 | 418 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| Denali 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 9,300 lbs | 5,408 lbs | 1,592 lbs | 403 | 418 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 7,500 lbs | 5,361 lbs | 1,439 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.73 | 133.9 |
| SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 7,500 lbs | 5,263 lbs | 1,737 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.73 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 7,300 lbs | 5,435 lbs | 1,565 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.73 | 157.5 |
| SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 7,300 lbs | 5,435 lbs | 1,565 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.73 | 157.5 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 7,300 lbs | 5,435 lbs | 1,565 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.73 | 157.5 |
| Xtra Fuel Economy 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 7,000 lbs | 5,227 lbs | 1,573 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.08 | 143.5 |
| SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 6,800 lbs | 4,986 lbs | 1,414 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 133.9 |
| SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 6,700 lbs | 5,027 lbs | 1,373 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 6,600 lbs | 5,208 lbs | 1,692 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 157.5 |
| SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 6,600 lbs | 5,208 lbs | 1,692 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 157.5 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Extended Cab 8 ft. box 157.5 in. WB | 6,600 lbs | 5,208 lbs | 1,692 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 157.5 |
| SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 6,100 lbs | 5,227 lbs | 1,573 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x4 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | 6,000 lbs | 4,798 lbs | 1,602 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 119.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 6,000 lbs | 5,348 lbs | 1,652 lbs | 315 | 338 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | 5,800 lbs | 5,007 lbs | 1,393 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 133.0 |
| SL 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,348 lbs | 1,652 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SL 4x4 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,263 lbs | 1,737 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,348 lbs | 1,652 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x4 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,361 lbs | 1,439 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 133.9 |
| SLE1 4x4 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,263 lbs | 1,737 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,348 lbs | 1,652 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,361 lbs | 1,439 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 133.9 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 5,500 lbs | 5,263 lbs | 1,737 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.42 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x2 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | 5,200 lbs | 4,558 lbs | 1,842 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 119.0 |
| SLE1 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | 5,100 lbs | 4,751 lbs | 1,649 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 133.0 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | 5,100 lbs | 4,798 lbs | 1,602 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.73 | 119.0 |
| Work Truck 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | 4,900 lbs | 5,007 lbs | 1,393 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.73 | 133.0 |
| SLE1 4x2 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 4,800 lbs | 4,986 lbs | 1,414 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 133.9 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Regular Cab 6.6 ft. box 119 in. WB | 4,800 lbs | 4,558 lbs | 1,842 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.23 | 119.0 |
| SL 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 5,227 lbs | 1,573 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
| SL 4x2 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 5,027 lbs | 1,373 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 5,227 lbs | 1,573 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
| SLE1 4x2 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 5,027 lbs | 1,373 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Crew Cab 5.75 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 5,227 lbs | 1,573 lbs | 295 | 305 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 133 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 4,751 lbs | 1,649 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.23 | 133.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 5.75 ft. box 133.9 in. WB | 4,400 lbs | 4,986 lbs | 1,414 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.23 | 133.9 |
| Work Truck 4x2 Extended Cab 6.6 ft. box 143.5 in. WB | 4,400 lbs | 5,027 lbs | 1,373 lbs | 195 | 260 | 3.23 | 143.5 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.