Whether you're getting ready to haul a truckload of furniture for a friend or you're preparing a full trailer to pull behind your truck on the highway, it's important to know how much your truck weighs and what it's limitations are. To help give you a better understanding, we've spent time researching the various weights of the GMC Sierra pickup trucks that are available for 2021.
The GMC Sierra weights between 4,369lbs and 4,867lbs. The curb weight, or how much your truck weighs when empty, will vary depending on the trim level you are comparing, the cab size and style, the bed length, and if you're accounting for 4x2 or 4x4. Below is a breakdown of the weight range of all trim levels:
- GMC Sierra: 4,369-4,867 lbs.
- GMC Sierra SLE: 4,602-4,867 lbs.
- GMC Sierra Elevation: 4,602-4,867 lbs.
- GMC Sierra SLT: 4,602-4,867 lbs.
- GMC Sierra AT4: 4,816-4,867 lbs.
- GMC Sierra Denali: 4,602-4,867 lbs.
The trim level, cab size, and other choices you'll make will greatly change not only the curb weight of your GMC Sierra, but also impacts the maximum towing capacity and maximum payload that your pickup truck can safely handle. We've looked at various official sources to determine these limits, and have broken them down for you in an easy to understand post. Read on to see what we've uncovered, as well as some other helpful information regarding owning a GMC Sierra.
Weight of GMC Sierra by Trim Levels
Listed below are the curb weights of the various trim styles of the GMC Sierra and how the curb weights vary based on cab size, bed length, and 4x2 versus 4x4:
GMC Sierra
- The base model Sierra 4x2 weighs 4,369lbs
- The crew cab 4x2 weighs 4,602lbs
- The double cab 4x2 weighs 4,599lbs
- The short crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
- The standard crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,867lbs
- The regular cab long box 4x4 weighs 4,582lbs
- The double cab standard box 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
GMC Sierra SLE
- The SLE Crew cab 4x2 weighs 4,602lbs
- The SLE double cab 4x2 weighs 4,599lbs
- The SLE short crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
- The SLE standard crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,867lbs
- The SLE double standard crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
GMC Sierra Elevation
- The Elevation crew cab 4x2 weighs 4,602lbs
- The Elevation double cab 4x2 weighs 4,599lbs
- The Elevation short crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
- The Elevation standard crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,867lbs
- The Elevation standard double cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
GMC Sierra SLT
- The SLT crew cab 4x2 weighs 4,602lbs
- The SLT short crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,815lbs
- The SLT standard crew cab 4x4 weighs 4,867lbs
GMC Sierra AT-4
- The AT-4 short crew cab weighs 4,815lbs
- The AT-4 standard crew cab weighs 4,867lbs
GMC Sierra Denali
- The Denali short crew cab weighs 4,815lbs
- The Denali standard crew cab weighs 4,867lbs
For more information about the specs of the GMC Sierra, you can get information from the manufacturer here.
What is the GMC Sierra's towing capacity?
Knowing the towing capacity set by the manufacturer is critical to both the safety of the passengers on board the truck and to the folks you share the road with. Failure to know and follow the towing capacity maximums can result in severe damage to the GMC Sierra's frame, axels, and tow hitch, as well as potentially resulting in your tow load being detached in the middle of the tow. Too much weight being pulled will also place an undue amount of tension on your Sierra's engine. It can also significantly decrease the lifetime of the engine and the transmission.
The towing capacity ranges by trim levels are:
- Sierra 1500, SLE, Elevation, and SLT crew cabs: 7,400-11,800lbs
- Sierra 1500, SLE, Elevation, and SLT double cabs: 9,000-11,300lbs
- Sierra 1500, SLE, Elevation and SLT regular cabs: 7,600-9,900lbs
- AT-4: 8,800-11,800lbs
- Denali: 8,500-9,500lbs
What is the Sierra's maximum payload?
Knowing the difference between a pickup truck's towing capacity and maximum payload can be a little confusing, but it's important to know the difference before you attach a trailer to your GMC Sierra's hitch or start piling cargo into the bed. While the towing capacity refers to how much trailered weight your GMC Sierra can pull behind it, the payload capacity refers to how much weight you can safely place inside the truck itself. This includes not only the bed of the truck, but it combines the weight of who or what is inside the cab as well. Like towing capacity, the payload capacity for the GMC Sierra will vary greatly by the trim level selected, as well as the bed size, cab style, 4x2 or 4x4 styles, and type of engine. The range of payload maximum by trim level is as follows:
- Sierra 1500, SLE, Elevation, and SLT crew cabs: 1,520-2,140lbs
- Sierra 1500, SLE, Elevation, and SLT double cabs: 1,750-2,170lbs
- Sieraa 1500, SLE, Elevation, and SLT regular cabs: 2,020-2,250lbs
- AT-4: 1,540-2,120lbs
- Denali: 1,550-2,040
Ignoring the maximum payload of your GMC Sierra can result in great damage to your pickup truck. Too much weight on board can severely damage your Sierra's frame, axels, and tires. Being overloaded can also put a great deal of strain on your truck's engine and transmission. Should you purchase a GMC Sierra, please consult the owner's manual for the exact manufacturer's recommendations for payload maximums and other safety precautions.
For a more detailed look at both maximum payload and towing capacity for any GMC Sierra pickup truck, read more here.
What other trucks are similar to the GMC Sierra?
While the exteriors of the GMC Sierra and the Chevy Silverado are very different, both model trucks are very similar mechanically. Both have the same engine availability, in 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engines. As far as transmission options, both are available in 6, 8, or 10 speeds. The Silverado and Sierra are both equipped with 4.3 liter V-6 engines, and 285 horsepower.
Fuel economy is similar for these trucks per gallon, with the Sierra having a little edge over the Silverado. The Sierra will get between 16 and 22 miles per gallon in town and 20 to 30 miles per gallon for highway travel, while the Silverado enjoys 14-20 miles per gallon in the city and 18 to 24 miles per gallon on the highway. Exact mileage amounts will of course vary by trim model, cargo weight, tire pressure, and driving habits.
The GMC Sienna and the Chevy Silverado both ride on ladder frames, giving both models better wheel articulation. Both also have tall and deep beds, as well as upright front ends. Both models are also available in 5 foot 8, 6 foot 6, and 8 foot bed lengths, as well as having the same cab size options available. For 2021, these options are a regular cabs, crew cabs, and extended cabs.
The Sienna and Silverado each offer a similar interior, outfit with deep center storage consoles and plenty of available leg room in each section of the cab.
The average price between the two model pickup trucks differs by less than $1,000.
In Conclusion
Once you've discovered what you are considering a pickup truck for, familiarizing yourself with specs of the trucks you're considering is the next logical step. Knowing each truck's curb weight, towing capacity, and payload maximum will help narrow down your new truck prospects, and lets you walk into the truck dealership armed with more information.
Obviously, you should be considering so much more than your truck's weight prior to committing to it's purchase. These additional articles on the GMC Sierra might further assist you:
Can You Flat Tow a GMC Sierra?
How Many Miles Does a GMC Sierra Last?