2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity?

Hexa Fox · October 29, 2020

Greetings again gentlemen,

I thought I asked this before but I cannot find anything other than where I asked about recommendations for a after market transmission cooler. By the way I am still seriously considering going after the Mishimoto route and having the bigger cooler and bypass included. I am also still considering just going the cheap route and bypassing the thermostat. It is not a decision I have to make immediately, have not been towing much with the truck. Anyway that is not the major reason I am here today either.

I wanted to know how I can find out exactly how much my truck is rated to tow. I have heard so many things from dealers and other 'opinions' 5,000lbs 7,500lbs, 10,000lbs 12,500lbs etc. I know that many factors make a difference, as in whether or not the trailer has assisted braking on it. As in I know the rating is on the lower side when you are talking about stopping the weight with the truck alone.

So a friend of mine that I trust is offering me towing work with my truck. It is mostly a transport business where he helps people move, deliver firewood and basically anything he can do with the trailers. It is a good deal, he said he would take a small portion (about 10%) of the gross profit to put toward the trailer and wear and tear on it. As in he has more work than he can do with these trailers right now. So this is a opportunity for me to make good money over the Winter months while my landscaping business has slowed down. Now I have seen these trailers before, most of them are pretty big dump trailers. I have already talked to him about it and he said they all haul less then you would think. For instance, he said that the largest dump trailer was only rated for like 12,000lbs all together and that includes what is already on the axle from the dump trailer. As in you can only put like 8,000-9,000 more pounds in it before reaching the limit. Maybe they were not large but the sure did seem like it.

Anyway he assured me that they mostly never get close to the limit. He said the only time he knows they do is when there are two cords of firewood on the larger dump trailers. He said if that is a concern, many people only order single cords and I could deliver those instead. So can someone help me figure out what my truck is rated to tow? Also even if my little 1,500 is rated to pull this much weight, should I consider pulling some of these larger loads and on a regular basis on top of that? He said there is always more work than he can handle, so if I start working on this on the regular, I might consider a loan on a certified pre-owned or used 2,500 or something. So let me guys know what you think, you guys are usually good for that, so shoot away!

2017 GMC Sierra 4x4, Regular Cab, Long Bed, 5.3l V8, 3.42 Rear End

Edited October 29, 2020 by Hexa Fox
Left Out Specifications

BigT2014 · October 29, 2020

What engine, body type, rear diff ratio and 2wd or 4wd?

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LDM · October 29, 2020

You didn't post any information on your truck so it is impossible to say what it can tow. If it is a 14-19 truck, it could be anywhere from as low as 5800 to as high as 12,000 pounds. You need to provide a lot more information about your truck.

Hexa Fox · October 29, 2020

17 minutes ago, BigT2014 said:

What engine, body type, rear diff ratio and 2wd or 4wd?

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14 minutes ago, LDM said:

You didn't post any information on your truck so it is impossible to say what it can tow. If it is a 14-19 truck, it could be anywhere from as low as 5800 to as high as 12,000 pounds. You need to provide a lot more information about your truck.

Sorry about that guys, it slipped my mind. I didn't think I had the 3.42 rear end. However, on my RPO codes it clearly says "GU6" which comes back to the 3.42 rear end. Also I think this truck like most full sized 1500's have the 6L80E transmission right? Either way I edited my initial post to include all information.

Salsa De Piña · October 29, 2020

Sorry it's for the Chevys, but what can you do...

9,500 lbs.

Page 9:

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/articles/truck-life/trailering-and-towing-guide/02-pdfs/2017-chevrolet-trailering-and-towing-guide.pdf

Edited October 29, 2020 by Salsa De Piña

Hexa Fox · October 29, 2020

10 minutes ago, Salsa De Piña said:

Sorry it's for the Chevys, but what can you do...

Page 9:

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/articles/truck-life/trailering-and-towing-guide/02-pdfs/2017-chevrolet-trailering-and-towing-guide.pdf

Yeah I came across this once before and it is complicated for me. I don't understand all the ratings, deductions etc. It says that my truck is rated for 12,500lbs, but only with the Max Towing package, which am pretty certain I do not have. So looking at the chart with more data on it, it looks like my truck with the 3.42 rear end and 4x4 is rated to pull a maximum of 9,500lbs? Now is that the final amount? I do not have to add the weight of the truck or deduct anything else? So having all things considered I should be able to pull a max of 9,500lbs with my truck?

I also did not notice you already answered the question for me as well.

Edited October 29, 2020 by Hexa Fox

Salsa De Piña · October 29, 2020

My bad. I edited my comment with the actual number, possibly while you were responding.

Anyway... Yeah, 9500 is the final amount, but you also have to keep it under 15,000 lbs GCWR. That's where the weight of your truck and contents comes in. You shouldn't be towing 9,500 lbs with a bed full of firewood. Best bet is to hit up a scale and see what your truck weighs as you would be towing with it.

Also, I hear you have some hills in West Virginia (at least more than what I have to deal with.) I wouldn't be pushing to the limits if that's the case.

Hexa Fox · October 29, 2020

12 minutes ago, Salsa De Piña said:

My bad. I edited my comment with the actual number, possibly while you were responding.

Anyway... Yeah, 9500 is the final amount, but you also have to keep it under 15,000 lbs GCWR. That's where the weight of your truck and contents comes in. You shouldn't be towing 9,500 lbs with a bed full of firewood. Best bet is to hit up a scale and see what your truck weighs as you would be towing with it.

Also, I hear you have some hills in West Virginia (at least more than what I have to deal with.) I wouldn't be pushing to the limits if that's the case.

Yeah I also need to check the warranty on this truck. I know it was extended from being a CPO dealer sold truck. So what I am scared of is pushing this truck to the max on a regular basis and something bad happening. However, I guess now is the time to do it ever since I know it is still under warranty. This is a opportunity to make good money and would probably be a no brainer if I had a 2500. However, is it just me or do the ratings for the 2500 trucks on that chart seem low? If I ever bought a truck for primarily pulling a trailer I think I would look for a decent looking used diesel.

I need to be careful because this truck is basically my entire workforce right now.

newdude · October 29, 2020

1 hour ago, Hexa Fox said:

Greetings again gentlemen,

I thought I asked this before but I cannot find anything other than where I asked about recommendations for a after market transmission cooler. By the way I am still seriously considering going after the Mishimoto route and having the bigger cooler and bypass included. I am also still considering just going the cheap route and bypassing the thermostat. It is not a decision I have to make immediately, have not been towing much with the truck. Anyway that is not the major reason I am here today either.

I wanted to know how I can find out exactly how much my truck is rated to tow. I have heard so many things from dealers and other 'opinions' 5,000lbs 7,500lbs, 10,000lbs 12,500lbs etc. I know that many factors make a difference, as in whether or not the trailer has assisted braking on it. As in I know the rating is on the lower side when you are talking about stopping the weight with the truck alone.

So a friend of mine that I trust is offering me towing work with my truck. It is mostly a transport business where he helps people move, deliver firewood and basically anything he can do with the trailers. It is a good deal, he said he would take a small portion (about 10%) of the gross profit to put toward the trailer and wear and tear on it. As in he has more work than he can do with these trailers right now. So this is a opportunity for me to make good money over the Winter months while my landscaping business has slowed down. Now I have seen these trailers before, most of them are pretty big dump trailers. I have already talked to him about it and he said they all haul less then you would think. For instance, he said that the largest dump trailer was only rated for like 12,000lbs all together and that includes what is already on the axle from the dump trailer. As in you can only put like 8,000-9,000 more pounds in it before reaching the limit. Maybe they were not large but the sure did seem like it.

Anyway he assured me that they mostly never get close to the limit. He said the only time he knows they do is when there are two cords of firewood on the larger dump trailers. He said if that is a concern, many people only order single cords and I could deliver those instead. So can someone help me figure out what my truck is rated to tow? Also even if my little 1,500 is rated to pull this much weight, should I consider pulling some of these larger loads and on a regular basis on top of that? He said there is always more work than he can handle, so if I start working on this on the regular, I might consider a loan on a certified pre-owned or used 2,500 or something. So let me guys know what you think, you guys are usually good for that, so shoot away!

2017 GMC Sierra 4x4, Regular Cab, Long Bed, 5.3l V8, 3.42 Rear End

9,500lbs is the maximum tow rating for your truck as configured.

TXGREEK · October 29, 2020

Greetings again gentlemen,

I thought I asked this before but I cannot find anything other than where I asked about recommendations for a after market transmission cooler. By the way I am still seriously considering going after the Mishimoto route and having the bigger cooler and bypass included. I am also still considering just going the cheap route and bypassing the thermostat. It is not a decision I have to make immediately, have not been towing much with the truck. Anyway that is not the major reason I am here today either.

I wanted to know how I can find out exactly how much my truck is rated to tow. I have heard so many things from dealers and other 'opinions' 5,000lbs 7,500lbs, 10,000lbs 12,500lbs etc. I know that many factors make a difference, as in whether or not the trailer has assisted braking on it. As in I know the rating is on the lower side when you are talking about stopping the weight with the truck alone.

So a friend of mine that I trust is offering me towing work with my truck. It is mostly a transport business where he helps people move, deliver firewood and basically anything he can do with the trailers. It is a good deal, he said he would take a small portion (about 10%) of the gross profit to put toward the trailer and wear and tear on it. As in he has more work than he can do with these trailers right now. So this is a opportunity for me to make good money over the Winter months while my landscaping business has slowed down. Now I have seen these trailers before, most of them are pretty big dump trailers. I have already talked to him about it and he said they all haul less then you would think. For instance, he said that the largest dump trailer was only rated for like 12,000lbs all together and that includes what is already on the axle from the dump trailer. As in you can only put like 8,000-9,000 more pounds in it before reaching the limit. Maybe they were not large but the sure did seem like it.

Anyway he assured me that they mostly never get close to the limit. He said the only time he knows they do is when there are two cords of firewood on the larger dump trailers. He said if that is a concern, many people only order single cords and I could deliver those instead. So can someone help me figure out what my truck is rated to tow? Also even if my little 1,500 is rated to pull this much weight, should I consider pulling some of these larger loads and on a regular basis on top of that? He said there is always more work than he can handle, so if I start working on this on the regular, I might consider a loan on a certified pre-owned or used 2,500 or something. So let me guys know what you think, you guys are usually good for that, so shoot away!

2017 GMC Sierra 4x4, Regular Cab, Long Bed, 5.3l V8, 3.42 Rear End

NO! It’s not capable to handle that much weight safely. Diesel yes because much bigger brakes, exhaust braking, much stiffer and more capable suspension that will help tremendously when it come to towing 8k plus. I’ve tried, very dangerous especially in wet days and down and up hill

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LDM · October 30, 2020

5 hours ago, Hexa Fox said:

Yeah I also need to check the warranty on this truck. I know it was extended from being a CPO dealer sold truck. So what I am scared of is pushing this truck to the max on a regular basis and something bad happening. However, I guess now is the time to do it ever since I know it is still under warranty. This is a opportunity to make good money and would probably be a no brainer if I had a 2500. However, is it just me or do the ratings for the 2500 trucks on that chart seem low? If I ever bought a truck for primarily pulling a trailer I think I would look for a decent looking used diesel.

I need to be careful because this truck is basically my entire workforce right now.

9500 is the max weight but you also have to make sure to keep the entire truck and trailer under 15,000. Also, these are maximum legal weights, its probably not a good idea to be towing 9500 every day. You will put a lot of wear and tear on the truck, as well as having to deal with all that weight behind a 1500 truck. If you were planning on hauling like that on a daily basis, a 2500 or 3500 would be a much better choice. Not only is the suspension and braking more capable of handling the loads, you will also have more capacity without reaching the limits of the truck.

Hexa Fox · October 30, 2020

28 minutes ago, LDM said:

9500 is the max weight but you also have to make sure to keep the entire truck and trailer under 15,000. Also, these are maximum legal weights, its probably not a good idea to be towing 9500 every day. You will put a lot of wear and tear on the truck, as well as having to deal with all that weight behind a 1500 truck. If you were planning on hauling like that on a daily basis, a 2500 or 3500 would be a much better choice. Not only is the suspension and braking more capable of handling the loads, you will also have more capacity without reaching the limits of the truck.

Yeah I figured I would determine what my maximum towing was and do my absolute best to stay about a ton or so under the rating. This is something I am trying out with this guy and do not want to purchase a truck without knowing if this is something that is truly profitable or will last.