Index · GMC · Sierra 1500
2008 GMC Sierra 1500
The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,500 lb, the top of 16 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.0L V8, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT). Most configurations are rated lower: 15 of the 16 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 10,500 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,400 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch. Across 25 manufacturer chart rows for 2008, ratings run conventional 4,800 lb to 10,500 lb; fifth-wheel 7,200 lb to 10,400 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.
The build table for 2008 is not transcribed. This page will not multiply trims, cabs, and engines into trucks the order guide did not list.
| Hitch | Cited maximum | Configuration | Source grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 10,500 lb | 6.0L V8, Not specified in chart, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT). | OEM chart |
| Fifth-wheel | 10,400 lb | 6.0L V8, Not specified in chart, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT). | OEM chart |
Highest rows among 25 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.
Source: GMC, 2008 GMC Trailering Guide, GMC Trailer Weight Ratings, PDF pages 7-8 (two-page spreads): Sierra 1500, Sierra Denali, Sierra 1500 fifth-wheel/gooseneck, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD conventional and fifth-wheel/gooseneck, Canyon. GMC-authored 2008 trailering guide (back cover code "08 GMC TG"); PDF pages are two-page spreads.
Spec sheet
5 of 25 fields cited; 1 estimate. Field index
Cited fields may cover selected trims or only part of a measurement. Read the configuration and source beside each value; a cited field does not mean every version is researched.
Towing
- Conventional maximum
- 10,500 lb. 6.0L V8, Not specified in chart, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT).GMC source
- Gooseneck maximum
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel maximum
- 10,400 lb. 6.0L V8, Not specified in chart, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT).GMC source
- Tongue or pin load
- 1,050 lb tongue at the 10,500 lb conventional maximum. 1,560 lb pin at the 10,400 lb fifth-wheel maximum. Illustration at 10 percent conventional and 15 percent in-bed, not a measured load or recommendation. Follow the trailer and vehicle instructions; actual load may be higher.Estimate
- Weight distribution
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Trailer frontal area
- Not transcribed for this model year.
Weights
- Payload
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- GCWR
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- GVWR
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Front GAWR
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Rear GAWR
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Curb weight
- Not transcribed for this model year.
Body
- Wheelbase
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Bed length
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Bed width and depth
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Cab-to-axle
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Overall length, width, height
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Ground clearance and angles
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel clearance
- Not transcribed for this model year.
Power
- Engine, horsepower, torque
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Transmission
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fuel type and tank
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Drivetrain
- 4WD, 2WD, AWDGMC source
- Axle ratio
- 4.10, 3.73, 3.42, 3.23GMC source
- Tow package
- Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT); Sierra DenaliGMC source
Bed, tongue weight, and wheelbase
The trailer rating is one limit. The bed has to fit the load, the tongue or pin has to fit in payload, and the wheelbase is the column the chart uses.
- An illustrative 10 percent of the 10,500 lb conventional maximum is 1,050 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
- An illustrative 15 percent of the 10,400 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 1,560 lb of pin weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
Bed capacity · Tongue and pin weight · Wheelbase · GCWR, GVWR, and GAWR. Wheelbase is not transcribed for this year. GCWR is not transcribed for this year.
Estimate payload margin and bed volume · How these limits work together
Change from 2006
- Conventional: 10,400 lb in 2006, 10,500 lb in 2008 (+100 lb).
- Fifth-wheel: 10,300 lb in 2006, 10,400 lb in 2008 (+100 lb).
Generation
GMT900
2008 is year 2 of this generation (2007–2013). Second-generation Sierra 1500.
2008 towing by engine
Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 25 transcribed chart rows. A missing hitch means the chart did not print one for that engine, not that it is zero.
| Engine | Conventional | Fifth-wheel | Chart rows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L V8 | 8,500–10,500 lb | 8,500–10,400 lb | 6 |
| 5.3L V8 | 7,200–8,900 lb | 7,200–8,800 lb | 8 |
| 6.2L V8 | 8,400–8,600 lb | — | 2 |
| 4.8L V8 | 5,200–7,900 lb | 7,200–7,800 lb | 6 |
| 4.3L V6 | 4,800–5,300 lb | — | 3 |
Highest-rated configurations
| Trailer | Engine | Cab / bed | Drive | Axle / package | GCWR | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,500 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10 · Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT)note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 4.10 |
| 10,400 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10 · Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT)note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 4.10 |
| 10,200 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73 · Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT)note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 1500 2WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 3.73 |
| 10,100 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73 · Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT)note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 1500 2WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 3.73 |
| 8,900 lb Conventional | 5.3L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10note 3 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 5.3L V8, axle 4.10 |
| 8,800 lb Fifth-wheel | 5.3L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10note 4 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 5.3L V8, axle 4.10 |
| 8,600 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.42 · Sierra Denalinote 3 | — | Page 7, Sierra Denali trailer weight ratings, row DENALI 2WD, Vortec 6.2L V-8, axle 3.42 |
| 8,500 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 3.73note 3 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 3.73 |
| 8,500 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 3.73note 4 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 1500 4WD, column Vortec 6.0L V8, axle 3.73 |
| 8,400 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Not specified in chart | AWD | 3.42 · Sierra Denalinote 3 | — | Page 7, Sierra Denali trailer weight ratings, row DENALI AWD, Vortec 6.2L V-8, axle 3.42 |
| 8,200 lb Conventional | 5.3L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73note 3 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 1500 2WD, column Vortec 5.3L V8, axle 3.73 |
| 8,200 lb Fifth-wheel | 5.3L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73note 4 | — | Page 7, Sierra 1500 Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 1500 2WD, column Vortec 5.3L V8, axle 3.73 |
- Chart footnote 1: When properly equipped, maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum is 5000 lbs. 1500 Series notes: to achieve a trailer weight rating greater than 5000 lbs, models must be equipped with an available optional suspension: Handling/Trailering (Z85), Manual Selectable Ride (ZX3) or Off-Road (Z71). Footnote 2: Requires Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT).
- Chart footnote 1: When properly equipped, maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch; automatic transmission ratings. 1500 Series notes: to pull fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers, models must be equipped with an available optional suspension: Z85, ZX3 or Z71. Footnote 2: Requires Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT).
- Chart footnote 1: When properly equipped, maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum is 5000 lbs. 1500 Series notes: to achieve a trailer weight rating greater than 5000 lbs, models must be equipped with an available optional suspension: Handling/Trailering (Z85), Manual Selectable Ride (ZX3) or Off-Road (Z71).
- Chart footnote 1: When properly equipped, maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch; automatic transmission ratings. 1500 Series notes: to pull fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers, models must be equipped with an available optional suspension: Z85, ZX3 or Z71.
Chart source: GMC, 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.
Find your exact configuration (25 rows) →Download 2008 rows as CSV ↓
What changes the number
- Engine and transmission
- Cab, bed, and wheelbase
- Two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive
- Axle ratio and tow package
- Conventional hitch versus fifth-wheel versus gooseneck
- People, options, and cargo, which spend payload the chart assumed was empty
Questions
- How much can a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
- The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,500 lb, the top of 16 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.0L V8, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT). Most configurations are rated lower: 15 of the 16 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 10,500 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,400 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch.
- Did Sierra 1500 towing change for 2008?
- Compare the cited 2008 figures on this page with the 2006 record. They are stored separately.
- Which configuration hits the maximum?
- The 10,500 lb conventional maximum is printed for the 6.0L V8, 4WD, 4.10 axle, Enhanced Trailering Performance Package (NHT).
- What tongue weight should I plan for a 2008 Sierra 1500?
- At the cited 10,500 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,050 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. At the cited 10,400 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 1,560 lb of pin weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.
Compare with
2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · All Sierra 1500 years