Index · GMC · Sierra 1500
2012 GMC Sierra 1500
The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,700 lb, the top of 49 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2012 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package. Most configurations are rated lower: 48 of the 49 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2012 are below 10,700 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,600 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch. Across 61 manufacturer chart rows for 2012, ratings run conventional 4,700 lb to 10,700 lb; fifth-wheel 8,100 lb to 10,600 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.
conventional6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package.10,700 lb
fifth-wheel6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package.10,600 lb
The build table for 2012 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 | 10,700 lb | 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package. | OEM chart |
| Fifth-wheel | 10,600 lb | 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package. | OEM chart |
Highest rows among 61 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.
Source: GMC, 2012 GMC Trailering Guide, Sierra trailer weight ratings: Sierra 1500 ball hitch (p.13), Sierra 1500 gooseneck/fifth-wheel (p.14), Sierra HD ball hitch and gooseneck/fifth-wheel (pp.15-16), Canyon (p.19). GMC-authored 2012 trailering guide (20 pages);
Spec sheet
6 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
- 10,700 lb. 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package.GMC source
- Gooseneck maximum
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel maximum
- 10,600 lb. 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package.GMC source
- Tongue or pin load
- 1,070 lb tongue at the 10,700 lb conventional maximum. 1,590 lb pin at the 10,600 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
- Standard Box, Short Box, Long BoxGMC source
- 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
- 2WD, 4WD, AWDGMC source
- Axle ratio
- 3.73, 3.42, 3.08, 3.23GMC source
- Tow package
- Max Trailering Package; Denali; XFEGMC 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 10,700 lb conventional maximum is 1,070 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
- An illustrative 15 percent of the 10,600 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 1,590 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 2011
- Conventional: 10,700 lb in 2011, 10,700 lb in 2012 (unchanged maximum, different source or equipment list).
- Fifth-wheel is cited for 2012 and was not cited for 2011.
Generation
GMT900
2012 is year 6 of this generation (2007–2013). Second-generation Sierra 1500.
2012 towing by engine
Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 61 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L V8 | 9,400–10,700 lb | 9,100–10,600 lb | 14 |
| 5.3L V8 FlexFuel | 6,500–10,000 lb | 8,100–9,700 lb | 28 |
| 4.8L V8 FlexFuel | 4,700–7,200 lb | — | 11 |
| 6.0L V8 Hybrid | 5,900–6,100 lb | — | 2 |
| 4.3L V6 | 4,700–5,400 lb | — | 6 |
Highest-rated configurations
| Trailer | Engine | Cab / bed | Drive | Axle / package | GCWR | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,700 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 1 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 10,600 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Crew Cab, Short Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 2 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'crew CAB Short BOX 2wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 10,600 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.2L V8 | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 3 | — | Page 14, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 10,400 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 4 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 4wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 10,400 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Crew Cab, Short Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 5 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'crew CAB Short BOX 4wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 10,300 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.2L V8 | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Max Trailering Packagenote 6 | — | Page 14, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 4wd with max trailering package', column 6.2L V8 (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 10,000 lb Conventional | 5.3L V8 FlexFuel | Regular Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.42note 7 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'REG CAB long BOX 2WD', column 5.3L V8 FlexFuel (conventional), axle 3.42 |
| 9,800 lb Conventional | 5.3L V8 FlexFuel | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.42note 8 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'REG CAB long BOX 4WD', column 5.3L V8 FlexFuel (conventional), axle 3.42 |
| 9,700 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 2WD | 3.42note 9 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2WD', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.42 |
| 9,700 lb Conventional | 5.3L V8 FlexFuel | Extended Cab, Standard Box | 2WD | 3.42note 9 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2WD', column 5.3L V8 FlexFuel (conventional), axle 3.42 |
| 9,700 lb Conventional | 6.2L V8 | Crew Cab, Short Box | 2WD | 3.42note 10 | — | Page 13, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row 'crew CAB short BOX 2WD', column 6.2L V8 (conventional), axle 3.42 |
| 9,700 lb Fifth-wheel | 5.3L V8 FlexFuel | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.42note 11 | — | Page 14, Sierra 1500 automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row 'REG CAB long BOX 4WD', column 5.3L V8 FlexFuel (fifth-wheel), axle 3.42 |
- Chart row label: 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'crew CAB Short BOX 2wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 4wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'crew CAB Short BOX 4wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 4wd with max trailering package'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: 'REG CAB long BOX 2WD'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'REG CAB long BOX 4WD'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'ext. CAB STANDARD BOX 2WD'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'crew CAB short BOX 2WD'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with a weight-distributing hitch; weight-carrying hitch maximum 5000 lbs.
- Chart row label: 'REG CAB long BOX 4WD'. Guide footnote 1: Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
Chart source: GMC, 2012 GMC Trailering Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.
Find your exact configuration (61 rows) →Download 2012 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 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 tow?
- The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,700 lb, the top of 49 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2012 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package. Most configurations are rated lower: 48 of the 49 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2012 are below 10,700 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 is 10,600 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch.
- Did Sierra 1500 towing change for 2012?
- Compare the cited 2012 figures on this page with the 2011 record. They are stored separately.
- Which configuration hits the maximum?
- The 10,700 lb conventional maximum is printed for the 6.2L V8, Extended Cab, Standard Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, Max Trailering Package.
- What tongue weight should I plan for a 2012 Sierra 1500?
- At the cited 10,700 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,070 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 10,600 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 1,590 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
2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · All Sierra 1500 years