Index · GMC · Sierra 3500HD
2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD
The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 16,500 lb, the top of 4 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), 4WD, 3.73 axle. Most configurations are rated lower: 3 of the 4 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 16,500 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 13,000 lb on a conventional hitch. Across 10 manufacturer chart rows for 2008, ratings run conventional 9,900 lb to 13,000 lb; fifth-wheel 12,400 lb to 16,500 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 | 13,000 lb | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Not specified in chart, 2WD, 3.73 axle. | OEM chart |
| Fifth-wheel | 16,500 lb | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Not specified in chart, 4WD, 3.73 axle. | OEM chart |
Highest rows among 10 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
4 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
- 13,000 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Not specified in chart, 2WD, 3.73 axle.GMC source
- Gooseneck maximum
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel maximum
- 16,500 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Not specified in chart, 4WD, 3.73 axle.GMC source
- Tongue or pin load
- 1,300 lb tongue at the 13,000 lb conventional maximum. 2,475 lb pin at the 16,500 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, 2WDGMC source
- Axle ratio
- 3.73, 4.10GMC source
- Tow package
- Not transcribed for this model year.
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 13,000 lb conventional maximum is 1,300 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
- An illustrative 15 percent of the 16,500 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 2,475 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: 12,000 lb in 2006, 13,000 lb in 2008 (+1,000 lb).
- Fifth-wheel: 16,700 lb in 2006, 16,500 lb in 2008 (-200 lb).
Generation
GMT900 HD
2008 is year 1 of this generation (2008–2014). Redesigned Sierra 3500HD for 2008.
2008 towing by engine
Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | 13,000 lb | 16,300–16,500 lb | 4 |
| 6.0L V8 | 9,900–12,600 lb | 12,400–12,600 lb | 6 |
Highest-rated configurations
| Trailer | Engine | Cab / bed | Drive | Axle / package | GCWR | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,500 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 3.73note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 3500HD 4WD, Duramax Turbo Diesel V-8, axle 3.73 |
| 16,300 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 3500HD 2WD, Duramax Turbo Diesel V-8, axle 3.73 |
| 13,000 lb Conventional | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 2WD, Duramax Turbo Diesel V-8, axle 3.73 |
| 13,000 lb Conventional | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 3.73note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 4WD, Duramax Turbo Diesel V-8, axle 3.73 |
| 12,600 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 4.10note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 2WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, axle 4.10 |
| 12,600 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 4.10note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 3500HD 2WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, axle 4.10 |
| 12,400 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 4WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, axle 4.10 |
| 12,400 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 4.10note 1 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, row 3500HD 4WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, axle 4.10 |
| 10,100 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 2WD | 3.73note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 2WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, axle 3.73 |
| 9,900 lb Conventional | 6.0L V8 | Not specified in chart | 4WD | 3.73note 2 | — | Page 7, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD Series trailer weight ratings (weight-distributing hitch), row 3500HD 4WD, Vortec 6.0L V-8, 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 fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. Chart does not distinguish single- vs dual-rear-wheel models.
- 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 7500 lbs. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an Engine Oil Cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air Transmission Oil Cooler (KNP).
Chart source: GMC, 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.
Find your exact configuration (10 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 3500HD tow?
- The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 16,500 lb, the top of 4 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2008 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), 4WD, 3.73 axle. Most configurations are rated lower: 3 of the 4 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 16,500 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 13,000 lb on a conventional hitch.
- Did Sierra 3500HD 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 16,500 lb fifth-wheel maximum is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), 4WD, 3.73 axle.
- What tongue weight should I plan for a 2008 Sierra 3500HD?
- At the cited 13,000 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,300 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 16,500 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 2,475 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 3500HD years