Index · GMC · Sierra 3500HD
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD
The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 23,000 lb, the top of 48 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2012 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW). Most configurations are rated lower: 47 of the 48 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2012 are below 23,000 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 18,000 lb on a conventional hitch. Across 96 manufacturer chart rows for 2012, ratings run conventional 8,500 lb to 18,000 lb; fifth-wheel 8,500 lb to 23,000 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.
conventional6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW).18,000 lb
fifth-wheel6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW).23,000 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 | 18,000 lb | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW). | OEM chart |
| Fifth-wheel | 23,000 lb | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW). | OEM chart |
Highest rows among 96 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
- 18,000 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Extended Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW).GMC source
- Gooseneck maximum
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel maximum
- 23,000 lb. 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW).GMC source
- Tongue or pin load
- 1,800 lb tongue at the 18,000 lb conventional maximum. 3,450 lb pin at the 23,000 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
- Long Box, Standard 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
- 4WD, 2WDGMC source
- Axle ratio
- 3.73, 4.10GMC source
- Tow package
- Dual rear wheels (DRW); Denali; Dual rear wheels (DRW); Single rear wheels (SRW); Denali; Single rear wheels (SRW)GMC 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 18,000 lb conventional maximum is 1,800 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
- An illustrative 15 percent of the 23,000 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 3,450 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 2010
- Conventional: 13,000 lb in 2010, 18,000 lb in 2012 (+5,000 lb).
- Fifth-wheel: 16,500 lb in 2010, 23,000 lb in 2012 (+6,500 lb).
Generation
GMT900 HD
2012 is year 5 of this generation (2008–2014). Redesigned Sierra 3500HD for 2008.
2012 towing by engine
Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 96 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) | 13,000–18,000 lb | 16,800–23,000 lb | 30 |
| 6.0L V8 | 8,500–14,100 lb | 8,500–14,500 lb | 66 |
Highest-rated configurations
| Trailer | Engine | Cab / bed | Drive | Axle / package | GCWR | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,000 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 1 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series regular cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,800 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Extended Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 2 | — | Page 15, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 2wd 3', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,800 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 3 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 2wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,600 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Denali; Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 4 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 2wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,600 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Extended Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 5 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,400 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 6 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 22,300 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Denali; Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 7 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 18,000 lb Conventional | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Extended Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 8 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 18,000 lb Conventional | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 9 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 18,000 lb Conventional | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Denali; Dual rear wheels (DRW)note 10 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (conventional), axle 3.73 |
| 17,400 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Single rear wheels (SRW)note 11 | — | Page 16, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series regular cab long box srw 4wd 2', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
| 17,300 lb Fifth-wheel | 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) | Extended Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Single rear wheels (SRW)note 12 | — | Page 15, Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings (ball hitch / gooseneck-fifth-wheel), row '3500hd series extended cab long box srw 2wd 3', column 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax) (fifth-wheel), axle 3.73 |
- Chart row label: '3500hd series regular cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 2wd 3'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 2wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 2wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series extended cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Ball hitch footnote 1: Trailer rating limited to 13,000 lbs with weight-carrying or weight-distributing hitch (conventional).
- Chart row label: '3500hd series crew cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Ball hitch footnote 1: Trailer rating limited to 13,000 lbs with weight-carrying or weight-distributing hitch (conventional).
- Chart row label: '3500 denali hd crew cab long box drw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Ball hitch footnote 1: Trailer rating limited to 13,000 lbs with weight-carrying or weight-distributing hitch (conventional).
- Chart row label: '3500hd series regular cab long box srw 4wd 2'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). Chart is for use with fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches.
- Chart row label: '3500hd series extended cab long box srw 2wd 3'. All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler (KC4) and an oil-to-air transmission oil cooler (KNP). 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 (96 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 3500HD tow?
- The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 23,000 lb, the top of 48 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2012 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW). Most configurations are rated lower: 47 of the 48 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2012 are below 23,000 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 18,000 lb on a conventional hitch.
- Did Sierra 3500HD towing change for 2012?
- Compare the cited 2012 figures on this page with the 2010 record. They are stored separately.
- Which configuration hits the maximum?
- The 23,000 lb fifth-wheel maximum is printed for the 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel (Duramax), Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, Dual rear wheels (DRW).
- What tongue weight should I plan for a 2012 Sierra 3500HD?
- At the cited 18,000 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,800 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 23,000 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 3,450 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 3500HD years