Index · GMC · Sierra 3500HD
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD
The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 23,300 lb, the top of 38 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2018 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW. Most configurations are rated lower: 37 of the 38 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2018 are below 23,300 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 20,000 lb on a conventional hitch. Across 76 manufacturer chart rows for 2018, ratings run conventional 13,000 lb to 20,000 lb; fifth-wheel 13,300 lb to 23,300 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.
The build table for 2018 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 | 20,000 lb | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Double Cab, Long Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, DRW. | OEM chart |
| Fifth-wheel | 23,300 lb | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW. | OEM chart |
Highest rows among 76 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.
Source: GMC, 2018 GMC Trailering Guide, Sierra 1500 ball hitch p17, fifth-wheel/gooseneck p18; Sierra 2500HD p19; 3500HD 2WD p20, 4WD p21; Canyon p22.
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
- 20,000 lb. Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Double Cab, Long Box bed, 2WD, 3.73 axle, DRW.GMC source
- Gooseneck maximum
- Not transcribed for this model year.
- Fifth-wheel maximum
- 23,300 lb. Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW.GMC source
- Tongue or pin load
- 2,000 lb tongue at the 20,000 lb conventional maximum. 3,495 lb pin at the 23,300 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
- DRW; Denali; DRW; SRW; Denali; SRWGMC 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 20,000 lb conventional maximum is 2,000 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
- An illustrative 15 percent of the 23,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 3,495 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 2017
- Conventional: 20,000 lb in 2017, 20,000 lb in 2018 (unchanged maximum, different source or equipment list).
- Fifth-wheel: 23,300 lb in 2017, 23,300 lb in 2018 (unchanged maximum, different source or equipment list).
Generation
K2XX HD
2018 is year 4 of this generation (2015–2019). 2015 heavy-duty Sierra 3500.
2018 towing by engine
Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 76 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | 13,000–20,000 lb | 17,000–23,300 lb | 36 |
| Vortec 6.0L V8 | 13,000–14,500 lb | 13,300–14,600 lb | 40 |
Highest-rated configurations
| Trailer | Engine | Cab / bed | Drive | Axle / package | GCWR | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,300 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · DRWnote 1 | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500HD SERIES REGULAR CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 23,200 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Double Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · DRWnote 1 | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500HD SERIES DOUBLE CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 23,100 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · DRWnote 1 | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500HD SERIES CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 23,100 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Denali; DRWnote 1 | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500 DENALI HD CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 22,900 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Double Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · DRWnote 1 | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500HD SERIES DOUBLE CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 22,700 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · DRWnote 1 | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500HD SERIES CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 22,700 lb Fifth-wheel | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · Denali; DRWnote 1 | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer, row '3500 DENALI HD CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 20,000 lb Conventional | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Double Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · DRW | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD SERIES DOUBLE CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 20,000 lb Conventional | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · DRW | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD SERIES CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 20,000 lb Conventional | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Crew Cab, Long Box | 2WD | 3.73 · Denali; DRW | — | Page 20, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row '3500 DENALI HD CREW CAB LONG BOX DRW 2WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 20,000 lb Conventional | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Regular Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · DRW | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD SERIES REGULAR CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
| 20,000 lb Conventional | Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel | Double Cab, Long Box | 4WD | 3.73 · DRW | — | Page 21, 2018 Sierra HD automatic transmission ratings with ball hitch, row '3500HD SERIES DOUBLE CAB LONG BOX DRW 4WD', Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel column, axle 3.73 |
- Chart column: max gooseneck/5th-wheel trailer weight (single rating covering both hitch types).
Chart source: GMC, 2018 GMC Trailering Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.
Find your exact configuration (76 rows) →Download 2018 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 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD tow?
- The highest fifth-wheel-hitch rating for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 23,300 lb, the top of 38 rows transcribed from GMC’s 2018 GMC Trailering Guide. That row is printed for the Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW. Most configurations are rated lower: 37 of the 38 transcribed fifth-wheel-hitch chart rows for 2018 are below 23,300 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD is 20,000 lb on a conventional hitch.
- Did Sierra 3500HD towing change for 2018?
- Compare the cited 2018 figures on this page with the 2017 record. They are stored separately.
- Which configuration hits the maximum?
- The 23,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum is printed for the Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel, Regular Cab, Long Box bed, 4WD, 3.73 axle, DRW.
- What tongue weight should I plan for a 2018 Sierra 3500HD?
- At the cited 20,000 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 2,000 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 23,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 3,495 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
2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · All Sierra 3500HD years