2015 GMC SIERRA 1500 Owners Manual

Black plate (80,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-80 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
2500 Series 4WD Double Cab Long Box
6.0L V8 3.734 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 –Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 –Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 396 kg (14,100 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
2500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 3.734 218 kg (9,300 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 –Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 –Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 260 kg (13,800 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 623 kg (14,600 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.734 400 kg (9,700 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
6 441 kg (14,200 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)

Black plate (81,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-81
VehicleAxle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 441 kg (14,200 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Standard Box 6.0L V8 3.734 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 –Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 396 kg (14,100 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 2WD Double Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels) 3.734 400 kg (9,700 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 441 kg (14,200 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.734 218 kg (9,300 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 4.106 260 kg (13,800 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)

Black plate (82,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-82 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
3500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Long Box
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels) 3.734 309 kg (9,500 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 350 kg (14,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.734 173 kg (9,200 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 4.106 214 kg (13,700 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels) 3.734 445 kg (9,800 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 486 kg (14,300 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 4.106 305 kg (13,900 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)

Black plate (83,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-83
VehicleAxle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
3500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Standard Box
6.0L V8 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 –Conventional Trailer 4.105 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 –Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.106 305 kg (13,900 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 4WD Double Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels) 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 305 kg (13,900 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.734 082 kg (9,000 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 4.106 124 kg (13,500 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Long Box 6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels) 3.734 173 kg (9,200 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Conventional Trailer 4.10
5 897 kg (13,000 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)

Black plate (84,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-84 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10
6 214 kg (13,700 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 3.733 992 kg (8,800 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels) 4.106 033 kg (13,300 lb) 9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
3500 Series Chassis Cab 2WD/4WD 6.0L V8 3.73(d)7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8 4.10(d)9 299 kg (20,500 lb)
(a) The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
(b) This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
(c) For chassis cab and pickup box delete vehicles, choose an appropriate hitch and load the truck and trailer
within the limits of GCWR, GVWR, and RGAWR.
(d) Maximum Trailer Weight cannot be provided because total vehicle weight is unknown.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
very important because it is also
part of the vehicle weight. The
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle as well as trailer tongue
weight. Vehicle options, equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehicle
reduce the amount of tongue weight

Black plate (85,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-85
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle
can tow.
Trailer tongue weight (1) should be
10–15% and fifth-wheel or
gooseneck kingpin weight should be
15–25% of the loaded trailer
weight (2) up to the maximums for
vehicle series and hitch type.Vehicle Series Hitch Type
Maximum Tongue
Weight
1500 Weight-Carrying 363 kg (800 lb)
1500 Weight-Distributing 544 kg (1,200 lb)
2500/3500
Standard Box Weight-Carrying or
Weight-Distributing 680 kg (1,500 lb)
2500/
3500 Long Box Weight-Carrying or
Weight-Distributing 907 kg (2,000 lb)
2500 Fifth-Wheel Gooseneck 1 361 kg (3,000 lb)
3500 Single Rear
Wheels Fifth-Wheel Gooseneck 1 814 kg (4,000 lb)
3500 Dual Rear
Wheels Fifth-Wheel Gooseneck 2 495 kg (5,500 lb)
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle. Trailer rating may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue or kingpin weight
cannot cause the vehicle to exceed
the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating). See
“Total
Weight on the Vehicle's Tires” later
in this section.

Black plate (86,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-86 Driving and Operating
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than
half of the maximum allowable
tongue weight for the vehicle or
227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification/Tire label
on the center pillar or seeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9-15. Make
sure not to exceed the GVWR limit
for the vehicle, or the RGAWR, with
the tow vehicle and trailer fully
loaded for the trip including the
weight of the trailer tongue. If using
a weight-distributing hitch, make
sure not to exceed the RGAWR
before applying the weight
distribution spring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer does
not exceed any of its weight ratings
— GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Trailer
Weight Rating, or Tongue Weight.
The only way to be sure it is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to
weigh the tow vehicle and trailer
combination, fully loaded for the trip,
getting individual weights for each of
these items.

Black plate (87,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-87
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control. Many
trailers can be towed with a
weight-carrying hitch which simply
features a coupler latched to the
hitch ball, or a tow eye latched to a
pintle hook. Other trailers may
require a weight-distributing hitch
that uses spring bars to distribute
the trailer tongue weight among the
two vehicle and trailer axles.
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches
may also be used. See“Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” underTrailer
Towing on page 9-72 for rating limits
with various hitch types. If a step-bumper hitch will be used,
the bumper could be damaged in
sharp turns. Make sure there
is ample room when turning to avoid
contact between the trailer and the
bumper.
Consider using sway controls with
any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment
A weight distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers. Use the
following guidelines to determine if a
weight distributing hitch should
be used.