2021 model year · Fourth generation (T1)

GMC Sierra 1500 payload capacity

Payload, 20211,750–2,250 lb

Maker794–1,021 kg

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 carries 1,750–2,250 lb of payload, depending on cab, bed, engine and drive.

Ratings: GVWR 6,800–7,300 lb.

2021 GMC Trailering Guide (Sierra 1500 section)

Model years: 2020–2021
Configurations: 31
GVWR: 6,800–7,300 lb

01 / Tables

Sierra 1500 payload capacity by model year

Payload is the weight of people and cargo the vehicle may carry, a trailer’s tongue weight included. It is the GVWR less the weight of the vehicle as built, so every option that adds weight lowers it. GAWR is the most each axle may carry. Figures in US units; model years printed the same share one table, and a package that changes a figure gets its own row.

2021 GMC Sierra 1500

Fourth generation (T1): full specs

Payload and weight ratings

MakerUS units

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 payload and weight ratings by configuration
Configuration	Payload^{source 1}lb	GVWR^{source 1}lb
Regular Cab · Long bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,250	6,800
Regular Cab · Long bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,130	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,040	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,020	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,040	6,800
Crew Cab · Short bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,010	7,000
Crew Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,970	7,000
Double Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,060	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,050	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,060	6,800
Crew Cab · Short bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,040	7,000
Crew Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,000	7,000
Regular Cab · Long bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,180	6,800
Regular Cab · Long bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,070	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,970	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,950	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,060	6,900
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,050	7,100
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,000	7,100
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,170	7,100
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WDwith Max Trailering Package	2,150	7,300
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,140	7,100
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD	2,120	not in our data
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WDwith Max Trailering Package	2,120	7,300
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WDwith Max Trailering Package	2,080	7,300
Crew Cab · Short bed6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,000	7,300
Crew Cab · Standard bed6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	1,960	7,300
Double Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 2WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,760	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,750	7,100
Crew Cab · Short bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 2WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,830	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,810	7,200
Crew Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,770	7,200

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500

Fourth generation (T1): full specs

Payload and weight ratings

MakerUS units

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 payload and weight ratings by configuration
Configuration	Payload^{source 2}lb	GVWR^{source 2}lb
Regular Cab · Long bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,240	6,800
Regular Cab · Long bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,120	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,030	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,020	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,030	6,800
Crew Cab · Short bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,010	7,000
Crew Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,950	6,800
Crew Cab · Standard bed4.3L EcoTec3 V6 · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,960	7,000
Double Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,060	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,040	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,060	6,900
Crew Cab · Short bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	2,030	7,000
Crew Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	1,980	6,800
Crew Cab · Standard bed2.7L Turbo I4 · 4WD · 8L90 8-speed automatic	1,990	7,000
Regular Cab · Long bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,180	6,800
Regular Cab · Long bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,060	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,960	6,800
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,950	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,060	6,900
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	2,040	7,100
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 2WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,990	6,900
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only · 4WD · 6L80 6-speed automatic	1,990	7,100
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,170	7,100
Double Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,150	7,300
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,140	7,100
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	2,120	not in our data
Crew Cab · Short bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,120	7,300
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 2WD · 8L90 8-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,070	7,100
Crew Cab · Standard bed5.3L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,080	7,300
Double Cab · Standard bed6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,070	7,300
Crew Cab · Short bed6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	2,000	7,300
Crew Cab · Standard bed6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automaticwith Max Trailering Package	1,950	7,300
Double Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 2WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,750	6,900
Double Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,740	7,100
Crew Cab · Short bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 2WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,830	7,000
Crew Cab · Short bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,810	7,200
Crew Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 2WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,750	7,000
Crew Cab · Standard bed3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel · 4WD · 10L80 10-speed automatic	1,760	7,200

SourcesMakerThe small number by a figure says which document it is from.

Documents last checked Oct 12, 2026. How we read them and what the marks mean: how we source the numbers. A figure doesn’t match its document? Report a wrong number.

02 / Over the years

How the Sierra 1500 payload capacity moved

The lowest and highest payload GMC prints for each model year, newest first, across Fourth generation (T1).

The top figure rose by 10 lb, from 2,240 lb in 2020 to 2,250 lb in 2021.

GMC Sierra 1500 payload capacity by model year
Model years	Lowest	Highest	Configurations	Full specs
2021Fourth generation (T1)	1,750 lb	2,250 lb	31	Fourth generation (T1) specs
2020Fourth generation (T1)	1,740 lb	2,240 lb	37	Fourth generation (T1) specs

03 / Most and least

Which Sierra 1500 leads and trails

Named as exactly as the maker’s table names it: model year, cab, bed, engine, drive and package.

Highest in 2021: 2,250 lb; 2021 Regular Cab Long bed, 4.3L EcoTec3 V6, 2WD, 6L80 6-speed automatic.
Lowest in 2021: 1,750 lb; 2021 Double Cab Standard bed, 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel, 4WD, 10L80 10-speed automatic.
Lowest of any year, 2020: 1,740 lb; 2020 Double Cab Standard bed, 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel, 4WD, 10L80 10-speed automatic.

04 / What changes it

What moves the Sierra 1500 payload capacity

GMC’s own 2021 figures, split by the option that changes them.

By cab

Double Cab1,750–2,060 lb
Crew Cab1,770–2,120 lb
Regular Cab2,070–2,250 lb

By bed

Standard bed1,750–2,060 lb
Short bed1,810–2,120 lb
Long bed2,070–2,250 lb

By engine

3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel1,750–1,830 lb
5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only1,950–2,180 lb
4.3L EcoTec3 V61,970–2,250 lb
2.7L Turbo I42,000–2,060 lb
5.3L EcoTec3 V82,120 lb

By drive

4WD1,750–2,130 lb
2WD1,760–2,250 lb

05 / Compared

Sierra 1500 against other full-size pickups

The newest model year we hold for each, payload capacity by GMC’s and the other makers’ own documents.

full-size pickups compared on payload capacity
Model	Model year	Payload
GMC Sierra 1500	2021	1,750–2,250 lb
Ford F-150	2026	up to 1,405–2,440 lb
Ram 1500	2027	1,140–2,410 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	2024–2025	1,520–2,260 lb
Toyota Tundra	2026	1,485–1,940 lb
Nissan Titan	2024	1,350–1,710 lb

06 / Next

More on the Sierra 1500

Sierra 1500 specsEvery generation, the spec plate and the rig builder.Open the model page Sierra 1500 towing11,800 lb in 2021, with every other year.See towing Sierra 1500 weight4,409–4,888 lb in 2022–2026, with every other year.See weight Sierra 1500 dimensions211.0–241.3 in in 2022–2026, with every other year.See dimensions Towing calculatorPut your trailer and cargo against a rig’s ratings.Check my load GVWR, GCWR & payloadWhat each rating limits, worked through on a real truck.Read the guide

07 / FAQ

Questions people ask

What is the payload capacity of the 2021 Sierra 1500?

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 carries 1,750–2,250 lb of payload, depending on cab, bed, engine and drive. Ratings: GVWR 6,800–7,300 lb.

Which 2021 Sierra 1500 carries the most?

The 2021 Regular Cab Long bed, 4.3L EcoTec3 V6, 2WD, 6L80 6-speed automatic, at 2,250 lb.

Which 2021 Sierra 1500 carries the least?

The 2021 Double Cab Standard bed, 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel, 4WD, 10L80 10-speed automatic, at 1,750 lb.

What changes the Sierra 1500’s payload capacity?

Cab, bed, engine and drive, by GMC’s own figures for 2021. By cab: Double Cab 1,750–2,060 lb; Crew Cab 1,770–2,120 lb; Regular Cab 2,070–2,250 lb. By bed: Standard bed 1,750–2,060 lb; Short bed 1,810–2,120 lb; Long bed 2,070–2,250 lb. By engine: 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo diesel 1,750–1,830 lb; 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L82), base Sierra only 1,950–2,180 lb; 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 1,970–2,250 lb; 2.7L Turbo I4 2,000–2,060 lb.

Has the Sierra 1500’s payload capacity changed over the years?

2021: 1,750–2,250 lb; 2020: 1,740–2,240 lb. The top figure rose by 10 lb, from 2,240 lb in 2020 to 2,250 lb in 2021.

What is the GVWR of the 2021 Sierra 1500?

6,800–7,300 lb by configuration. GVWR is the most the vehicle may weigh with everything aboard; payload is what is left after the vehicle’s own weight.

These are GMC’s published figures for the models it describes, not a weighbridge or a tape measure; your own vehicle’s options change them. Found a figure that doesn’t match the document? Tell us.