How much can I tow

[NeilAlberta]

I’m looking for guidance on whether I can tow a 5800 lb travel trailer with my 2021 Sierra Elevation 1500 diesel, 3.24 Axle ratio. It’s difficult to obtain a clear answer on this anywhere. Thanks you in advance for sharing your experience.

[dieselfan1]

Your should be good.

How much does it weigh when loaded ready to camp ?https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/03/2021-gmc-sierra-towing-capacities-compared-by-engine/

[NeilAlberta]

Probably 6800 lbs for trailer and 1400 payload . In lookIng at the link attached, I don’t think I have the maximum trailer package so I’m wondering if the same towing capacity of 9200 lbs is advisable. I have the tow mode , intergrated brakes and rear camera view . I don’t know I have the right axle ratio , heavier shocks and extra cooler that comes with the max trailer option which wasn’t available .

[newdude]

2 hours ago, NeilAlberta said:

I’m looking for guidance on whether I can tow a 5800 lb travel trailer with my 2021 Sierra Elevation 1500 diesel, 3.24 Axle ratio. It’s difficult to obtain a clear answer on this anywhere. Thanks you in advance for sharing your experience.

 

 

All the information you need is directly in your driver's door jamb.  GM put these really neat and detailed towing information labels right on every truck produced.  

[newdude]

16 minutes ago, NeilAlberta said:

Probably 6800 lbs for trailer and 1400 payload . In lookIng at the link attached, I don’t think I have the maximum trailer package so I’m wondering if the same towing capacity of 9200 lbs is advisable. I have the tow mode , intergrated brakes and rear camera view . I don’t know I have the right axle ratio , heavier shocks and extra cooler that comes with the max trailer option which wasn’t available .

 

 

Max trailer just came out on the diesel for 2022.5 trucks.  2020-2022 don't have max trailer on the diesel.  

[It's Tim]

2 hours ago, NeilAlberta said:

 It’s difficult to obtain a clear answer on this anywhere. 

 

 

[f8l vnm]

The sticker GM started putting on the T1's make things so much easier. I noticed Ford and Ram are doing something similar but again the sticker on the door , cant be any easier.  

[redwngr]

3 hours ago, NeilAlberta said:

Probably 6800 lbs for trailer and 1400 payload . In lookIng at the link attached, I don’t think I have the maximum trailer package so I’m wondering if the same towing capacity of 9200 lbs is advisable. I have the tow mode , intergrated brakes and rear camera view . I don’t know I have the right axle ratio , heavier shocks and extra cooler that comes with the max trailer option which wasn’t available .

Post up a picture of the trailer label on the door post of the truck and you'll get interpretation help.

 

For comparision, mine is a denali 4wd with 6.5ft box and the 3.0L diesel. 

It will weigh different than your elevation diesel, so the payload and curb weight will be different.

 

It is 7200 gvwr, 5834 curb weight and 1366 payload.

(yes, gvwr - curb weight = payload)

 

It's conventional trailer weight rating (TWR) is 8800 lbs.

 

2wd/4wd, double/crew and short/standard box will change how much the elevation diesel is rated to tow.

 

All 2021 LM2 elevations have 3.32 axle ratio.

 

[NeilAlberta]

Thanks. I think I figured out how to interpret all the numbers now in the door label. I’ll post it tomorrow when I get it back from the shop. Thanks for your help

[Jrodpic]

My guess is your truck has a max combined rating of 15,000lbs (truck and trailer)

 

When you look at your sticker it will probably say max trailer weight is around 9,200-9,500lbs but keep in mind that is if your truck is empty.

 

So if you subtract the 7,000lbs your truck weighs fully loaded you have 8,000lbs left for your trailer. Of course that would be “maxed out”. Most people advise against that. Some people will also tell you they are conservative with the numbers so you are fine. Depends on how comfortable you feel with it. 
 
If your trailer is 6,800lbs fully loaded and you fully loaded your truck then you would be at 13,800 pounds. That would be around 90% of the combined weight rating. So you would be under but not by much. Had a 5.3 Trail Boss and towed a 4500 pound dry weight trailer. Was probably between 12,000-13,000 when we towed. Never had any issues. 
 

[voided3]

The payload rating will be more of the concern with a travel trailer as they tend to lean closer to 15% tongue weight rather than the usual 10%. We tow a smaller 4000 lbs. GVWR camper and with the weight of propane, the power tongue jack, the deep cycle battery, and our hitching equipment on the front of the trailer, our tongue weight is right around 600 lbs.

 

If your trailer loaded is around 6800 lbs., that means you could potentially have up to 1020 lbs. of tongue weight, meaning you would be left with 380 lbs. of payload in the truck for passengers and cargo, if you have 1400 lbs. of payload. If your trailer has a more conservative 12% tongue weight, though (as an example), you would be at 816 lbs. of tongue weight and you get back almost 200 lbs. of payload in the truck.

 

If possible, I would hitch it up loaded and go to a weigh station to see what your axle weights are. That could also influence how you adjust your weight distribution hitch and where you place cargo both in the truck and trailer. If you usually travel with water on board, don't forget to fill that up, too, as water is 8 lbs. per gallon and adds up quick.