GMC has released the maximum towing and payload figures for the redesigned 2027 Sierra 1500, and on paper the best tower is now the middle engine. The new 5.7L V8 is rated at up to 13,500 lb, 2,300 lb more than the 2026 5.3L and level with the 2027 Ford F-150. The range-topping engine goes the other way.
The 6.6L V8 problem
The new 6.6L V8 makes 481 hp and 501 lb-ft. It is rated to tow 9,400 lb, 3,700 lb less than the 2026 6.2L, and its maximum payload falls by 420 lb to 1,450 lb. The reason is in the order guide: the Max Trailering Package is not offered with the 6.6L on either brand. Anyone who bought the big V8 to tow should look hard at the 5.7L instead.
| Engine | 2026 max tow | 2027 max tow | 2027 max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L I4 | 9,400 lb | 9,400 lb | 2,310 lb |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel | 13,300 lb | 12,100 lb | 1,850 lb |
| 5.3L V8 (2026) / 5.7L V8 (2027) | 11,200 lb | 13,500 lb | 2,140 lb |
| 6.2L V8 (2026) / 6.6L V8 (2027) | 13,100 lb | 9,400 lb | 1,450 lb |
GMC figures as reported by GM Authority, 17 Sep 2026. Maximum ratings; each is reached in a specific configuration.
The diesel loses 1,200 lb of towing. That matters because for 2026 it was the Sierra's best tower, and many buyers chose it for exactly that reason.
A smaller engine with the right package out-tows a bigger engine without it. The 2027 Sierra makes that point by 4,100 lb.
One trim gets the tow package
GM's 2027 fleet order guide, compared line by line with the 2026 edition by gm-trucks.com, makes the Sierra's towing lineup even narrower. The Max Trailering Package is now offered on the Elevation 3SB only, and only with the 5.7L V8 or the diesel. For 2026 it was available on the SLE, Elevation and SLT. It is not listed for the AT4, AT4X, Denali or Denali Ultimate, and the Sierra version also requires four-wheel drive and 275/60R20 all-terrain tires.
The rear axle is no longer a choice: every V8 and the diesel get a 3.23, and the 3.73 the 2026 diesel needed for its top rating is gone. On the plus side, every 2027 Sierra comes with a hitch and a trailer brake controller. Factory trailering mirrors, though, are listed only on the Sierra Pro, so the Elevation 3SB that tows the most leaves the factory without them.
One number to double-check
Coverage of the launch is not consistent on the four-cylinder's payload: the text of the GM Authority report gives 2,340 lb and its table gives 2,310 lb. We show the table figure. GMC's own consumer site has also shown more than one diesel towing figure. That is normal at launch, and it is why we wait for the trailering guide before putting a number on a spec page.
Sources
- GM Authority, "2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Sees Revised Max Towing, Payload Capacities", 17 Sep 2026 (2026 and 2027 figures announced by GMC)
- gm-trucks.com, "Every 2027 Silverado, Sierra Towing Change in GM's Order Guides", 26 Sep 2026 (2027 fleet order guide)
The 2027 Silverado 1500 tows 13,700 lb. Read the fine print.
Payload vs towing capacity
How much can a half-ton truck tow?