GMC SIERRA 1500 2006 Owners Manual

Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benet to the selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/Haul is
recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can also depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle, and the amount of tongue
weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
Above the 5,000 lb (2 268 kg) trailer rating, the
handling/trailering suspension is required on
C-1500 models and the handling/trailering or
off-road suspension is required on K-1500 models.
Use one of the following charts to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle model
and options.
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.23 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.736,400 lbs (2 903 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 357 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.734,400 lbs (1 996 kg)
5,400 lbs (2 449 kg)9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.737,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
8,400 lbs (3 810 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto)3.23
3.734,600 lbs (2 087 kg)
5,100 lbs (2 313 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 3,600 lbs (1 633 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.735,900 lbs (2 676 kg)
6,900 lbs (3 130 kg)11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.733,900 lbs (1 769 kg)
4,900 lbs (2 222 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.736,900 lbs (3 130 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)**12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum 8,000 lbs (3 628 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 HD (2WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.108,300 lbs (3 765 kg)
10,300 lbs (4 672 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 2,500 lbs (1 133 kg)
maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Crew Cab (2WD)*
5300 V83.23
3.736,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6000 V8 3.73 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering is neither designed nor intended for this vehicle
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.23 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 313 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.23 3,800 lbs (1 724 kg) 8,500 lbs (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.736,200 lbs (2 812 kg)
7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.734,200 lbs (1 905 kg)
5,200 lbs (2 359 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.23
3.737,200 lbs (3 266 kg)
8,200 lbs (3 719 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
4-71

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.23
3.735,800 lbs (2 631 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.23
3.733,800 lbs (1 724 kg)
4,800 lbs (2 177 kg)9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,800 lbs (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (4WD)
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.73 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.73 4,100 lbs (1 860 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 086 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.73
4.107,100 lbs (3 221 kg)
7,100 lbs (3 221 kg)
8,100 lbs (3 674 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.73
4.105,100 lbs (2 313 kg)
5,100 lbs (2 313 kg)
6,100 lbs (2 767 kg)10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 994 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.73
4.108,100 lbs (3 674 kg)
8,000 lbs (3 674 kg)
9,100 lbs (4 128 kg)13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 356 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (4WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.73
4.106,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
6,700 lbs (3 039 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)**12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.73
4.104,700 lbs (2 132 kg)
4,700 lbs (2 132 kg)
5,700 lbs (2 585 kg)10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.73
4.107,700 lbs (3 493 kg)**
7,700 lbs (3 493 kg)**
8,700 lbs (3 946 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
** Maximum weight 7,700 lbs. (3 492 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
K-1500 HD (4WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
9,900 lbs (4 491 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Crew Cab (4WD)*
5300 V83.42
3.73
4.107,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
8,400 lbs (3 810 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6000 V8** 4.10 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering is neither designed nor intended for this vehicle.
**Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight up to 1,200 lbs (544 kg) on models
with NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance.
4-73

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Regular Cab Long Box (4WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.73 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.73 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs (4 082 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.73
4.106,900 lbs (3 130 kg)
6,900 lbs (3 130 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.73
4.104,900 lbs (2 223 kg)
4,900 lbs (2 223 kg)
5,900 lbs (2 676 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
8,900 lbs (4 037 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum weight 8,900 lbs (4 036 kg) for fth-wheel and gooseneck.
4-74

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Extended Cab Long Box (4WD)*
4800 V83.42
3.73
4.106,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
6,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.73
4.104,500 lbs (2 041 kg)
4,500 lbs (2 041 kg)
5,500 lbs (2 495 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)**
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)**
8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)**13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
maximum.
**Maximum weight 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) for fth-wheel and gooseneck.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 Regular Cab Long Box HD (2WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
4-75

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 Extended Cab Short Box HD (2WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 10,200 lbs (4 627 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,000 lbs
(1 361 kg) maximum.
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck GCWR for 6.6L V8 Diesel 2500 HD series models is 23,200 lbs (10 523 kg).
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 Extended Cab Long Box HD (2WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
C-2500 Crew Cab Short Box HD (2WD)
6000 V8 4.10 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
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Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 Crew Cab Long Box HD (2WD)
6000 V8 4.10 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 HD (4WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.107,900 lbs (3 583 kg)
9,900 lbs (4 491 kg)14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-2500 Regular Cab Long Box HD (4WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 10,300 lbs (4 672 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck GCWR for 6.6L V8 Diesel 2500 HD series models is 23,200 lbs (10 523 kg).
4-77

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-2500 Extended Cab Short Box HD (4WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck GCWR for 6.6L V8 Diesel 2500 HD series models is 23,200 lbs (10 523 kg).
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-2500 Extended Cab Long Box HD (4WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 9,900 lbs (4 490 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
K-2500 Crew Cab Short Box HD (4WD)*
6000 V8 4.10 9,800 lbs (4 445 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
8100 V83.73
4.1012,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)20,000 lbs (9 072 kg)
22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
6.6L V8 Diesel 3.73 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) 22,000 lbs (9 979 kg)
*Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up
to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.
4-78