GMC applies its famous Professional Grade ethos to every corner of the Sierra 1500. While the truck’s 420-hp 6.2L V8 is a perfect example of this approach, it’s certainly not alone. From the tires and trailer hitch to its available skid plates and lifted suspension, the Sierra 1500 represents one of the most well-rounded pickups on today’s market. Of course, there are two numbers that drivers should always keep in mind when choosing their next truck: towing and payload capacity.
The Sierra 1500 is no slouch in either department, providing 13,200 lbs of max towing and up to 2,240 lbs of payload capacity, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. GMC has also equipped the pickup with a host of innovative features that allow drivers to take full advantage of every ounce of the Sierra 1500’s ample payload capacity. Let’s explore a few of the highlights and learn how getting behind the wheel of a new or used GMC Sierra 1500 for sale can immediately up your hauling capabilities.
Payload Capacity
The Sierra 1500 offers a generous range of potent powertrains that give drivers all the muscle they’ll need to haul heavy loads. It starts with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces over 300 hp thanks to its turbocharged design. The base engine is also a standout in terms of payload capacity, allowing the Sierra 1500 to accommodate a lineup-leading 2,240 lbs with ease.
The truck’s V8 engines (a 355-hp 5.3-liter and a 420-hp 6.2-liter) do sacrifice a bit of payload in exchange for power, but it’s a small price to pay for the sort of performance they can unlock. This trade-off largely comes down to a matter of size. While it does tend to help, pure horsepower isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to payload capacity. A larger engine might be more powerful, but its increased weight has to be factored in when determining how much payload capacity the truck can safely provide.
GMC has also rolled-out a torque-rich 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel that leads the way when it comes to towing capacity at 13,200 lbs while still delivering as much as 1,890 lbs of payload. That said, it’s the Sierra 1500’s sturdy design that really enhances its payload capacity. GMC has engineered the pickup with a robust chassis, suspension, and braking system that can withstand even the weightiest load, along with brawny axles that are designed to offer years of worry-free driving.
CarbonPro Cargo Bed
The Sierra 1500’s CarbonPro bed demonstrates GMC’s ambitious approach to the segment. Built from the same carbon fiber that can be found in some of the world’s top supercars, the CarbonPro bed provides the ultimate in strength, durability, and scratch resistance. While such claims are easy enough to make, GMC has put the CarbonPro bed through a rigorous testing process that’s sure to deliver peace of mind when you put your pickup through its paces.
From drop tests that involved hitting the cargo bed with cinder blocks, water-filled steel drums, and 1,800 lbs of gravel to exposing the truck to extreme weather conditions in Arizona and Canada, GMC has done its research to provide drivers with one of the toughest cargo beds the industry has ever seen. This bed was even subjected to scorching exhaust from a portable generator, projectiles hurled in Category 1 hurricane-force winds, and a fully loaded snowmobile with metal studs, and it came out largely unscathed.
The carbon fiber bed also boasts improved rebound efficiency when compared to the traditional design, and it weighs in around 25% less than your average cargo bed. The composite material is naturally corrosion-resistant, which marks a major improvement over the potentially rusty steel beds found on many of the industry’s other pickups. The CarbonPro bed doesn’t require a spray-in bedliner or other aftermarket protection, and its lightweight nature ups the Sierra 1500’s payload capacity by nearly 60 lbs. Add in best-in-class cargo volume and numerous tie-downs spread through the cargo area, and it’s easy to see why the CarbonPro bed has so many people talking.
MultiPro Tailgate
Truck tailgates have long been treated as an afterthought, with brands choosing to focus on a model’s towing, performance, or off-road credentials, but that all changed in 2019 when GMC rolled out the MultiPro tailgate. The humble component might seem like an unlikely candidate for improvement (after all, a tailgate really only NEEDS to move up and down), but GMC has thoroughly smashed that misconception with its MultiPro design. The groundbreaking tailgate features seven unique functions and allows the Sierra 1500 to handle longer loads and bulky cargo while improving ergonomics in a way that many other pickups simply can’t match.
The MultiPro tailgate’s second function is a primary gate load stop that’s ideal for handling building materials, outdoors equipment, or any other cargo that might require a little extra real estate. By lowering the tailgate and raising the load stop, you can hit the highway without having to worry about losing any cargo along the way. An adjustable inner gate can be folded down when the primary gate is lowered, giving owners the ability to reach seven to nine inches further into the cargo bed without any tiring contortions. If you’re trying to pack in as much cargo as possible, the truck’s inner gate load stop is sure to come in handy. This feature serves a similar function to the primary gate load stop, but it sits a little higher on the tailgate to give the pickup two tiers of storage.
The Sierra 1500’s CornerStep rear bumper already improves entry and egress, but the MultiPro tailgate ups the ante with a full-width step that can be accessed when both the primary and inner gates are lowered. This 48-inch-wide step is rated for up to 375 lbs and is paired with a fold-out grab handle that makes loading and unloading supplies that much easier. In a bid to appeal to those drivers who tend to work through their lunch break, GMC has outfitted the MultiPro tailgate with an inner gate work surface that can serve as everything from a workbench or impromptu desk to a place to clean and fry up your latest catch. If you need to review blueprints or process a little paperwork when you’re away from the office, the Sierra 1500’s optional 120-volt bed outlet can power a wide variety of electronics, from laptops and tablets to lights and stereos.
Speaking of sound systems, the MultiPro tailgate can also be upgraded to include a 100-watt exterior stereo in the inner panel. Offering two coaxial loudspeakers, a compact amplifier, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port for device charging, this optional KICKER Audio System turns the Sierra 1500 into a party on wheels. GMC even upgraded the tailgate’s most basic function with a remote release function that lets drivers access the cargo bed by simply pushing a button on their key fob, the instrument panel, or directly on the hatch itself.
Bed-View Camera
The Sierra 1500 is packed with an arsenal of advanced tech that significantly enhances the truck’s utility and safety. These features can be found across the entire trim ladder, starting with auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors on the SLT trim, which are intended to protect drivers from today’s blinding headlights.
The truck’s off-road-ready AT4 trim includes a trailer blind-spot monitor that will alert you to any vehicles that might be lurking just out of view when you’re loaded down with a trailer, as well as a surround-view camera system that offers a unique bird’s-eye view of the area immediately surrounding the pickup. The camera system is sure to prove useful when trying to nestle the Sierra 1500 into a tight parking spot; it can also make performing that tricky trailer connection just a little bit easier by allowing you to line everything up just right.
These inventive features aside, it’s two payload-related systems that really caught our attention this time around. The AT4X adds a virtual rearview mirror camera that lets drivers get a clear view of the road even when the bed is piled high with precious cargo, allowing you to perform safer lane changes and reducing unwanted accidents and sudden stops that might send your payload flying.
The AT4X, along with the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims, also includes a Cargo Bed View camera mounted on the roof of the cab that lets you keep a close eye on your freight without having to crane your neck to see out of the back window when moving at highway speeds. The Cargo Bed View camera can also prove useful when attempting to connect a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch, and it even includes an integrated guideline that’ll help you move everything into a precise position.
A Readymade Hauling Machine
It’s the little touches that really make the Sierra 1500 one of the most practical options on the market while increasing its appeal for those who might be new to the world of pickups. A full-size truck can represent a steep learning curve for those who are accustomed to smaller pickups, SUVs, or sedans, but the Sierra 1500 makes the switch a lot less intimidating thanks to its suite of advanced towing, hauling, and safety technology.
Between its 2,240-lb max payload capacity, seven-function MultiPro tailgate, bed-view camera, and sturdy CarbonPro bed, GMC’s flagship pickup leverages the latest automotive tech to set itself apart from the crowd. The Sierra 1500 is also widely regarded as one of the most luxurious models in the segment, offering a range of high-end materials and premium features like ventilated seats, a Bose sound system, and a head-up display that prove just how far the pickup market has come from its workaday roots.
