What is Difference Between 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 Pin Weight Capacity and Payload

Updated 05/23/2021 | Published 05/21/2021

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch w/ Custom Installation Kit - 30,000 lbs

(4763)

$699.00

B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(612)

$1599.00

Question:

I just bought a 2021 GMC Denali 2500 HD pickup. My conventional trailer rating is 17,870 pounds, with a tongue weight of 1787. My gooseneck 5th wheel rating is 11,530 pounds, with a max tongue weight of 1695. However, above that info on my door sticker, it says my max payload is 1654. That doesn’t make sense to me, because I’ve always been told that the tongue weight is part of payload. How can my max tongue weight be more than my payload? My GVWR is 10,000, and my GCWR is 26,000. I have tried asking GM, and they told me to ask my dealer, who says I can tow anything : I am pretty sure the RV dealer would say that, too, because they would like to sell me a 5th wheel. Can you help me figure out how much tongue weight/payload I have, or point me in the direction of someone who can tell me? I’ve attached a pic of the sticker to help.

asked by: Cheryl S

Expert Reply:

So the reason the pin weight capacity of a truck bed and the payload capacity is different is because the pin weight doesn't end up resting on the truck bed which is made of a thinner material and actually connects to the truck frame via the gooseneck hitch or fifth wheel hitch. So basically the difference is that pay load is the capacity of the truck bed and how much vertical weight it can handle and pin weight is the vertical weight capacity of the truck frame.

For a gooseneck hitch that fits your 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 we have the B and W part # BWGNRK1020 which you could use a fifth wheel hitch directly with the Companion # BWRVK3400 which is a slider since your truck is a short bed.

expert reply by: Jameson C