Heavy-Duty vs Light-Duty

Which Is Right For You?

GMC offers both light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks (as well as a mid-size truck, the GMC Canyon). The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is GMC’s light-duty option while the 2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD are the heavy-duty options. So how do you know which truck will meet your needs?

More commonly, drivers purchase the light-duty variant of the Sierra because of its lower price point and superior fuel economy. Light-duty pickup trucks meet most typical towing needs: They are good for hauling small trailers with furniture and construction supplies and are great if you will make regular use of the cargo bed. The average light-duty truck has a max payload of around 1,500 to 3,000 pounds and can tow up to 12,000; the 2019 Sierra 1500 tops out at 12,200 pounds.

Aside from better fuel economy, light-duty trucks also benefit from better maneuverability, especially in suburban areas, city centers, and parking lots. If you intend to use your truck as a daily driver—and not just out in the country—light-duty makes more sense.

Heavy-duty trucks are perfect for those with increased towing needs, like owners of large RVs and boats or drivers who will use their trucks on tough job sites. Heavy-duty trucks are more commonly available with powerful diesel engines and come with advanced towing technologies. The 2019 GMC Sierra HD model boasts up to 23,100 lbs of towing capacity and a max payload of 6,112 lbs.

Heavy-duty pickup trucks aren’t known for their fuel economy or maneuverability on tight city streets, but if you need raw towing power for your outdoor toys like boats and trailers, or if you just need a tough tower out on the farm or job site, go with a heavy-duty truck.

If you want to take a GMC truck for a test drive to try its handling and features in person, contact us at Transwest GMC.