When it comes to trailering, it’s pretty clear who’s in front.
June 12th, 2013 in News
When it comes to trailering, it’s pretty clear who’s in front. In the full-size pickup department, that would be the 2014 GMC Sierra. The honor belongs to the 6.2L V-8 Sierra Denali, boasting a massive 12,000-pound towing capacity, 420 horsepower, and 450 pound-feet of torque.

Even without stepping up to the 6.2L engine, the smaller 5.3L V-8 engine still outclasses the competition. The Sierra 5.3L EcoTec V-8 has a max trailering rating of 11,500 pounds, with an SAE certified 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than all of the competitors’ most powerful trucks, while using less fuel in the process. Ford’s largest truck, the 6.2L V-8, is rated at 11,300 pounds, The Ram 5.7L Hemi V8 at 10,450 pounds, and the Toyota Tundra 5.7L V-8 comes in at 10,400. But let’s compare apples to apples—Ford’s 5.0L V-8 is rated at 10,000 pounds, and the Ram 4.7L V-8 only 7,700 pounds. The GMC Sierra is professional grade, a step above the competition.

Our engineers worked hard to increase stability to give you the confidence you need for high level trailering. Hook up an empty trailer or boat, and you’ll barely notice it’s there. New wheels and higher specification tires with stiffer sidewalls reduce wobble under load, and a bevy of assistive technologies that aid everything from acceleration, safety, and braking. Hill Start Assist automatically engages the Sierra’s brakes for 1.5 seconds or until the gas pedal is pressed. By simply pressing a button on the shift lever, the driver can active Tow/Haul Mode, which modifies the standard six-speed transmission. In this mode, shift points are higher under acceleration for additional power, while engine braking is engaged earlier during downshifts. Trailer Grade Braking efficiently slows the vehicle by downshifting the engine automatically when the brakes are applied lightly. As a result, disc brake rotor temperatures are reduced by as much as 100 degrees Celsius during a braking event. Advanced drivers who want full control during trailering can utilize TapShift (which deactivates Trailer Grade Braking).
Boats, horses, Airstreams, get ready. Just remember the 55 mph speed limit for trailering vehicles.





























Tires balder than the Monopoly guy? If you answer yes, it’s time for new tires… or it may not be too much longer before you stop passing “Go”. Worn tires are unsafe, inefficient, and in many cases, illegal to drive. The tread on your tires diverts water away from the tire, preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning off the road. But as the tread wears down, so does its ability to divert water—and they don’t have to necessarily “look bald” before they are unsafe to drive on.

Oh, V-8, it’s been too long. Not since the 1996 Impala has Chevrolet offered a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan. But that doesn’t mean Chevrolet has been sitting idle—no—the Chevy SS brings its racing DNA straight off the track. In its initial run, the newly debuted Chevrolet SS won in the Daytona 500 with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel. And the showroom version is as close as you can get to its NASCAR cousin within the limits of the law. Or in other words, this is a race car you can actually drive on the street. No helmet required.