The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 does more than offer a rugged foundation, a variety of strong powertrains, and smart capability – especially for those who plan on trailering. The Sierra was designed from day one to incorporate a variety of new, innovative ideas and technologies that improve driver confidence when connecting to or towing a trailer.

“In addition to working with major trailer manufacturers, GMC spoke with thousands of pickup truck owners who trailer, either on a daily basis or a couple times a month,” said Tony Johnson, Director of Truck Strategy. “We listened to their thoughts on how the trailering process, from connecting the hitch to traveling down the road, could be improved upon, and integrated professional-grade solutions into this Sierra.”

PROGRADE TRAILERING SYSTEM

A typical towing package might include a receiver hitch platform, a wiring connector, and some other basic bits of hardware. That isn’t the case with the Sierra’s available ProGrade Trailering system.

“ProGrade Trailering goes beyond a basic towing package,” said Johnson. “The connectivity and convenience it adds to the Sierra are designed to provide guidance and eliminate guesswork while trailering, helping customers feel more confident while trailering. Whether you’re looking to back up to a trailer without a spotter or simply want to keep tabs on your trailer, the ProGrade Trailering system will prove an invaluable tool.”

ProGrade Trailering includes:

• Auto Electric Parking Brake Assist: To help with perfect positioning, after backing up to a trailer hitch, Sierra will automatically apply the parking brake when shifting into park, preventing any further movement.
• Hitch Area Lighting: a new lamp integrated into the tailgate panel shines directly down on the receiver hitch area, easing trailer connections in the dark.
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller: This controller now allows drivers to program trailer brake level settings to specific trailer profiles.

IN-VEHICLE TRAILERING APP
At the core of Sierra’s ProGrade Trailering functionality is the new Trailering App. Integrated with and accessible through Sierra’s available infotainment system^† , the Trailering App offers a variety of unique features designed explicitly to improve the trailering experience^† .

Trailering App functionality includes:

• Pre-Departure Checklists: Sierra’s infotainment screen can provide a step-by-step illustrated guide of the steps required to connect a trailer to the truck. For those new to trailering, these steps can be expanded to show clear, illustrated examples of what connections need to be made.

• Trailer Light Test: There’s no need to find a helper to run through an external light test on your truck and trailer – just press a button on the screen, and the truck and trailer will run through a specific lighting sequence (i.e. apply brake lights, turn signals, etc.), making this a quick, one-person job.

• Customizable trailer profiles: Once a trailer is connected, it can be saved as a stored profile within the app itself. These profiles can help keep track of trailer mileage, provide reminders of trailer maintenance intervals, and recall trailer brake controller gain settings, amongst other features.

• Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring: After a set of wireless tire pressure sensors are installed on the trailer’s wheels, they can then relay tire pressure and tire temperature information to the app screen, allowing the driver to easily keep tabs on possible tire issues from the driver’s seat.

• Theft Alert: To discourage trailer theft, Theft Alert extends Sierra’s theft alert capabilities to the trailer. If a trailer is disconnected while the Sierra is parked and locked, the truck’s lights and horn are triggered.  

MOBILE APP ACCESS

Truck owners can also choose to use their smartphone as part of the trailering process with the myGMC mobile app^†.

The app includes functionalities like:

• Create and manage unique trailer profiles, which can be shared with other Sierra owners.
• Trailer Light Test and Pre-Departure Checklists, giving you a quick reference when working to connect the trailer at the hitch.
• Trailer Load Calculator to find out the combined weight of your truck and trailer.
• View and receive alerts on key components on your trailer, such as tire pressure and trailer miles.
• Trailering Glossary to give you a quick reference to trailering materials.

The myGMC mobile app also has smart trailer integration by working with ASA Electronics’’ in-Command Control System with Global Connect. The system allows owners to monitor and control a range of smart systems, such as water tank levels, HVAC controls and power slide-outs, in recreational trailers equipped with the technology.

You can also pull this experience into the vehicle through the GMC Infotainment System^† with either Android Auto^† or Apple CarPlay^†.

CLASS-LEADING CAMERA VIEWS

Truck owners can now keep an eye on their trailer and truck with up to 15 available camera views^†. Most of the camera views are easily accessed through the infotainment screen and remain visible even when the truck is being driven.

These 15 camera views, the most of any competitive light-duty pickup truck^†, help give you added confidence in multiple trailering scenarios like connecting a trailer, navigating parking lots, merging into traffic or executing a tight turn.

Among the views is Transparent Trailer, an industry first technology. Transparent Trailer works with box or camping trailers up to 32ˈ in length using a conventional hitch, and leverages the tailgate-mounted camera and an available auxiliary accessory camera mounted on the rear of the trailer (customer installed) so the driver can virtually “see through” the trailer. This new panoramic view lets the driver see the area behind the truck and trailer as if the trailer wasn’t there, helping illustrate objects and obstacles within the trailer’s blind spots.

FOCUSED ON TRAILERING, THROUGH AND THROUGH
The technological innovation in the Sierra 1500 that helps bring convenience and ease to the trailering experience doesn’t just end there. Other features incorporated into our latest full-size pickup that can make trailering easier include:

• Trailering Information Label: This new label, placed within the driver’s door jamb, clearly calls out vehicle-specific weight information, including curb weight, GVWR, GCWR, maximum payload, maximum tongue weight, and rear GAWR.
• Tow/Haul Mode: This feature adjusts transmission shift points, steering and chassis controls in order to deliver peak power when needed most. The Sierra provides a reminder to engage Tow/Haul Mode when a trailer is detected. Further, Tow/Haul Mode remains engaged up to four hours after shutting down the engine – leaving one less thing to remember when hopping back in your vehicle after stopping for gas, food, or to enjoy a scenic stop along your drive route.
• Trailer Sway Control: Senses when a towed trailer begins to sway and applies tow vehicle brakes and/or dials back engine power to bring trailer back under control. When paired with the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller and a trailer with electric brakes, the trailer’s brakes may also be applied to help stabilize the trailer.
• Automatic Grade Braking: Sierra can sense when the driver wants to slow the truck and trailer down on a steep incline and trigger downshifts to reduce brake use and wear.
  
• Available Trailer Tow Mirrors: These outside power-adjustable mirrors feature heated upper glass for the driver and passenger side. The lower convex mirrors help give additional views. In addition, the mirrors have integrated turn signal indicators/clearance lamps, perimeter lighting, rear guidance lamps and forward auxiliary task lighting.
  

To learn more, visit the 2020 Sierra 1500 page.