The Best Trailering Tech of 2024

Did you know that towing a trailer doesn't have to be stressful or involve a steep learning curve? Thankfully, automakers like Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, and Toyota are tapping into their expertise and ingenuity to make towing easier and hassle-free. The world's leading truck makers are incorporating advanced trailering tech that responds to our needs, such as simplifying the hitching process and giving us more confidence when navigating in reverse with a trailer attached. With multiple renowned truck dealerships near Atlanta, we here at the Hendrick Automotive Group are proud to highlight the gamut of great tech to help you find the perfect truck with the right tools to get your tough jobs done.

Trailering Tech: GMC & Chevy Edition

As part of the General Motors family, Chevrolet and GMC share trailering tech across their truck lineups, from the Silverado, Silverado HD, and Colorado to the Sierra, Sierra HD, and Canyon. These technologies have brand-specific names but offer the same versatility and functionality. So, what types of trailering tech will you find in these lineups?

Trailering Features

GMC and Chevrolet outfit their trucks with trailering features that improve your experience towing heavy loads, like a boat, trailer, or RV. These features include electronic stability control, engine grade braking, trailer sway control, an integrated trailer brake controller, Tow/Haul mode, Hitch View, Hitch Guidance, and Hill Start Assist. You'll also enjoy greater situational awareness via tech like Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and an expansive camera system.

General Motors offers the most comprehensive camera system in the truck segment, with up to 15 unique views depending on your configuration. Chevrolet and GMC trucks boast the industry's first Transparent Trailer View, which simulates the vantage behind your trailer as you drive. Other views include three available hitch views, a bed view, seven driving views, five parking views, and a Rear Side View when the turn signal is activated. You'll also see a Trailer Length Indicator to help you confidently navigate lane changes.

Adaptive Suspensions

Depending on the year, model, and trim, most Chevrolet and GMC trucks feature adaptive suspension systems. The idea behind the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension (Chevrolet) or Adaptive Ride Control (GMC) is to enhance ride quality and handling. However, the purpose of these components extends to trailering and makes it easier to hitch up to a trailer by allowing you to adjust the height of your truck.

Twin Trailering Systems

The ProGrade Trailering System (GMC) and Advanced Trailering System (Chevrolet) are undeniably the most notable trailering features in the GM wheelhouse. The in-vehicle trailering app works with the infotainment system to give you more control and insight when trailering. You can create customizable profiles, test the trailer's lights, peruse pre-departure checklists, and monitor the trailer tire pressure and temperature. The app—which can work with your smartphone—also features a load calculator, maintenance reminders, a Tow/Haul mode reminder, and trailer theft detection.

Smart Trailer

With Smart Trailer integration, Chevrolet and GMC take your trailering experience to the next level. The Smart Trailer feature is a collaboration between the automakers and ASA Electronics iN-Command Global Connect Systems to give Atlanta RV owners more control and insight. Once integrated with your RV, the Smart Trailer system lets you adjust the RV's climate controls, turn the interior and exterior lights on or off, prime and start the generator, open and close the slide-outs, and monitor vitals like the water tank level, battery life, and generator's fuel level.

Trailering Tech: Ram Edition

Ram is well-known for building trucks that expertly balance luxury and capability. Technology is integral to that balance, with Ram incorporating many tech-related features that improve your experience towing any sized load. Whether driving a Ram 1500 or one of its two heavy-duty siblings, here's a closer look at some of the features to look for when shopping for the perfect workhorse.

Auto-Leveling Rear Suspension

Ram outfits its truck lineup with all the basics, like electronic stability control, trailer sway control, adaptive cruise control, trailer tire pressure monitoring, and electronic roll mitigation. These tools are relatively standard across the segment, so what sets Ram trucks apart from the rest? Ram offers upgrades like an Auto-Leveling Rear Air Suspension with a Bed Lowering Mode; instead of struggling to raise your trailer to the perfect height, Ram's air suspension lowers at the push of a button to simplify the hitching process and put the truck at the ideal height.

Trailer Reverse Steering Control & Guidance

Navigating a trailer in reverse is often intimidating, but Ram proves it doesn't have to be with tools like Trailer Reverse Steering Control and Reverse Guidance with Split-Screen View. Instead of relying on a spotter outside the truck, you can use the Reverse Guidance with Split-Screen View from the truck's center touchscreen display, giving you a clear view of your surroundings. Moreover, it complements advanced technologies like Trailer Reverse Steering Control, which lets you navigate the trailer in reverse by turning a knob and letting the tool handle steering.

Trailer Tow Pages

Ram's version of an in-vehicle trailering app is Trailer Tow Pages. This optional system is accessible via the truck's driver information display and gives you vital feedback and insight into your trailer's performance. For example, you can use it to check the trailer's lights and brakes or use Tow Specific Navigation.

Trailering Tech: Toyota Edition

Trailering technologies are also a prominent part of Toyota's truck lineup, from best-selling road warriors like the Tacoma to full-size workhorses like the Tundra. Atlanta drivers are guaranteed to enjoy many trailering features and the reliability of Toyota's engineering when they get behind the wheel of either of these best-selling trucks. So, what trailering technology will you find from this iconic brand?

Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension

Like Ram, Toyota simplifies the process of hitching up to a trailer by giving you more control from the driver's seat. Trucks like the 2024 Tundra feature a rear air suspension with three manual height modes: High, Low, or Normal. High mode is ideal for venturing off the pavement beyond the Atlanta city limits; Normal is perfect for everyday driving; Low mode reduces the truck's height to make hitching easier, with the rear air suspension automatically adjusting to keep everything level.

Trailer Backup Guide w/ Straight Path Assist

With tools like the Trailer Backup Guide with Straight Path Assist, trucks like the Tundra make life easier in the driver's seat. This tool dramatically reduces the learning curve of navigating a trailer in reverse; by using cameras and sensors, it helps you back up the trailer in a straight line exactly where you want it the first time.

A New Era of Trailering Tech

Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, and Toyota prove we're entering a new era of towing defined by modern tech that instills confidence and gives us more control in the driver's seat. These automakers are keenly aware of drivers' needs and are dedicated to making our experience more enjoyable and hassle-free, whether towing a boat to the lake for the weekend or venturing beyond the city limits with the family and an RV. Even towing a trailer between job sites is more straightforward, giving you one less concern behind the wheel.