GMC Sierra boasts Jack Knife Alert
Reversing a caravan has never been easier with latest tech-laden American pick-upThe American-built GMC Sierra was already one of the safest and most towing-friendly, passenger-carrying pick-up trucks on the road, offering a range of smart trailer technology including up to 15 camera views and a world-first see-through trailer display.
Now GMC, which is part of the General Motors group, has taken towing tech to another level again, with its latest 2021-model GMC Sierra full-size pick-up featuring new technology that prevents a dreaded 'jack-knife' from occurring when backing a trailer, along with an extended lane-change assist feature that covers the entire length of the towing rig to prevent accidents when changing lanes.
According to GMC, Jack-Knife Alert "tracks the position of the compatible trailer in relation to the vehicle. If the front of the trailer approaches the rear of the vehicle, an alert is displayed when there may be a potential jack-knife situation".
Rather than in reverse, the Trailer Length Indicator feature works when driving forward and with the side indicator on. "The center console screen displays a red overlay twice the length of the compatible trailer and shows when other vehicles are present and may interfere with a lane-change maneuver," GMC explains.
Other new towing tech on the 2021 Sierra includes an upgraded Rear Trailer View feature which now include guidelines to help when backing a trailer into place, plus a new Trailer-Angle Indicator that shows "the relationship between the truck and compatible trailer".
The Sierra's Rear Side View feature, which provides a split view of both sides of the vehicle, is now also available in reverse, "making it easier to see surrounding vehicles and objects while positioning a trailer".
The new towing tech will be available as part of option packs available on the GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 models.
Although GMC hasn’t released final specs, the 2021 Sierra is expected to have a towing capacity as high as 13 tonnes, depending on configuration, and be powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines including the stump-pulling 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 with slick 10-speed auto available in the current versions.
Like the current-model GMC Sierra, the new 2021 model is likely to be available in Australia through specialist importers and right-hand drive converters.
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