The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Sierra 2500/3500 heavy-duty full-size pickup trucks get more features for 2021 that help remove some of the hassle and guesswork that comes with towing. These include new camera functions to monitor cars hidden in the truck’s blind spots, plus the means to make attaching a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer much easier.
New Features
Two completely new features for 2021 are the Trailer Length Indicator and Jack-Knife Alert system. Trailer Length Indicator displays a red overlay on the 8-inch center console screen that’s double the length of the truck/trailer and informs the driver if another vehicle is potentially in the way of the lane change. The feature activates when the vehicle is moving forward and the driver clicks the turn-signal stalk.
As for Jack-Knife Alert, on compatible trailers, it monitors to see whether the front of the trailer is getting too close to the back of the truck. If so, a visual alert warns the driver that the truck could potentially jackknife.
Improved Features
New functions of existing features include backup guidelines that display in the Rear Trailer View to help when reversing a trailer into place. This works in cooperation with a Trailer-Angle Indicator that shows the position and angle of the trailer related to the truck. Also, the Rear Side View system that previously provided a split-screen view of left and right sides of the trailer only while driving forward now operates in Reverse. This system displays views of both sides of the truck and trailer, and the display is based on the angle between the two; once again, the objective is to make it easier to position a trailer and spot obstacles around the truck.
For more serious towing duty, the optional Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance simplify the task of hooking the truck to a gooseneck trailer. The center screen provides the driver with a rear-facing view of the cargo bed and hookup points for the truck and trailer.
What Else Is New?
Other notable additions to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 include the availability of the MultiPro Tailgate on the SLE and Elevation trim levels, more exterior color choices and available 20-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires on the off-road-focused Sierra 1500 AT4.
As for the Sierra HD, option shuffling means the range-topping Denali trim now comes with standard HD Surround Vision and the Bed View Camera. A new Black Diamond Edition adds 20-inch gloss-black wheels, plus power retractable side steps to make getting in and out of this hard-working (and high-riding) truck less of a stretch.
Duramax 3.0-Liter Diesel Price Slashed
For anyone interested in the optional 277-horsepower, Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, consider yourself in luck: Not only does this brawny motor serve up 460 pounds-feet of torque, it’s now significantly less expensive for 2021. GMC slashed the price of this engine option by a cool $1,500 dollars to $995. The four other engines available in the Sierra 1500, meanwhile, carry over into 2021 unchanged in terms of horsepower and torque output.
With truck sales booming and more people opting for camping and RV vacation plans, GMC’s tow-friendly features arrive at an appropriate time, and the updated 2021 Sierra goes on sale in the fall.
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