Towing While Using Hands-Free Driving? Yes, Using Chevrolet Super Cruise in the Silverado Pickup Truck
I'm not one to trust technology over my own instincts when towing precious cargo, but then I tried Super Cruise hands-free towing on the Chevy Silverado. I changed my mind.
Jordan Almond
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Towing a Trailer… Without Lifting a Finger in the Driver’s Seat
When I was offered the opportunity to learn to use Super Cruise while trailering a load in the Chevy Silverado, I quite honestly didn’t know what to expect. I knew Super Cruise meant hands-free driving, but trailering in that capacity was… difficult to wrap my head around. Especially because so many of the times I’ve hauled a rig it’s been full of precious equine cargo. The idea of trusting tech to take the wheel while pulling a trailer was a little off-putting.
But I gave it a chance and came away convinced after driving and towing in a Chevy Silverado.
Now, It’s worth noting that Super Cruise is only available in the top of the line Silverado High Country edition which starts at $68,495 paired with the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8; $69,290 when paired with the 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel, or $71,185 with the 6.2L EcoTec 3 V8 engine. The base model Chevy Silverado starts at $36,800.
Regardless of the engine option, every Silverado High Country is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision shift (simply meant to give the pickup truck a super smooth ride).
Related: Towing 101: What You Need to Know to Tow with Confidence
Towing in a Chevy Silverado Truck with No Hands! Wait… What?
The truck I tested pulled a 22-foot enclosed trailer that I was told weighed between 3,000 and 3,500 pounds. We had the option to take the rig out alone or have a Chevy pro ride along. For me, that choice was a no-brainer. I came to learn, and what better way to receive an immersive knowledge dump on the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado High Country than hang out with someone who knows the product inside and out?
I did need some reassurance once we were on the highway to actually try the feature. The traffic was gnarly! Folks were changing lanes all over the place, pulling out in front of us; we saw a full gambit of frightening towing situations inside of about 90 seconds. It seemed way too variable to be able to entrust our lives and the towing rig to tech entirely. But, with my trusty co-pilot, Maria, instructing me on how to activate Super Cruise, I tentatively pressed the button on the left-hand side of the Silverado steering wheel.
Related: The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison and Silverado Made This Off-Road Novice Feel 100% Confident
Super Cruise Takes the 2024 Chevy Silverado High Country Up a Notch
Turns out the tech is on point. It only took me a minute or two to completely trust Super Cruise to the point where I was chatting with Maria and talking animatedly with my hands as the Chevy truck seemed to drive itself. Amidst all that highway chaos I found peace behind the wheel – even though my hands weren’t at 9 and 3.
The steering wheel and driver display colors coordinate between red, blue, and green. The system turns red if the driver needs to take back control. A big LED strip on the top of the steering wheel makes it easy to see which setting is in operation.
If you haven’t towed much, Super Cruise makes it way more doable. For anyone who’s no stranger to towing, the value of a truck staying in the lane in the absence of human interference is life-changing. When I have to go back to towing with my peasant truck that doesn’t stay in the lanes on its own, it’ll be a bit of a letdown.
We drove a predetermined route, and whether at speed on a busy interstate or in stop-and-go traffic, Super Cruise moved the 2024 Chevy Silverado High Country effectively. The hands-free driving system navigated traffic changes like a champ, and the pickup truck pulled the load with ease.
Related: The Chevy Tahoe RST 3-Row SUV Powers Your On-Road Adventures
Super Cruise is Cool, but It’s Not a Self-Driving Car
As awesome as this all sounds, don’t get it twisted. This isn’t a self-driving tow rig. Drivers still need to remain alert. Super Cruise hands-free driving systems like the one I tested in the Chevy Silverado are exactly that – hands-free driving systems. The system is intuitive and able to handle a variety of possible driving scenarios safely.
In fact, when you aren’t trailering, Super Cruise can actually change lanes for you. That’s pretty cool. Still, it’s driving assistant tech—not a self-driving feature.
Here are some Super Cruise takeaways at a glance:
- An industry first:
Super Cruise pioneers hands-free driver assistance technology, allowing drivers to travel without hands on compatible roads, currently spanning over 400,000 miles in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to expand to approximately 750,000 miles by 2025.
- It’s the only hands-free driving tech compatible with towing:
Notably, Super Cruise stands as the sole hands-free driver assistance technology in the industry, offering trailering capability.
- Safe deployment philosophy:
GM prioritizes diligence and safe operation in developing its advanced driver assistance features, a commitment the company refers to as its “safe deployment philosophy.”
- GM consumers want hands-free tech:
Super Cruise ranks as the second most compelling reason for vehicle purchases.
- It makes driving easier:
Feedback from surveyed owners overwhelmingly supports the claim that Super Cruise enhances driving experiences, with over 80% expressing that it significantly increases relaxation while driving.
How I Felt about Super Cruise and the Chevy Silverado
The 2024 Chevy Silverado High Country already puts its best foot forward in terms of an elevated driving experience. Saying trucks ain’t what they used to be is old news. Still, in terms of luxury and comfort, this Chevy truck delivered with decadent two-tone leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim.
I may have been in the driver’s seat, but the quiet, upscale interior, user-friendly multimedia system, and smooth ride, combined with the Super Cruise system, made me feel like a peaceful passenger princess. If I knew I would regularly use the truck for towing, that would definitely be a reason why I’d choose the Silverado over its competitors.
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