How does the new and the first-ever 2024 GMC Sierra HD 2500 AT4X AEV Edition truck do on the Ike GauntletTM – the world’s toughest towing test with a skid-steer loader in tow? Let’s find out!
Can one pickup really do everything? This first-ever GMC heavy-duty AEV Edition truck has a long name and it promises a lot! We already took it off-road, and we know that it’s very capable off-pavement (see the off-road video review below). Now, it’s time to see how it pulls a heavy trailer up and down a 11,158-ft tall mountain.
Ike Gauntlet
This is an 8-mile stretch of I-70 interstate that crosses the continental divide in the middle of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It’s a 7% grade with a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet above sea level. If a pickup truck does well here, it will tow your trailer with ultimate confidence anywhere.
GMC Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition
The luxurious off-road AT4X trim joins the GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickup truck lineup. It’s available only on the HD 2500 crew cab standard bed 4×4 trucks. It can be configured with a 6.6L gas V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, if you are planning to tow trailers longer distances – the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 is a better choice. This latest L5P diesel is rated at 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque. It’s also mated to an Allison-branded 10-speed automatic transmission.
Downhill
This Sierra HD AT4X truck did an excellent job of handling this 11,000-lbs trailer on the way down this mountain. We registered one brake application near the start of the descent. This set the speed at 50 mph. The tow-haul mode and exhaust brake were engaged and I set the cruise control system at 50 mph. We monitored the brake actuation via the Trailer Brake Gain digital screen readout.
Uphill
The big turbo-diesel accelerated with authority on the way up. This trailer is not near this truck’s 18,400 lbs maximum tow rating. This particular truck did not have the gooseneck/5th-wheel hitch package (although one can be added). This GMC Sierra HD was confident, stable, and quiet on the way up the mountain.
Watch the video below for all the details.
