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Towing a massive trailer instantly reveals what a truck is really made of, and no spec sheet or badge can really fake it when you’re out on the open road with thousands of pounds behind you. That’s why this post caught my eye this morning as I was scrolling through the “EVAAC” group on Facebook. I encountered Colin Jamieson, who had just taken his GMC Sierra EV on a real-world towing test, hauling a fully loaded 9,000 lb boat and trailer through Nova Scotia. Despite the heavy load, the truck maintained smooth power, impressive efficiency, and left him saying it outperformed any gas or diesel truck he’s ever used. Here’s what Colin shared in his own words:
“How well does a Sierra EV tow in the wild? Pretty awesome! This boat has twin outboard motors, full of approximately 550 liters of fuel. And combining the trailer and boat, I’m estimating around 9,000 lbs. Fully charged at 100% with 740 km max range, and I drove 80.7 kms of mostly highway at 105 km/hr on cruise control. The regenerative braking helped maintain speed going down hills and kept exact speed up or down hills running from Dartmouth to Chester, NS on the HWY103. Landed home with 75% battery capacity and still had 555 kms left on range. It certainly had some effect on efficiency, as it’s a very big trailer and heavy. A 1500 series truck is scary pulling it as is and I usually haul with a diesel 2500. The EV pulled stronger and smoother than a HD2500. An absolute incredible experience to trailer heavy weight with. No white knuckles and one pedal driving was seamless.
I had a super cruise option but stuck to steering the whole way myself. 760 HP and 748 km range. The air ride suspension showed no signs of squatting, and it made hooking and unhooking the trailer a breeze with the selective ride height. And backing into place with the four-wheel steer was a dream. Hands down outperforms any ICE truck on the market.”
Why This Isn’t Just Another EV Story
Unlike the staged test drives and polished promotional videos we’ve all seen, this was something raw. It was a real-world trial of what the Sierra EV could do under serious towing stress. And what he found was not just surprising, it was game-changing. Many truck owners still debate whether a fully electric pickup can match or exceed traditional trucks in performance, but this case adds to the growing list of examples proving the answer might already be a confident yes.
First, there’s the weight—9,000 lbs is no small load, especially when it includes a boat loaded with 550 liters of fuel. For context, that’s well into the range where even seasoned diesel 2500 drivers start paying close attention. And Colin is one of them as he admits he normally hauls this setup with a diesel 2500 because a standard 1500-series truck feels unstable and underpowered. Yet the Sierra EV not only held its own but “pulled stronger and smoother than a HD2500.”
That’s an eye-opening statement for any traditional truck owner.
Features That Made the Difference
But Colin’s post wasn’t just about brute power. What made his experience so smooth was the regenerative braking, the air suspension, and the four-wheel steering. These aren’t just comfort features, because we saw how they directly improved his ability to handle the trailer safely. Going downhill was no longer a white-knuckle ride, thanks to regen braking that kept speed in check without burning out the brake pads. And the adjustable suspension made loading and unloading the trailer a breeze. Plus, backing into a parking spot with a 9,000 lb trailer? With four-wheel steering, Colin says it was a dream.
Even more impressive was the efficiency. He started his trip with a full battery at 740 km of range, drove 80.7 km at 105 km/h, and still had 75% battery left and 555 km of range when he got back. That’s better than many would expect, and supports what others have experienced in long-haul EV driving, like the owner who said their Sierra EV crushed road trips through sub-zero temps.
This isn’t an isolated story either. Others in the community have begun sharing their own real-world towing successes with the Sierra EV, many of which echo Colin’s sentiments. Take the owner who explained how the 2025 GMC Sierra EV proved its mettle through a combination of range confidence and cutting-edge ride quality. These aren’t just marketing claims, they’re people like Colin putting these trucks to the test.
Community Reactions That Add Context
Under Colin’s post, several commenters jumped in to share their thoughts, and together they painted a broader picture of how the community is responding to these evolving EV capabilities.
Keith Wilde kicked things off by saying, “Good to hear/see more practical experience with EVs in everyday life situations.” It’s a comment that echoes what many electric-curious truck owners are waiting for: stories that aren’t theoretical but grounded in real-world hauling and towing.
GB Walker added, “Thanks for sharing! I am in the process to replace my farm ICE truck over to an all EV version. I really like the Rivian, Ford… torn GMC? Sadly just black/white near us available color wise.” Colin responded directly, saying, “I’ve spent lots of time behind the wheel of a Silverado EV too. Waaayyy better range and performance than the Ford Lightning… Way better.” This kind of firsthand comparison adds even more credibility to his initial review and gives potential buyers clarity from someone who’s tested multiple electric trucks.
Real Drivers, Real Decisions
These firsthand experiences are influencing people who are still weighing the pros and cons of switching from a traditional Sierra AT4 1500 or a diesel 2500HD. This article featuring a Sierra owner facing that exact decision shows how common this crossroad has become.
This also aligns closely with broader community stories, like the one where a GMC owner shared how the 2025 Sierra EV Denali became a state-of-the-art evolution of the gas truck they used to drive.
Together, these reactions aren’t just casual agreement, as they represent a growing shift in how people view electric pickups. They’re shaping a new conversation, and not about whether EVs can tow, but whether there’s much reason left to stick with gas in the first place.
I think what’s most exciting about this story is how normal it is. There’s nothing glamorous about hauling a heavy boat down the highway, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s not a Tesla launch video or a Rivian ad campaign, but a real driver with real weight behind a vehicle that’s supposed to be the future of trucks.
And it did the job better than the ones we’ve trusted for decades. As someone who’s been watching the EV space evolve, stories like Colin’s give me hope that electric trucks are finally entering their practical phase. It seems we’re past the point where they stop being experiments, and instead being tools we can rely on.
Key Takeaways
- Towing capability: A properly equipped GMC Sierra EV can tow up to 9,000 lbs while still retaining over 500 km of usable range.
- Ride and handling: Air suspension and four-wheel steering aren’t gimmicks, as they dramatically improve real-world towing safety and convenience.
- Braking advantage: Regenerative braking and one-pedal driving reduce fatigue and wear when towing heavy loads.
- Real-world validation: Driver feedback from owners like Colin Jamieson shows electric trucks are no longer “theoretical” haulers—they’re outperforming traditional trucks in meaningful ways.
Ready to Make the Switch?
What do you think of EV trucks? Have you tried towing with an EV yet, or are you still relying on diesel or gas for heavy hauls?
And if you’ve made the switch, or are still on the fence, what’s the biggest factor influencing your decision?
Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The “EVAAC” public Facebook group.
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Source: torquenews.com
