With the era of camping and car camping on the rise, the number of camping trailers is also surging. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of registered caravans in 2021 reached 22,250, a nearly fivefold increase from 4,692 in 2015.
However, handling trailers can be challenging and poses significant accident risks, primarily due to the phenomenon known as trailer sway. This occurs when crosswinds or irregular roads disrupt the trailer’s straight-line stability. In severe cases, there is a risk of the trailer and vehicle overturning, necessitating heightened caution from drivers. Therefore, if you’re looking to tow a caravan, it’s crucial to choose a vehicle capable of doing so safely.
To tow trailers, caravan owners have equipped their existing minivans or SUVs with additional trailer hitches. Some have opted for American pickup trucks imported through parallel imports, enduring the disadvantages of after-sales service and high costs.
However, such worries are now a thing of the past. GM’s large SUVs and pickup trucks come equipped with Trailer Sway Control technology.
Currently, the GM models that feature Trailer Sway Control include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Traverse, Colorado, and GMC Sierra. These models are integrated with the StabiliTrak Stability Control system, which helps prevent trailer sway that can occur at high speeds.
The tow/haul mode, used when towing heavy trailers or caravans, optimizes gear shift patterns, front and rear axle torque distribution, and throttle sensitivity depending on the towing situation to provide smooth vehicle operation. The hidden factory trailer hitch receiver and connector required for towing are included as standard equipment, enabling the Sierra to tow 3.9 tons, the Tahoe 3.4 tons, the Colorado 3.2 tons, and the Traverse 2.2 tons without any vehicle modifications.
Additionally, the heavy-duty cooling system, integrated trailer brake system that adjusts pressure based on trailer load, hitch assist guidelines, and hill start assist system, which helps ensure safe restarts on inclines, are among the numerous trailer-specific technologies designed to support safe and comfortable towing.
As the caravan and trailer market expands, it is anticipated that the popularity of large SUVs and pickup trucks equipped with towing technologies will increase. Despite being imported vehicles, GM’s towing models can conveniently utilize over 400 Chevrolet centers nationwide for easy vehicle maintenance. Recently, as American models have seen price increases, the prices of GM models have remained stable, making them a reasonable choice for caravan owners.
In line with this, Chevrolet will conduct a special promotion for towing models throughout July. Customers purchasing a Colorado, Tahoe, or Traverse can receive up to 6.91 million won through the combo program, and up to 5.41 million won in acquisition and registration tax support for those purchasing certain models in a lump sum. To minimize customer burden following the end of the individual consumption tax reduction, customers purchasing a Traverse or Tahoe will receive support of up to 1.37 million won. Business customers purchasing a Colorado will receive 1 million won in support.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr