Why towing matters in Eastern NC
Eastern North Carolina offers wide open rural roads and highways along with wonderful areas for outdoor recreation activities like fishing, kayaking, boating, and ATV off-roading. Whether you are pulling a trailer for a lawn care business or heading out for a weekend getaway, trailering can be a major part of life in Eastern North Carolina.
What to consider before buying a towing vehicle
There are several factors you will want to consider before buying a towing vehicle. These factors, while simple, can drastically change your trailering needs. It is important for Goldsboro drivers to keep in mind:
- Payload
- Towing capacity
- Trailer brake control
- Fuel economy
Payload refers to the total weight your vehicle can safely carry, including passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight of your trailer. While payload differs from towing capacity, it is often the limiting factor in determining how much weight you can safely tow.
Not all trailers are created equally. A small trailer that hauls lawn equipment or small recreational vehicles is going to be fairly simple. These trailers are typically simple platforms with wheels that connect to your vehicle’s tow hitch and allow you to pull cargo down the road. However, some larger trailers feature their own brakes which are controlled from inside your vehicle via the trailer brake controller. This allows you to determine how much extra braking is applied by the trailer’s brakes when you are actively coming to a stop.
Fuel economy is often overlooked when buyers consider a vehicle for towing in North Carolina. There are situations in which a vehicle has multiple engine options, or there are multiple vehicle options that will safely tow the amount of weight you need. If a more fuel-efficient engine provides the towing capacity you need, it is worth considering since it can help reduce long-term ownership costs.
Whether you are towing a fishing boat to the coast, hauling a camper for a weekend trip, or pulling a utility trailer for work, choosing the right vehicle is important for both safety and performance.
Best GMC Trucks for Towing in North Carolina
GMC has a solid lineup of trucks with a wide range of towing capacities such as:
The midsize Canyon delivers impressive capability for drivers who need a smaller truck with strong towing performance. With a maximum trailering capacity of 7,700 lbs when properly equipped, the GMC Canyon is a strong competitor for midsize truck buyers. If you find yourself needing a bit more than the Canyon then you can always step up to the Sierra 1500. This full-size truck offers towing capacities up to 13,300 lbs when properly equipped. Still need more capability? GMC has you covered with the Sierra HD lineup. When properly equipped, the Sierra HD 2500 can tow up to 22,390 lbs, while the Sierra HD 3500 can tow up to 36,000 lbs.
Best SUVs for Towing in North Carolina
If your trailering needs are not as heavy-duty, and you need a vehicle more suited to family life, you may want to consider:
The Enclave, while providing a quiet and comfortable ride on longer drives also offers a maximum trailering capacity of 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. If you need more cargo space, and more trailering capability then the Yukon is there for you with up to 8,400 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped.
Best North Carolina Destinations for Camping, Boating, & Towing
Eastern North Carolina offers so many great places for Goldsboro drivers who are looking for that weekend getaway to test out that GMC towing capacity. These are just a few spots that we personally think are some of the best.
- Outer Banks
Approximately 200 miles (~3.5 hours) from Goldsboro, the Outer Banks offers beaches, watersports, hang gliding, fishing, biking, birding and beyond. - Jordan Lake
Approximately 75 miles (~1.25 hours) from Goldsboro, Jordan Lake offers recreational opportunities for camping, boating, and swimming. - Wilmington
Approximately 93 miles (~1.5 hours) from Goldsboro, Wilmington offers beaches, watersports, fishing, and biking, nature trails, and waterfront activities.
Tips for First-Time Towing
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are trailering for the first time. (If you are trailering with several vehicles in the GMC lineup you can access a trailering checklist within the infotainment system when your trailer and lights are connected to the truck) Before you set off on your journey you will want to check before leaving:
- Coupler & ball
- Safety chains
- Jack & chocks
- Wiring harness
- Trailer lights
- Mirror adjustment
- Tire pressure
- Lug nuts
- Weight distribution
- Securing loose items
Once you have checked everything and are ready to depart after around 10-15 miles you are going to want to pull over in a safe location and recheck everything to make sure everything is still secure. You may even want to feel the trailer wheel hubs to make sure they are not overheating.
Keep in mind, pulling a trailer means that you will need to take wider turns than when you are just driving your vehicle alone. Failing to do so can cause your trailer to cut the corner and hit curbs or signage.
Your brakes will be stopping more than just your vehicle now that you have a trailer attached. Be sure to increase your following distance significantly from your normal following distance as it will take much longer to come to a complete stop.
Shop towing-ready vehicles in Goldsboro
Whether you need a truck for work, boating, camping, or weekend adventures across Eastern North Carolina, our team can help you find the right towing-ready vehicle for your lifestyle. Browse our inventory online or visit us here in Goldsboro to test drive a GMC truck or SUV today. You can also contact our team for help comparing towing capacities, payload ratings, and trailering technology across the Buick and GMC lineup.
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