GM has a new advanced trailer braking concept that has the potential to dramatically reduce stopping distances. It allows a truck and trailer to stop in the same distance as a truck by itself at its gross vehicle weight rating. This is done using existing components, including GM’s segment-exclusive eBoost braking system.

GM has eight available cameras with up to 15 different camera views when trailering, an industry-first trailer label that shows exactly what weight that specific truck can tow, and iN-Command from ASA Electronics compatibility available on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty and heavy-duty models.

Utilizing the truck’s eBoost braking system, GM engineers integrated a trailer with a similar eBoost system and upgraded hardware components such as brake rotors, calipers and tires. With eBoost systems on both the truck and trailer and proper software to enable communication, the stopping distance of a truck and trailer improved by up to 20% from 60 mph to zero when compared to an identical truck and trailer using traditional electric trailer brakes.

This technology allows the truck to command trailer braking like never before, using the existing seven-pin trailer wire connector and without the need for any extra connections. The advanced trailer braking also helps mitigate trailer sway by using stability control.

GM continues to partner with organizations such as North America Trailer Manufacturers and Recreational Vehicle Industry Association on making trailering more confident for everyone, and GM is committed to setting a new industry standard that will enable technologies like this in the future as it works towards its vision of zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion.