Wilcoxson GMC – Hands-Free Trailering for US-50 Hauls — GMC vs Ford near La Junta, CO
When you live near La Junta, CO, towing is rarely a once-a-year event — it is a way of life across US-50, CO-10, and the gravel county roads that connect ranch gates, job sites, and weekend camping spots. At Wilcoxson GMC, we meet shoppers who are cross-shopping GMC and Ford because both brands offer capable trucks and SUVs. This blog focuses on a specific concern we hear often from Southeast Colorado drivers: How do the brands compare for fatigue-reducing, confidence-building trailering on long, windy stretches where crosswinds from the Arkansas River valley and open grassland can make hours behind the wheel feel longer than the odometer suggests?
To serve that one use case well, you need more than horsepower. You need smart driver assistance that still works when a trailer is hooked up, hitching tools that simplify the handoff when different family members share towing duty, and visibility systems that help at La Junta feed stores, Bent’s Old Fort turnouts, or tight alleys in Rocky Ford. GMC has leaned into those needs across its lineup with available Super Cruise®, ProGrade® Trailering System, and up to 15 available camera views on heavy-duty models — and that combination is why many of our guests ultimately choose GMC over Ford after a thorough drive.
Before we dive deeper, an important note: features vary by model and trim on both brands, and some systems require specific packages or trailers to function. Our team is happy to decode the details for your exact SUV or truck and the trailers you use most.
Hands-free confidence can make or break a long US-50 day. GMC offers available Super Cruise® on select models, and importantly, the system supports hands-free driving even while trailering on compatible roads — a major benefit when the miles from Pueblo to La Junta stack up and you want help managing steady-lane cruising. Ford’s BlueCruise offers hands-free capability on pre-qualified highways, but Ford does not currently enable BlueCruise when a trailer is connected on most configurations. That single difference often matters most to families who share towing on the same day: GMC can reduce fatigue for both drivers, not just the one who does the “no-trailer” leg.
Visibility is the next big separator in Southeast Colorado, where an unexpected crosswind gust or a last-second turn into a side street can challenge even experienced drivers. GMC’s available ProGrade® Trailering System brings up to 15 available camera views on Sierra Heavy Duty and up to 14 on Sierra 1500, including Transparent Trailer View for select conventional setups and, on compatible HD configurations, a solution designed to aid visibility with certain gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. Ford counters with helpful tools like Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and smart camera angles, and those can be excellent in driveways or when solo. When wind and long hours enter the picture, our customers tell us the breadth of GMC’s camera coverage — especially side and inside-trailer options — feels like a true difference-maker.
To make the comparison concrete for La Junta roads, here are the trailering technologies our customers ask about most when weighing GMC against Ford in real-world scenarios.
- Hands-free highway help: GMC Super Cruise® is available on select models and supports hands-free driving while trailering on compatible roads; Ford BlueCruise offers hands-free driving on pre-qualified highways but typically disables with a trailer connected.
- Hitching alignment: GMC Hitch Guidance with Hitch View provides on-screen guidelines and a zoomed camera to help you line up; Ford Pro Trailer Hitch Assist can automatically steer and control speed to back up to a conventional trailer coupler.
- Backup confidence: GMC available Trailer Angle Indicator and Jack-Knife Alert display helpful guidance as you reverse; Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist uses a rotary knob and camera input to aid backing maneuvers.
- Expanded visibility: GMC offers up to 15 available camera views on HD models, including Transparent Trailer View for select setups; Ford provides multiple trailer-focused camera views and hook-up aids across key models.
- Sway and stability: GMC integrates Trailer Sway Control with StabiliTrak and offers Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert on many configurations; Ford delivers Trailer Sway Control and Blind Spot coverage that can extend to trailers when properly configured.
- Trailering checklists and profiles: GMC ProGrade® Trailering System stores multiple trailer profiles with maintenance reminders and pre-departure checklists; Ford Smart Trailer Tow features offer helpful status readouts and connection checks.
Ride and control matter just as much as technology when gusts funnel across the Comanche National Grassland. GMC pairs capability with composure by offering features such as available adaptive dampers like Magnetic Ride Control on certain SUVs and Trucks, Auto Electric Parking Brake Assist that can hold you steady on boat ramps, and robust integrated trailer brake controllers. Ford counters with continuously controlled damping on select models and strong integrated controllers as well. On the road, the tuning difference is what many La Junta shoppers notice on a back-to-back drive — GMC often feels more settled when a crosswind hits the nose or the trailer gets tugged on a passing two-lane overtake near Manzanola.
Inside the cabin, long-haul comfort can reduce driver fatigue as much as any sensor. GMC’s Denali and Denali Ultimate cabins elevate materials, seat comfort, and calmness at highway speed. Many GMC models offer a crisp Head-Up Display to keep vital towing data in view, along with intuitive, trailer-aware camera toggles you can reach without diving through layers of menus. Ford’s upper trims such as Platinum and King Ranch are comfortable and well-equipped, and some models now offer a head-up display as well; however, our guests consistently praise the way GMC integrates towing info into the screens and the clarity of the available High Definition Surround Vision at low speeds around grain co-ops and school pickup lanes in La Junta.
Bed and cargo access can define the end of your day — especially when you are lifting a cooler or a bale after a windblown drive. GMC’s available MultiPro™ Tailgate provides multiple configurations including a primary gate, a load-stop, and a full-width step that eases climbs with muddy boots. Ford offers innovative tailgate solutions such as the available Pro Access Tailgate or integrated step options that are helpful in many situations. In our experience with local customers, the MultiPro™ Tailgate’s everyday versatility — especially the step and work surface — becomes a habit quickly, whether you are staging tie-downs at Holbrook Reservoir or unloading in a narrow alley in downtown La Junta.
Beyond towing, both brands bring selectable drive modes and specialized off-road trims. GMC’s AT4 and AT4X packages add ground clearance, off-road tuned hardware, and in some models advanced locking differentials for slow, controlled progress on rutted county roads after a storm. Ford’s Tremor and Raptor lines are strong performers in their own right. If you split time between gravel ranch lanes and highway miles with a trailer on the ball, GMC’s balance of off-road traction and straight-line towing stability stands out in our test routes from Pueblo to Las Animas and back.
For shoppers early in the search, here is a simple framework we use in-store to match brand strengths to daily needs around La Junta and the Lower Arkansas Valley.
- Define your towing reality: Note the types of trailers you use (bumper-pull, gooseneck, fifth-wheel), their typical weights, and whether multiple drivers will tow the same day.
- Map your roads: Consider crosswind exposure, two-lane passing zones, and any frequent gravel segments between home, work, and recreation.
- Prioritize fatigue reducers: Decide whether hands-free highway capability with a trailer, camera coverage, seat comfort, and a Head-Up Display are must-haves or nice-to-haves.
- Plan for tight places: Think about alleys, co-op lots, and angled farm gates where step-in bed access and surround views save time and strain.
- Test with your trailer: Whenever possible, bring your trailer so we can demonstrate features like ProGrade® Trailering System, Transparent Trailer View, and camera presets on a familiar route.
In short, Ford remains a worthy competitor with several clever tools, but for the very specific challenge of long, windy US-50 hauls where two drivers share towing duty and visibility is everything, GMC’s combination of Super Cruise® trailering support, deep camera coverage, and everyday usability features like the MultiPro™ Tailgate gives our customers an edge that they feel from the first mile to the last.
Our team at Wilcoxson GMC in Pueblo regularly works with La Junta, Rocky Ford, Las Animas, and Ordway drivers to configure trucks and SUVs for Southeast Colorado life. We will build your trailer profiles, walk you through the camera views, and send you on a drive that includes the kinds of roads you actually use. And when you choose us, our Wilcoxson Way approach means a straightforward, transparent experience backed by our service team and the Wilcoxson Lifetime Advantage Program for long-term peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does GMC Super Cruise® work while towing a trailer?
On select GMC models and compatible roads, Super Cruise® supports hands-free driving while trailering — a key benefit for long US-50 stretches near La Junta. Availability varies by model and equipment, so our team can confirm the exact configuration that fits your needs.
How many camera views does GMC offer for trailering?
Depending on the model and package, GMC offers up to 14 available camera views on Sierra 1500 and up to 15 on Sierra Heavy Duty, including helpful perspectives like Transparent Trailer View for select setups, Hitch View, Bed View, and side perspectives that enhance confidence in crosswinds and tight spaces.
What is the advantage of the MultiPro™ Tailgate for Southeast Colorado drivers?
The MultiPro™ Tailgate functions as a step, a load stop, and a work surface. Around La Junta, that means easier climbs with gear, more secure long cargo on windy days, and a useful workstation for straps, tools, or lunch breaks at the job site.
How does Ford compare on towing tech?
Ford offers strong solutions like Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and useful trailer status tools. However, Ford’s BlueCruise typically is not enabled when a trailer is attached, while select GMC models support hands-free trailering on compatible roads, which many La Junta drivers prioritize for reducing fatigue.
Which GMC models at Wilcoxson GMC are best for frequent towing near La Junta?
For heavy-duty hauling, Sierra HD models bring maximum camera coverage and robust towing systems. For mixed commuting and weekend trailering, Sierra 1500 and Yukon are popular because they blend comfort, available Super Cruise®, and ProGrade® Trailering features that simplify daily life.
Ready to compare GMC and Ford the right way — with your trailer, your roads, and your questions? Visit us at Wilcoxson GMC in Pueblo. We will set up a route that mirrors La Junta driving, demonstrate Super Cruise® and ProGrade® Trailering where applicable, and help you decide with clarity and confidence.
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