When Jesse Schneider pulled his Silverado EV into a rest stop in rural New Mexico, the truck still had 120 miles of range left—despite towing a 7,000-pound travel trailer across three states and two mountain ranges. Over 9,000 miles, through 21 U.S. states and seven national parks, the journey became more than a road trip—it was a real-world stress test proving that electric trucks can tow, but only if they’re built for it. The lesson? Battery size isn’t luxury; it’s necessity.
For years, critics dismissed GM’s massive battery strategy—170 kWh packs in trucks like the Hummer EV and Silverado EV—as overkill. But Schneider’s cross-country trek, towing a loaded inTech OVR Navigate trailer from New Mexico to the Outer Banks and back, shows why that capacity matters. On gas-powered rigs, towing saps fuel economy and strains engines, especially on inclines. Electric trucks, by contrast, deliver instant torque and seamless power delivery. "I’m glad we have a truck now that you just drive with the camper like normal," said Schneider’s son, who’d previously endured a 4,000-mile trip in a gas-powered Suburban. The difference was night and day.
The Silverado EV handled steep mountain passes, sudden windstorms, and long 400-mile stretches without mechanical complaint. Even without a weight distribution hitch—something the manual recommends at this load—the truck remained stable, its 7,000-pound curb weight anchoring the trailer through gale-force winds and sharp turns. But the real game-changer wasn’t just the drive—it was what happened when the truck stopped. With its PowerBase system delivering up to 10.2 kW of offboard power, the Silverado became a silent generator, running air conditioning, lights, and appliances without a single hookup. For nights on remote beaches or truck stops, the 170 kWh battery meant comfort without compromise.
Yet the trip also exposed a hard truth: smaller EVs with 100–130 kWh batteries simply can’t keep up. While the Silverado managed long hauls with confidence, Schneider noted that anything less would have required constant range anxiety and charging detours. The infrastructure exists along major corridors, but only a large battery provides the buffer needed for real-world towing.
This isn’t just about one truck or one trip. It’s a blueprint for the future of electric RVing—where capability meets freedom. As more Americans explore the outdoors, the Silverado EV proves that electric towing isn’t a dream. It’s here, as long as the battery is big enough.