I Had an Adventure This Weekend Towing My 3,500 Pound Boat 116 Miles Round Trip with My GMC Sierra EV

Lord knows I like a good story about electric trucks doing real-world “truck stuff.” Here’s another impressive one about a GMC Sierra EV successfully towing a 3,500-pound boat during a weekend trip. What’s really cool is that one of the boats shown is a beautiful electrified version of an American classic. 

David Kuperberg posted the following on the GMC Sierra EV Facebook Group:

“Towed my boat (~3,500 lbs) from my house in Morris county, NJ to the Leonardo State Ramp.  Had the wife and kid on board too.  It was my first time towing with this truck. 

Truck handled everything great.  Started the day with a 100% charge.  Range started at ~230 miles in tow mode and got even higher as we drove down thru the mountains where we live.  Once we got to the highways, I super cruised it from 280 down the Garden State Parkway.  Got to the boat ramp about 54 miles away and still had an 81% SOC (state of charge) left with a 203-mile range. 

Boated down the Navesink and back with a stop for lunch and towed home super cruising through the stop-and-go traffic.  By the time I got home I drove a total of 116 miles at 1.3 miles per kWh.  I had 54% SOC which translated into 209 miles in normal mode once I disconnected the trailer.

The best part for me was that this ramp is probably the furthest I will ever tow my boat and I didn’t even have to stop to recharge at all.  This was my biggest hold up about getting an EV truck vs an ICE truck and I’m glad to see the reviews of the Sierra were not exaggerating the capabilities of this thing.”

Erick Pinzon responded with the following and a picture of his Ford F-150 Lightning towing a beautiful electric boat made by Chris Craft. 

“Thats awesome! When you are ready for a replacement boat be sure to consider electric!”

Electric Trucks and Growing Towing Expectations

Electric vehicles started with small hatchbacks and premium sedans, which were not known for their towing ability. Today’s rapid rise of electric SUVs and pickup trucks like the GMC Sierra EV has changed the conversation. These new models are entering a market long dominated by gas-powered workhorses. To be taken seriously, electric trucks need real towing and hauling capabilities, not just futuristic looks or fast acceleration.

Towing and Payload Basics

Towing capacity refers to how much weight a vehicle can pull behind it, while payload capacity measures how much weight it can carry inside or on the vehicle itself. Trucks designed for towing often have upgraded cooling systems to handle the extra stress on the powertrain. Pickup trucks also feature stronger frames and suspension systems to increase payload capacity, especially in the bed.

Torque Advantages of Electric Powertrains

One of the biggest performance advantages for EVs is instant torque. Unlike gas engines that build power gradually, electric motors deliver full torque from the moment you press the accelerator. This is especially helpful when towing because it allows for quicker acceleration, both from a stop and at speed. This makes electric trucks surprisingly capable when pulling heavy loads.

Efficiency Trade-Offs While Towing

The downside comes with energy efficiency. Towing adds significant weight and often compromises aerodynamics, both of which are major factors in how far an EV can travel on a single charge. Real-world tests have confirmed that towing heavy trailers can cut EV range by as much as 40 percent. For example, the Rivian R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds, but that kind of load can dramatically reduce range. The Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV also boast impressive tow ratings of around 10,000 pounds, but all suffer similar range losses when towing.

Payload Limitations Compared to Gas Trucks

Electric trucks lag behind their gas-powered counterparts in payload capacity. The F-150 Lightning, for instance, offers a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds with the standard battery, while its gas-powered cousin can carry up to 3,325 pounds. The Ford Super Duty lineup takes that even further, with some models hauling up to 7,850 pounds. Much of this limitation comes from the weight of EV battery packs. The Hummer EV’s battery, for example, weighs nearly as much as an entire Mazda Miata, which eats into the truck’s overall payload allowance.

Extended Range Solutions

Some manufacturers are turning to extended-range electric vehicles as a workaround for the nearterm. These vehicles include a small gasoline engine that acts solely as a generator to recharge the battery when needed. It does not power the wheels directly. The upcoming Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a modern take on this idea, claiming up to 700 miles of total range when both the battery and fuel tank are full. That could allow a range of approximately 350 miles even while towing a heavy trailer, providing a more practical solution for longer hauls.

Bottom Line

Electric trucks are making big strides in towing and hauling, but they still have some trade-offs in range and payload. Their instant torque gives them strong towing performance, but battery weight and aerodynamic drag limit efficiency. They are well suited for towing over intermediate distances. For long-distance towing, their range can drop sharply due to the added weight and drag, requiring frequent recharging. Until charging networks become more robust and battery technology improves, gas or extended-range hybrids remain more practical for long hauls. As the segment grows, understanding these strengths and limitations will be key for anyone considering an electric pickup.

Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below

Would you feel confident towing your boat or trailer with an electric truck today?

Would you ever consider an electric boat to go with your electric truck?

Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, "The Arrival of The Electric Car." His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.