There is one clear trend happening in overlanding: Payload is king, and the king maker is the full-size truck. Travelers are tired of bend frames on mid-size trucks and 12 mpg out of overtaxed V6s. There is one magic pill to solve the problem- a heavy duty full-size truck. Between a light-duty mid-size truck and an 3/4 or 1 ton truck, there is no comparison, as the HD is designed for abusive commercial work requirements, often pulling and hauling well beyond the vehicles rated capacities. These trucks are oversized at every component, with 12 inch ring rears and axle shafts the size of tree trunks. The frames are engineered for impossible loads, these trucks often attaching goose neck trailers with 18,000+ pounds of tractors, car haulers, and fifth wheels the size of my house. Mid-size trucks can never match the ultimate durability and reserve capacity of an HD.
GMC gets it, and even hooked up one of the best overland trailers on the market, the XPlore X195 for their photo shoot.
The HD market has responded to this increased overlander demand by releasing model after model with increased off-highway capability, fitting lockers, winches, and oversized tires to all of the popular models. Now it is GMC’s turn, and they delivered the overland wish list. We were in attendance at the first drive of the new AT4x Canyon, and the GMC team had a special surprise, unveiling both the AT4x and the AT4x AEV models. They rolled out on the grass to a warm reception, with journalists crawling over, under, and around them. We took the time to do a deep dive while we had access to the vehicles and document the upgrades in the attached video, along with the images and captions to follow.
GMC Sierra HD 2500 AT4x AEV Specifications:
- Front AEV stamped steel bumper with GVWR recovery points and integrated Come Up winch
- 1.5″ suspension lift over the standard Sierra HD
- Model specific front lower and upper control arms and stronger steering knuckles
- Multimatic DSSV reservoir dampers with spool valve technology
- Front heavy duty skid plate and larger steel transfer case skid plate
- 35-inch Goodyear Territory tires (hybrid tread pattern)
- Rear driver-selectable electronic locking differential
- Front and rear advanced traction control
- Multiple drive modes
- 18 inch AEV Salta wheels
- Rear AEV stamped steel bumper with two GVWR rated recovery points
- Available 18,500 pound tow rating
- Available 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel with 975 lb-ft of torque
- 10-speed Allison automatic
The skid plate package on the AEV model is significant, running from the front bumper, over the steering gear, and back to the transfer case. All steel, and ready for the trail.
The AEV front bumper is a foundational piece, providing improved clearance, replaceable corners, nodular iron GVWR recovery points (which function as skidding ramps for ledges), fog lamps, and the provision for a Come Up 12,000 pound winch. The details abound, like the extended free spool handle, which is accessible just below the grill. Further inspection also revealed that the top of the bumper is covered by a plastic insert, which would be easily removed, and provide improved access to the winch line.
The Multimatic DSSV dampers are best-in-class for the HD segment, providing the impossible balance of highway comfort and improved control on the trail. The shocks also resist fade better than most dampers on the market due to the spool valve bypass journals and increased fluid volume from the reservoir.
The rear bumper is equally impressive, with reinforced corners and two GVWR recovery points. Where the bumper wraps around the quarter panel, the lower radius is strengthened significantly, acting much like a rock slider and resisting all but the most serious impacts. It looked like the exhaust could easily be made a side exit to improve departure angles even more.
Tires and wheels serve at the cornerstone of a good FWD, and GMC went the distance to ensure a 35 inch tire came with the package. These Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs are more of a hybrid tire pattern, which we prefer. They are mounted on AEV Salta 18″ wheels, which are both strong and a handsome compliment to the truck. Based on my impromptu measurements, a 37 inch tire should fit without much effort or additional lift.
A standard AT4x was also revealed at the event, which shows the differences to the AEV model. This variant also receives a rear locker, 1.5″ lift, Mulimatic shocks, 35″ tires, and improved bumpers and skid plates.
GMC.com | Price TBD
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