Five years after the F-150 gained it, the 2022 Silverado will add Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert.
Follow the Leader
The Ford F-150 has long dominated the light-duty truck market, despite Chevy and Ram's best efforts to topple it. That doesn't figure to change when the all-new 2021 F-150 bows this fall, either. So you can't blame the competition for stealing ideas from the king of the hill, and that's exactly what's getting ready to happen when the 2022 Silverado hits the market next year.
Photos: Chevrolet
"New" Feature
According to GM-Trucks, that feature is Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and will be available as an option on 2022 model year Silverado and Sierra pickups. Interestingly enough, this feature is already present on the all-new 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, and the forthcoming Cadillac Escalade.
Photos: Chevrolet
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Different Name, Same Feature
However, this option has been available on the Ford F-150 since 2017, so it certainly isn't "new." According to the report, GM will call it Extended Side Blind Zone Alert, so as to differentiate it from The Blue Oval's designation, but it's essentially the same thing.
Photos: Ford
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Another Delay
The system apparently won't be ready in time for the 2021 Silverado and Sierra mid-cycle refresh, and will likely come along later as a mid-year update. We can blame that delay on the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed back many a new/refreshed model, as well as the development of several new features and packages.
Photos: Chevrolet
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Blind Spot Warnings
As for how the new feature works, it's essentially designed to inform the driver if another vehicle is close to their trailer or in the driver's blind spot. The warning shows up in the truck's side mirrors, much like most regular blind-spot warning systems work.
Photos: Ford
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Accident Avoidance
This is obviously a very useful function that goes a long way in avoiding accidents, which can be much worse when you throw a trailer in the mix. Particularly if the driver is attempting to change lanes and can't see that there's a vehicle near the trailer they're towing.
Photos: Chevrolet
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Playing Catch Up
Unfortunately for Chevy owners, they've had to wait quite a few years before GM will finally give them this seemingly no-brainer option. But they've been playing catch up for a long time now, so that shouldn't really come as a surprise.
Photos: Chevrolet
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