# GMC Sierra AT4 First Drive on Otay Mountain Truck Trail *By James Hills — Updated January 2019* There's a lot of options in the market for off road-trucks right now but most focus on ulta-ruggedness, while others are honestly more of an appearance package than anything else. With the launch of the GMC Sierra AT4 though, there's a new option for those that want to spend time trail riding in comfort and style, but still have great capability including a 2" lift, off-road tuned Rancho shocks, locking rear differential, skid plates, and more. To test test it out, GMC invited us to join them on a trail ride in San Diego and we had a blast. Our ride took us to two different areas. The first was Otay Mesa Truck Trail, a popular local spot that is maintained by the US Customs and Border Patrol and from 3,566' has a fantastic view of the Mexican border as well as San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. We started by Engineer Springs and the South Bay Rod and Gun Club, but you can take the trail in either direction. Though watch out for Border Patrol trucks and be prepared to back down to a spot where two trucks can pass. ### From Carnival to Norwegian: Cruise Hacks We Love That Cruise Lines Keep Trying to Ban Cruise hacks for power strips, radios, door decorations, and more - plus which lines allow them and which don't. Real tips from 30+ cruises on Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney. CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/aByV5xOshhxDcGznXV1sYg.436) ### What To Expect on Your First Viking River Cruise Here's what to expect on your first Viking River cruise through Europe including a personal experience exploring Christmas Markets along the Rhine. 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However, it's a lot of fun with great views consisting mostly of shelf roads with steep drops on one side and sharp rocks on the other. I've done it several times with smaller trucks, so it was an interesting experience in a truck as large as the [Sierra AT4](https://www.gmc.com/trucks/choose-your-sierra-1500-pickup-truck). However, just as I've found it very maneuverable in urban locations, the Sierra AT4 performed well here too.  One of the things I absolutely love about this truck is that it features tons of electronics to help you navigate space with precision. ## Man Gear Pick of the Month September's Pick Amazon (affiliate) ### Kenyon City Grill Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill Why we picked it: a grill you can actually carry to the campsite, the tailgate or the cabin without borrowing a truck. Stainless, no propane tank to wrestle, and hot enough to cook for four guys rather than reheat for one. 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With the inclusion of 15 different camera modes it also allowed us to navigate some tight spots where recent rains had left ruts in the trail. No matter how you slice it, this is a big vehicle and without electronic helpers like that, you'd otherwise have to get out and have a spotter help. Otherwise, we'd have no idea how deep a rut is or how far a rock is sticking out into the trail. That made it a much easier experience than I would have otherwise expected. Similarly, while this truck is really more designed for crawling off road - it performed very well in terms of stability and comfort when speeding up the smoother parts of this trail. While there were loose spots with sand and gravel we managed corners easily and the Rancho shocks took the brunt of the impact on rough spots on the road. At the top of the trail we took a break for water and to stretch our legs a bit while getting a chance to check out the MultiPro Tailgate that is now standard on AT4 and Denali Sierra models for 2019. There are a couple different configurations here but when deployed as you see above, it has a set of speakers to enjoy some tunes, a step to make it super easy to access the bed. Plus, despite the lift, the side walls of the bed are at a great height to hang your shoulder. Even without the MultiPro Tailgate deployed though, the bumper corner step makes for a great toe hold as well as an easy step up into the bed to grab your gear.  Back on the road, it was time to head over to the course that GMC had set up for us to have a bit of fun driving over obstacles and challenging terrain. During this time on road, it gave us a chance to appreciate the on-road performance of the truck. For instance, I'm absolutely in love with the Rear Camera Mirror since it makes the view of what's behind you much easier than a mirror that might be obstructed by rear passengers and payload. The Sierra AT4 also features a full suite of safety features including: Surround Vision, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking.  Throughout the experience, the Sierra AT4 impressed me with all the stuff I enjoyed about the Denali but tweaked to make it better suited for off-road performance. Multiple engine options are available, including the standard 5.3L V-8 engine as well as the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 that we tested it with. The 6.2L engine features 420 hp at 5600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm and is paired with a 10-speed automatic. Fuel economy is rated at 15/20 and towing is an impressive 9,600 pounds (vs 9,600 on Denali and 12,200 on other Sierra trims). Unlike some off road trucks that sacrifice towing ability for off-road performance, GMC is focused on towing. We'll be talking a bit more about that in our review of the Sierra Denali coming soon. Overall, we were very impressed by the [2019 Sierra At4](https://www.gmc.com/trucks/choose-your-sierra-1500-pickup-truck). It's a great truck that offers comfort, style, and confidence when going off road. However, we wish the interior was more modern, specifically with a larger infotainment display to match the otherwise great technology in the truck. Despite that, the Sierra AT4 one that we'd be very happy to have in our garage.  The 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 starts $50,800 and the version we drove was priced at Top Picks Flow Voyages ### Book your next cruise with Heather at Flow Voyages Flow Voyages is a travel advisor specializing in cruises and resorts. [Contact Flow Voyages](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/IfMJl46Vl6rtmcYpAQwkQQ.617) Promoted by FlowAds Details Written by: James Hills Published: 27 January 2019 Last Updated: 27 January 2019 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Which Style Of Amazon Cruise Should You Pick To Explore World's Largest River? 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