The Chevrolet Traverse was/is a SUV that is labeled as a mid sized vehicle and it also has some towing capacity numbers attached to it that really surprised me. I have included charts I found in owner's manuals and other related information on Chevy Tranverses made from 2009-2020. Hope it helps!
Overview of the Data For the Chevy Traverse:
Towing Package: Having a tow package installed for the Traverse was the single most important factor to consider when it came to trailer weight rating numbers, in general. It was really the only thing that affected the capacities at all!
It made a huge amount of difference, when you looked at the numbers and compared them together, you can see that it gave you an additional 3,200-3,500 lbs. of overall capacity, over models that did not have the additional package installed!
Towing Capacity: From 2009-2020, the maximum trailer weight ratings for the Chevy Traverses stayed "somewhat" close in range but for model years 2018-2020 it did decline from previous model years specs.
The 2018-2020 models that had a tow package installed had specs that were 200 pounds lower than the 2009-2017 models and 500 pounds less for models that did not have one of these packages installed.
Look in your specific model year's manual to see what assumed calculations are mentioned for the weight ratings given.
For example, the image is from the 2019 Traverse manual and it states that a driver and passenger are included in the maximum trailer weight rating but does not state how much each passenger weighs.
Chevy recommends using trailer brakes for trailers that weigh over 1,000 pounds when hauling anything with the Traverse.
2018-2020 Models:
The 2018-2020 Chevy Traverse's had a maximum towing capacity that ranged from 1,500 pounds and went up to a much higher 5,000 pound capacity if you had the V92 trailering package installed.
The specs weren't really a range but either a 1,500 lb. or 5,000 lb. capacity, the lesser rating was reserved for models that did not have one of these packages installed.
The charts I found in the owner's manuals were identical for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 models but the GCWR's were a bit different in 2018 and 2019 compared to the 2020 models and is why I included the two charts below.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse Towing Chart
2018 & 2019 Chevrolet Traverse Towing Chart
2009-2017 Models:
For Chevy Traverse's made between 2009-2017, the overall specs and the GCWRs were the same over that entire time frame and is why only one chart is posted for all of the 2009-2017 models.
The towing capacity ranged between 2,000 pounds and 5,200 pounds for the 2009-2017 model year Traverses.
Again, the "range" was not really a range but an "either/or" scenario, if you did not have a towing package installed, then you could haul up to 2,000 lbs. and if you had one of these packages installed, then you could pull that higher 5,200 lb. capacity.
2017 Chevrolet Traverse Towing Chart
Do I Have An Optional V92 Package Installed?
I looked around at different websites and in the owner's manuals and found a few things related to the towing package, more specifically how to identify if your Traverse has one equipped.
I did find a brochure for a 2019 Traverse that stated that only certain models even had the option of having one of these packages installed, as you can see in the image below. The L and LS models did not have the option of the V92 package, but it was available for other models and came standard on the High Country models.
*** This was an example for the 2019 model and may not apply to other model years, you have to check for yourself to see if the information is different.
How To Identify A Tow Package: Finding a way to visually inspect to see if you had a one of these packages installed was a harder topic to find. Some people suggested looking in the glove box to see if you had a code "V92" that would indicate that you do have the package installed, but I am not sure if this is a valid way for every model year.
Of course, taking it in to a dealer would be your best bet and always the "recommended advice" that you hear but is inconvenient for most people. If I find out more, I will post updates as soon as possible.
Resources For The Chevrolet Traverse:
Here are quick reference links to the 2009-2020 Chevy Traverse owner's manuals that I used to gather the specs for all of the model years. Feel free to browse through them yourself, as there is other pertinent information you should know about and read for yourself.
Last updated on August 3rd, 2022 at 10:17 pm
