How Much Can The GMC Acadia Really Tow?

​The GMC Acadia’s are pretty popular SUVs nowadays and I was really surprised to find out how much they can actually tow. When I was doing a little bit of preliminary research though, I found that some of the information online was a little bit vague and didn’t really go into specifics as far as what model had the lower towing capacity and which models have the higher towing capacities.

​In this article I break down all of the information regarding towing capacities for the GMC Acadia in a very easy-to-read indigestible format that I think can help answer some of those questions I had myself when doing the research initially.

Overview of the Data For the ​​Make/Model:

Engine Choices: ​​​​​From 2007-2019 the GMC ​Acadia​’s have only had two different engine configurations throughout their entire life and these were the 2.5 L engine and the 3.6 L engine. The 2.5 L engine was only introduced in 2017 and used from ​that point on, whereas the 3.6 L engine was used prior to 2017 and was the only engine available, in fact.

The towing capacities for the GMC Acadia’s were directly affected by the different engine configurations but the capacities were also different from 2007-2016, even though the same 3.6 L engine ​was used throughout that time frame.

​Configurations: ​​​For the most part, there was only two different configurations that were offered for the Acadia’s and these were either a front wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle. It did not seem to make any difference as far as towing capacities were concerned which configuration you had, as the optional towing package was the determining factor in most cases for the added towing capacity.

Towing Capacity: ​​​The Acadia’s had a pretty wide towing capacity range over the years that ranged from ​1,000 pounds, all the way up to 5,200 pounds! The common factor that I found with the maximum towing capacities for the Acadia’s was that there was only one or two towing capacities for each model year and not really a range.

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​It is important to note that most of the towing charts for the Acadia were identical for certain years so I only posted one chart that would apply to many different years, in some cases.

2017-2019 ​Models:

​The towing capacity limits for the 2017-2019 GMC Acadias was either 1,000 lbs. or 4,000 lbs. and there was no range in between.

There were two different engine configurations for the Acadia’s made during these years and these were either a 2.5L or 3.6L engine.

​The 2.5L and 3.6L engines that did not have the V92 trailering package installed had the lower tow rating of 1,000 lbs. Models with the 3.6L engine that had the trailering package installed had the higher 4,000 lb. capacity.

It seems that the 2.5L engine was not offered with the trailering package, so it was only the lower capacity rating for models equipped with the 2.5L engine.

2010-2016 ​Models:

​The towing charts for the 2010-2016 Acadia’s stated specs for FWD and AWD models that either “were” or “were not” equipped with the V92 trailering package and didn’t use an engine size.

This is probably because the engine was the same one, a 3.6L configuration.

​The towing capacity for GMC Acadia’s made from 2010-2016 was rated for either 2,000 lbs. or 5,200 lbs., depending on whether or not you had the V92 trailering package installed.

If you did not have the package installed, then the lower 2,000 lb. rating was your limit and if you had the trailering package installed, then your Arcadia was capable of pulling up to 5,200 lbs.

The specs were the same for FWD and AWD models, the only determining factor when it came to capacities was whether the towing package was installed or not.

2008-2009 ​Models:

​The 2008 to 2009 GMC Acadia’s ​had a very similar towing chart to the 2000-2016 models, ​in the fact that they used front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models without any engine configurations mentioned but the towing capacities were a little bit different.

​The towing capacity for the 2008-2009 GMC Acadia’s were either 2,000 pounds or 4,500 pounds, depending on whether you had that ​V92 trailer towing package installed. Models that had the trailer package installed were capable of the higher 4,500 pound limit and models that did not have the package installed had the lower 2,000 pound capacity.

200​7 ​Models:

​The 2007 GMC Acadia’s had a maximum trailer weight limit of around 4500 pounds, regardless of whether the vehicle was a front wheel drive or all-wheel drive model. This made the towing specs for the 2007 models very easy to figure out compared to other years.

​When looking through the 2007 Acadia’s owner’s manual, I did not find anywhere where it stated that you need a trailer towing package to achieve the specified wait capacities, like the other model years stated.

​Do I Have ​The V92 Towing Package Installed?

​Some of the towing charts for the GMC Acadia stated that the larger towing capacity was achievable if the V92 trailering package was installed and I thought to myself, well what is it and how do I know if it is installed?

What is the V92 Trailering Package: According to ​GMC’s 2019 Trailering Guide, the V92 trailering package should include a 7 pin connector (for connecting lights), a hitch and a heavy duty cooling system. The below statement is how GMC worded it…

​Requires V6 engine and Trailering Package (V92), which includes a factory-installed trailer hitch platform, seven-pin wiring harness and a heavy-duty cooling system.

When they state that a heavy duty cooling system is used, they are not specific on what exactly this is but other manufacturers have used larger water pumps and radiators, a transmission cooler, etc. and I assume it is along those lines.

​How do I know if I have the V92 Trailering Package installed: This was a hard question to answer and there was not a “crystal clear” answer I found, which is common for many manufacturers.

There is a lot of information out there on different forums that really help in the research process but ​taking the car into a dealer is probably your best bet. If I get any more information, I will post it ASAP.

​Resources I Used For ​The GMC Acadia:

​Below are the owner’s manuals for the GMC Acadia and I always like to list “my resources” for the information I gathered, so others can check out the specs for themselves. It also has other important towing related info related to the Acadia that might come in handy.

• 2020 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2019 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2018 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2017 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2016 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2015 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2014 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2013 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2012 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2011 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2010 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2009 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2008 ​Owner’s Manual
• 2007 ​Owner’s Manual