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 capacity and which models have the higher 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 GMC Acadia:
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 tow 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 capacities were concerned which configuration you had, as the optional tow package was the determining factor in most cases for any of the added weight 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 tow capacities for the Acadia's was that there was only one or two specified weights for each model year and not really a range.
Here is a breakdown of how each model year preformed for those of you out there that like the specifics...
2021 Acadia towing capacity: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
2020 Acadia towing capacity: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
2019 Acadia towing capacity: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
2018 Acadia towing capacity: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
2017 Acadia towing capacity: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
2016 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2015 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2014 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2013 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2012 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2011 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2010 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 5,200 lbs.
2009 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 4,500 lbs.
2008 Acadia towing capacity: 2,000 to 4,500 lbs.
2007 Acadia towing capacity: 4,500 lbs.
It is important to note that most of the trailering charts for the Acadia's were identical for certain years so I only posted one chart that would apply to many different years, in some cases.
2021 & 2020 Models:
For 2021 and 2020 model years, we can see that the GMC Acadia's had three different engine options: the 2.0l, 2.5l and the 3.6l engines.
With these three different engine options, there were also three different weight specs listed: 1,000 lbs., 1,500 lbs. and 4,000 lbs.
All-in-all, the 2021 and 2020 had the same overall limits that the 2019-2017 models had but with the addition of the 2.0l engine, we also saw another weight listed between the 1,000 and 4,000 pound range.
2017-2019 Models:
The trailer 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 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 tow package was installed or not.
2008-2009 Models:
The 2008 to 2009 GMC Acadia's had a very similar 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 overall 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 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.
2007 Models:
The 2007 GMC Acadia's had a maximum capacity of around 4500 pounds, regardless of whether the vehicle was a front wheel drive or all-wheel drive model.
This made the hauling 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 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.
Other Helpful Information...
It is important to read through the owner's manual to get a feel for all of GM's recommendations when hauling with the Acadia. There is lots of good information regarding trailer brake setups, warranty info, tongue weight specs and more.
Tongue Weight:
The basic calculation for maximum tongue weight is usually around 10-15% of the total trailer weight specs and is what the "industry standard" is usually set at by many different auto manufacturers.
Tongue Weight Chart
For example, if we look at a 2019 chart, we can see that the two max. weight limits for the Acadia's is set at 1,000 lbs. and 4,000 lbs. The max. tongue weight rating for the 1,000 lb. spec would be 100 pounds and the limit for the 4,000 lb. spec would be 400 lbs. This would be a 10% limit for the max. weight on the tongue itself, which is what is recommended in the owner's manual.
I was also able to find another image that states the 10-15% metric for maximum tongue weight limits. In the example, GM states that some trailers may not fit in this range and I assume they meant a greater weight than the specified recommendations and they then state that referring to the trailer manufacturer's manual for their recommendations.
If anything is unclear, or you are unsure about tongue weight limits, then refer to a dealership to get the answers you need in order to prevent any damage to you, other drivers or your vehicle.
Tongue Weight Chart 2
Trailer Brakes:
All of the manuals will have specifications on trailer brake systems that are part of your trailer if the weight of the trailer will exceed a certain limit. If we take the 2019 model as an example again, we can see that the recommended unbraked limit is set at 1,000 pounds and anything over that weight should have a trailer braking system installed.
For this example then, we would know that if your SUV had a 3.6l engine with a towing package installed (V92), then you would need to have trailer brakes installed because that setup had a maximum limit of 4,000 pounds.
Other Helpful Information...
Like I said, there is a lot of other helpful information in the owner's manual that you should look at to get the best grasp on what your vehicle can actually do and what it's limits are.
Other recommended topics I saw in the manual included things like: using the tow/haul mode when pulling and the limits/recommendations associated with that, trailer wiring specs, Trailer Sway Control (TSC) features that can help and how they help, etc.
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.
Last updated on March 4th, 2021 at 02:03 am
