Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2012 GMC Acadia Behind an RV and Carry 4 Bikes and Kayaks

Question

Question:

We just purchased a 2017 Fleetwood Jamboree Class C Motorhome. Here are the specs: GWVR - 14,500 lbs. Front GAWR - 5,000 lbs. Rear GAWR - 9,600 lbs. GCWR - 22,000 lbs. The hitch rating is as follows: Weight Distributing - Do not use wit spring bars Weight Carrying - 7,500 lbs. What does this mean? Dinghy Towing - 5,000 lbs. This is our first time ever having to flat tow a vehicle. Is what we want to do possible? I thought about buying a duel hitch to put on the RV. The top would hold an 85 lbs. bike rack with 4 bikes 2 light weight adult bikes and 2 small child bikes. We would be flat towing a 2012 GMC Acadia with a curb weight of 4,650 lbs. At some point in time, we would like to add 150 lbs. in kayaks to the Acadia. Is any of this at all possible? How should we set up our riginch to be safe and still take our toys?

asked by: Michael H

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Expert Reply:

Weight carrying is the gross trailer weight capacity of the hitch. Weight distribution is a device used to better distribute the tongue weight from a trailer to all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer. It produces more stress in certain places on the trailer frame and tow vehicle. As such some vehicles/hitches are not rated for use with weight distribution. Dinghy towing means flat towing or towing a vehicle with all of its wheels on the ground.

So basically your trailer hitch is rated to tow 5,000 pounds when used to flat tow a vehicle. Your Acadia's gross weight when ready to tow it will have to be less than 5,000 pounds.

I assume that the 150 pounds of kayaks is 4 kayaks. Does your 2012 Acadia have crossbars that run side to side on the roof? Does it just have side rails that run front to back? Or does it have a naked roof? I can recommend parts needed if you the vehicle does not have crossbars. Also, check the owner's manual to see if the roof can handle 150 pounds.

You can carry bikes while flat towing the Acadia by using a dual receiver such as # RM-077-4 or # RM-077-2. Keep in mind that with 4 bikes the turning clearance may be reduced between the front of the Acadia and the bikes.

To flat tow the Acadia you will need base plates such as # 523149-1. For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Falcon 2 # RM-520. And for safety cables I recommend # RM-643. For lights you can use a magnetic kit such as # RM-2120. Or for a more permanent solution a diode kit such as # RM-15267.

it also looks like the battery has to be disconnected to flat tow your Acadia. Consult the owner's manual to confirm. It also appears that fuses have to be pulled. To make this process as easy as flipping a switch you can use fuse bypasses # RM76511 and # RM-76517.

You may also need a high/low adapter to keep the tow bar level. I have linked a help article showing how to measure and a link to the high/low adapters we carry.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

What you need to do is check the hitch or owners manual on your vehicle. There will be towing capacities listed, and if you see a second set of towing capacities when using a weight distribution system that will tell you if you have the ability to A.…

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Answer 2

For your 2008 GMC Acadia and 2006 Forest River Surveyor at 450 TW and 4,500 GTW, the Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with Shank, #66087, that you referenced would be a good system for this application. The Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with…

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Answer 3

Your 2017 GMC Acadia Denali with the factory V92 towing package is rated to tow a trailer up to 4,000lbs. This information is directly out of the owners manual for your Acadia. I do recommend using a weight distribution hitch like the Fastway e2…

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Answer 4

Among the most popular and reliable trailer brake controllers we offer is the Tekonsha Prodigy P3, part #90195. This proportional controller works with both electric and electric-over-hydraulic brakes and will ensure your trailer will stop in…

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 7

The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED24FR is the way to go over the Elite #RED44FR as you get the nicer functions of the Elite at a lower price. The Elite has the ability to be the more preferred proportional style of controller as well as a time-delayed…

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Answer 8

You're right, the mounting bracket is unique (in a good way) for the Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV. The bracket is smaller and all you do is put the included adhesive tape on the bracket and stick it wherever you like under…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

I recommend the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller #RED24FR for your 2023 Toyota Tacoma with the factory tow package. You will be able to connect the wiring using the Redarc Adapter #RED99FR directly to the factory connector. We also have the…

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Answer 11

For your 2024 Nissan Frontier I recommend the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller #RED24FR. I like the Liberty because it is simple, reliable, and looks great in any vehicle. The main unit installs behind the dash, so only the control knob will…

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Answer 12

Yes, when installing the knob for the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller item #RED24FR you will want to remove any extra material behind the insert. I am happy the video was able to help you out. I have linked a couple of pictures from the video…

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Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2012 GMC Acadia Behind an RV and Carry 4 Bikes and Kayaks

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