Towing Capacity of 2016 GMC Acadia with Tow Package and Determining if WD System is Needed

Question:

I have a 2016 Acadia Limited with towing package. What is the Gross Axle Weight Rating for a trailer on the hitch ball? The trailer we are looking has a hitch weight of 300 lbs. We are looking at a trailer that has a GW of 3500 lbs. Will we need hitch anti-sway leveling bars, or can the hitch support this trailer with them?

asked by: Jon S

Expert Reply:

I took a look at the online owner's manual for your 2016 GMC Acadia and found that models with the factory tow package can pull a trailer that weighs up to 5,200 pounds. I do highly recommend also verifying this in your copy of the owner's manual or by visiting a local GMC dealer with your VIN.

With this in mind, your vehicle can certainly handle the 3,500 pound trailer (with a hitch/tongue weight of around 300 pounds) you are looking at.

Your vehicle and hitch can handle the weight of the trailer, but that doesn't mean that you wouldn't still receive great benefits from a weight distribution system with sway control. A weight distribution system is a good idea any time the trailer weighs more than 50 percent of the vehicle. Your Acadia has a curb weight of around 4,600-4,800 pounds, so you certainly meet this requirement. Other indications that a system will be helpful are rear vehicle sag when hooked up to the trailer, difficulty turning or braking, or sway issues during travel.

When picking out a weight distribution system, the most important factor to consider is your total tongue weight. This includes the fully loaded tongue weight of the trailer along with any added cargo coming from behind the rear axle of your Acadia. Ideally this number will fall somewhere near the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.

You mentioned a hitch/tongue weight of 300 pounds on the trailer you are looking at. If this ends up being an accurate number for your total tongue weight (give or take) then the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37060ET should work great. This system features a tongue weight capacity of 200 to 600 pounds, will do a great job of evenly distributing weight over the axles of the trailer and vehicle, and has integrated 4-Point sway control to limit side-to-side movement.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this system that you can also check out.

If you are still needing a trailer hitch (I am not sure if the factory tow package includes one) I recommend the Draw-Tite Max Frame # 75528. I have attached an installation video that you can use for reference. From what I could find it does look like the factory tow package includes a trailer wiring harness, so you shouldn't need to add that.