Recommended Trailer Hitch and Towing Capacity for 2016 Chevy Traverse

Question:

hello I have a 2016 Traverse. That has an over the road pkg installed. I want to purchase a camper for it to pull. When I went to look at them they scanned my Vin number and said no problem I could pull up to 5000 lbs. Cool. But I need to install a hitch 1st. Called Dealer for the price to install a hitch, and why I wanted one. The salesman told me I needed a towing pkg. Mine did not have one. Had a mach. look at when I took to shop. They said that it had a transmission cooler installed and it should not be a prop. I dont know who to believe at this point.

asked by: Frank R

Expert Reply:

For your 2016 Chevy Traverse, the mechanic is correct and the dealer salesman is incorrect. The ability to add towing equipment to vehicles without tow packages is the majority of what we as a company do.

I recommend the etrailer.com Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # E98863 for your trailer hitch which is a fairly easy installation that you can do and save yourself the mechanic costs. If you choose to have them install it for you it should take about 30 minutes. It is installing 4 bolts into existing weldnuts and then adding two more bolts where weldnuts may or may not be present in the bumper beam. I've attached the installation instructions and a video of the similar Enclave to assist. Your vehicle will be able to tow the 5,000 lbs as they stated from running your VIN.

For your trailer wiring harness, I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way Trailer Connector # 118271 which will connect to the wiring harness already present with your vehicle and give you the relays and fuses needed to activate the tow package. Then you will use bracket # PK12711U or # C58000 to mount your trailer connector.

Then if the camper has trailer brakes, I recommend the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller #
which will be a really nice and clean looking system for your and then the TrailerMate Custom Wiring Adapter for Trailer Brake Controllers - Pigtail # TM75269. This adapter harness plugs into the port on your vehicle's built-in brake control wiring harness. The factory wiring harness is located underneath the dash, to the left of the steering column, and it is taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal.

Finally, I recommend the B&W Tow & Stow 2-Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 3" Drop, 3-1/2" Rise - 10K - Black # BWTS10033B which will allow you to easily tow your camper level and will store nicely underneath when not in use. You may use a locking hitch pin like # e98880 to secure this mount and deter theft.

Let me know if you have further questions.