Towing with the GMC Acadia

The 2024 Acadia is GMC’s largest model not built on a truck platform. It is designed to seat seven and carry their things with all the comfort of a family sedan. The transverse layout of the engine and transmission enables a smaller overall size despite the roomy cabin. It also enables the Acadia to operate more efficiently. But those with toys to haul from one place to another may ask how well and how much the Acadia can tow. This Dieffenbach GM post gives you the answers, along with a few additional towing tips.

You Want the Trailer Package

In its most basic form, the Acadia Elevation FWD and AWD can tow a maximum of 1,500 pounds. That is easily raised to 5,000 pounds with the $650 Trailering Package (code name V92). The 5,000 lb. capacity is the same for FWD and AWD models. The Trailering Package consists of the following:

• 7-pin wiring harness
• Factory-installed Class III hitch
• Heavy-duty cooling system
• Hitch Guidance with Hitch View
• 220 amp alternator

The heavy-duty cooling and the 220 amp alternator bring up the Acadia’s towing capacity. The hitch and wiring harness enable the trailer to be properly connected. The Hitch Guidance helps in several ways. When in reverse, it displays a centered guideline on the Rear Vision Camera view, and when driving, it lets you use the Rear Vision Camera to check the trailer. Hitch View creates a downward view from the rear camera directly to where the hitch ball will be to help you line up the ball with your trailer hitch. You can also use this view while driving to check on the hitch connection. An additional function of this system is that shifting to park will automatically engage the electric brakes if installed. Though an option in the Elevation model, the Trailering Package is standard on the AT4 and Denali trim levels, both of which also have 5,000-pound towing capacities.

Additional Acadia Towing Tips

GMC has some additional recommendations for towing with the Acadia. They recommend you deactivate the following features before you tow:

• Park Assist
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Lane Change Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control (unless the vehicle is equipped with trailering functionality)

In addition, if you purchase the Acadia new, do not use it to tow during the break-in period, which will be the first 500 miles. They also recommend that the vehicle has a recent oil change before towing near the capacity and that you do not make full-throttle starts or drive over 50 mph during the first 500 miles of towing. Depending on the conditions, towing may cause the 8-speed transmission to change gears more than you prefer, so you may wish to use the manual shifting option. 

Super Cruise is available on the 2024 Acadia and is compatible with towing, but not if the model is equipped with an aftermarket brake controller. Be aware that SuperCruise Lane Change does not operate when towing. Many of these precautions are not unique to the Acadia and should be considered when towing with any new vehicle. 

If you have been wondering about the towing abilities of the Acadia, we hope this post has answered your questions. If you have any additional questions, please contact one of our Diffenbach GM Superstore sales professionals for assistance when you test drive an Acadia for yourself.