The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that is not primarily designed for towing. However, it does have a towing capacity, and its ability to pull a camper depends on the camper's weight and the Terrain's specifications. The standard 4-cylinder 1.5-litre engine model has a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, which is suitable for towing small lightweight campers such as teardrop, stand-up, or pop-up campers. Upgrading to the 2.0-litre turbo engine increases the towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, allowing for the towing of extremely light pop-up campers. It's important to consider the payload capacity and the weight of passengers and cargo when determining the towing capability of the GMC Terrain.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Towing capacity with 1.5L engine | 1,500 pounds |
Towing capacity with 2.0L engine | 3,500 pounds |
Payload capacity | 1,200 pounds |
Examples of towable campers | Little Guy Trailers MyPod, Timberleaf Kestrel, Sylvansport Go Trailer |
What You'll Learn
The GMC Terrain has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that is not primarily designed for towing. However, it does have a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. This capacity is the same across all GMC Terrain models, regardless of trim package. For example, the SLE, SLT, and Denali versions all have the same maximum towing capacity.
With a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, the GMC Terrain can tow small lightweight campers such as teardrop campers, small stand-up campers, or pop-up campers. These types of campers typically have a dry weight between 750 and 1,500 pounds, which is within the towing capacity of the GMC Terrain. It's important to consider the dry weight or unloaded vehicle weight when determining if the GMC Terrain can tow a particular camper.
When towing a camper with a GMC Terrain, it's essential to ensure that the trailer weight does not exceed the vehicle's maximum towing capacity. The trailer weight is the most important measurement to consider when deciding if the GMC Terrain can tow a specific trailer. Additionally, it's crucial to have a trailer hitch installed, as GMC Terrains do not come with a standard tow package.
While the GMC Terrain has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, it's important to note that this capacity is for trailers with brakes. For trailers without brakes, the towing capacity of the GMC Terrain is 1,000 pounds.
In summary, the GMC Terrain has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, which allows it to tow small lightweight campers. However, it's important to consider the trailer weight and ensure it does not exceed the vehicle's capacity. Additionally, a trailer hitch may need to be installed for towing.
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The vehicle is not designed for towing
The GMC Terrain is not designed for towing. While it is possible to tow a camper with this vehicle, there are several important limitations and considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the GMC Terrain is a compact SUV, not a dedicated towing vehicle. Its small size and stature already prompt concerns about its ability to handle towing.
The standard 4-cylinder 1.5-liter engine of the GMC Terrain offers a towing capacity of only 1,500 pounds. This rules out a significant proportion of towable RVs and campers. Even with a lightweight camper, there is limited room for cargo and camping supplies. To put this into perspective, a standard teardrop camper, which is one of the lightest options, typically has a dry weight of 750 to 1,500 pounds. This weight can easily be exceeded once gear and cargo are loaded into the camper.
Upgrading to the 2.0-liter turbo engine boosts the towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, which is still relatively limited compared to other vehicles designed for towing. Additionally, the GMC Terrain has a low payload capacity of just under 1,200 pounds. This capacity is quickly reduced by the weight of passengers and any cargo placed inside the vehicle, leaving little room for additional trailer weight.
It is crucial to respect the towing capacity and payload limitations of the GMC Terrain for safety reasons. Exceeding these limits can strain the engine and transmission, accelerate brake wear, damage tires, and compromise safety. Therefore, while it is technically possible for the GMC Terrain to tow a camper, it is not designed or optimized for this purpose, and drivers will need to be vigilant about staying within the specified weight limits.
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The payload capacity is less than 1,200 pounds
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that is not primarily designed for towing. While it does have a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, its payload capacity is less than 1,200 pounds. This means that the weight of passengers and cargo will quickly eat into this allowance, leaving little room for a trailer.
The payload capacity of the GMC Terrain is the maximum amount of weight that can be put on the axles of the vehicle. This includes the weight of passengers, cargo, and any additional weight for a trailer. With a payload capacity of less than 1,200 pounds, the GMC Terrain's towing capacity is significantly limited.
When considering towing a camper with the GMC Terrain, it is important to keep in mind that the weight of the camper is not the only factor that needs to be considered. The weight of passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment will also contribute to the overall weight that the vehicle needs to pull.
Even if the dry weight of a camper is below the 1,500-pound max tow capacity of the GMC Terrain, it is easy to exceed this weight once gear and cargo are loaded into the camper. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a camper with a dry weight that is substantially lower than the max tow capacity of the GMC Terrain to provide a cushion and leave room for additional cargo weight.
The GMC Terrain's low payload and towing capacity make it challenging to tow a camper. It is not impossible, but it is not the most tow-friendly vehicle in its class. Individuals looking to tow a camper with the GMC Terrain will need to carefully consider the weight of the camper, passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment to ensure they do not exceed the vehicle's towing and payload capacity limits.
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The Denali model promises an upgraded engine
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that is not primarily designed for towing. The standard model comes with a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that allows for a towing capacity of 1500 pounds. This is enough to tow a small lightweight camper such as a teardrop, stand-up, or pop-up camper.
Upgrading to the 2.0-litre turbo engine boosts the Terrain's towing capacity to 3500 pounds, enabling it to tow extremely light pop-up campers. However, the GMC Terrain's low payload capacity of just under 1200 pounds can be quickly reached with the weight of passengers and cargo, making it challenging to add the extra weight of a trailer.
The Denali model, released in late 2021, promises an upgraded engine for more horsepower and added suspension for a more comfortable ride. This upgraded engine is likely to enhance the towing capacity of the GMC Terrain, making it a more capable towing vehicle.
While the standard GMC Terrain can tow small campers, the Denali model's upgraded engine may provide the power and performance needed to handle larger or heavier trailers. This upgrade could be a significant advantage for those who want the versatility of towing a wider range of campers or recreational vehicles.
The Denali's improved engine performance and added suspension could also enhance stability and handling when towing. This would result in a smoother and more controlled driving experience, reducing the strain on the vehicle and improving safety.
The Denali's upgraded engine is a welcome enhancement to the GMC Terrain, addressing the limitations of the standard model's towing capabilities. With this upgrade, the Denali model has the potential to be a more competent and versatile towing vehicle, appealing to those who require the ability to tow heavier loads.
While the exact specifications of the Denali's upgraded engine are not provided, it is clear that this model has been designed to offer improved performance and comfort. This upgrade showcases GMC's recognition of the importance of towing capabilities in their vehicles and their commitment to meeting the diverse needs of their customers.
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The Terrain is a compact SUV
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that is not primarily designed for towing. Its standard 4-cylinder 1.5-liter engine gives it a towing capacity of only 1,500 pounds, which is minuscule and rules out a large percentage of towable RVs. This capacity can be increased to 3,500 pounds by upgrading to a 2.0-liter turbo engine, but even this is relatively limited.
The GMC Terrain is the smallest SUV that GMC manufactures and is one of the more popular compact SUVs currently on the market. It is often considered an upgrade to the Chevy Equinox due to its higher trim packages, upgraded transmission, and additional safety features.
Despite its compact size, the GMC Terrain can tow small lightweight campers such as teardrop campers, small stand-up campers, or pop-up campers. Examples of campers that can be towed by the GMC Terrain include the Little Guy Trailers MyPod, the Timberleaf Kestrel, the Sylvansport Go Trailer, and the TAXA Outdoors TigerMoth.
It's important to note that the GMC Terrain does not come with a standard tow package, so you will likely need to install a trailer hitch and trailer wiring to control the running lights, brake lights, and brakes on the trailer. Additionally, the dry weight of the camper is the most important measurement to consider when deciding if the GMC Terrain can tow it. The dry weight is the weight of the camper without any cargo, batteries, or propane, and it should be substantially lower than the max tow capacity of the GMC Terrain to provide a cushion for additional cargo weight.
The GMC Terrain's low payload capacity of just under 1,200 pounds is another limiting factor when it comes to towing. This capacity can be quickly eaten up by the weight of passengers and cargo, leaving little room for a trailer. As a result, the GMC Terrain is not the most tow-friendly vehicle in its class, and drivers will need to constantly calculate their towing numbers to ensure they don't exceed the vehicle's limits.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard 4-cylinder 1.5-liter engine of the GMC Terrain has a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. However, by upgrading to the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the towing capacity increases to 3,500 pounds.
The GMC Terrain can tow very light pop-up campers like the Sylvan Sport or the Getaway. Teardrop campers, stand-up campers, and compact campers under 1,500 pounds are also options.
The GMC Terrain has a payload capacity of just under 1,200 pounds, which can be quickly used up by passengers and cargo. The towing capacity of 1,500 pounds rules out a large percentage of towable RVs.
The GMC Terrain is not the most tow-friendly vehicle in its class. It is a compact SUV and not primarily made for towing. Due to its low payload and towing capacity, towing with the GMC Terrain requires constantly calculating your towing numbers.