Arcadia/Traverse Suitability?

haglunde

Cadet
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
29
Looking at short distance towing for a 2008 Glastron V8 GT205 on a single axle trailer. I haven't found good specs for weight on that boat but it looks to be 3000ish for the boat alone. We currently have a GMC Yukon XL but she's old and it's time to move on. I'd rather not eat the cost of the truck platform so I'm looking at the Arcadia AWD V6. But I'm a little leery. Anyone have experience with this vehicle?
 

briangcc

Commander
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Jul 10, 2012
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2,360
They neutered the GMC Acadia towing. Just looked it up and from what I can find online it says 1k towing (last I had checked it was 3500 but that was a couple years back). In 2016 it was 5k on an AWD SLE2 with Tow package. And that was overly optimistic - I know, I tried towing my Four Winns with it, not fun.

The Traverse has a higher tow rating at 5k when equipped with trailering package. This is on the 2023 models, do your research before buying. **Last I had sat with a dealer this required at least an SLT2 package.

My admiral's cousin just bought a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek (6k towing) and loves it. We have a 2022 Durango AWD with tow package (6200 towing) and it tows my Chap no issue. We previously had a 2017 4Runner SR5 Premium (5k towing) which also towed the Chap no issue.
 

havoc_squad

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
738
Looking at short distance towing for a 2008 Glastron V8 GT205 on a single axle trailer. I haven't found good specs for weight on that boat but it looks to be 3000ish for the boat alone. We currently have a GMC Yukon XL but she's old and it's time to move on. I'd rather not eat the cost of the truck platform so I'm looking at the Arcadia AWD V6. But I'm a little leery. Anyone have experience with this vehicle?
If you only have 5 total including driver to deal with in seating, I fail to see a valid reason in avoiding a truck, put a bed cover on if you need dry storage that can lock. Or at least get a GMC/,Chevy Tahoe built to tow.

A naturally aspirated V6 is anemic when towing 3500 lbs on anywhere there is hilly areas.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,162
Our 2017 Traverse AWD V6 LT1 with towing package was rated for 5200 pounds. It pulled a 4000 pound boat with single axle trailer effortlessly. It also came with a trailering mode that apparently made changes to the drive train. Truthfully, I never noticed a difference on or off.

The 2023 Traverse has the same engine but the capacity was reduced to 5000 pounds. We just picked up one for my wife yesterday. I'll report back in a week.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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The V6 in the Acadia will puke oil if pressed into tow duty
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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The V6 in the Acadia will puke oil if pressed into tow duty
Glad you told me. I guess we sold the old 2017 just in time. I certainly won't put the wife's 2023 in joepardy.

I guess I'll have to bring my old Bonneville back out of the Cruise Night circuit and make him a dedicated towcar once again. They sure built cars right back in the day.
 

Scott06

Admiral
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Apr 20, 2014
Messages
6,428
Looking at short distance towing for a 2008 Glastron V8 GT205 on a single axle trailer. I haven't found good specs for weight on that boat but it looks to be 3000ish for the boat alone. We currently have a GMC Yukon XL but she's old and it's time to move on. I'd rather not eat the cost of the truck platform so I'm looking at the Arcadia AWD V6. But I'm a little leery. Anyone have experience with this vehicle?
Base Acadia is 1000 lbs but it is 4k with the towing package.

How short a distance? I'll play the other side of the fence as I have towed my similar sized 2004 Sea Ray 200 Sport 2 miles to the ramp and 15 miles to the barn with my '06 Highlander (3500 lbs capacity) and my 2016 highlander (5500 capacity) no issue. I do have working trailer brakes which I would recommend adding if not already equipped.
 

haglunde

Cadet
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
29
Sooo.... mixed bag of reviews. Thanks for the feedback. I'd love to replace the Yukon XL with a standard Yukon or Tahoe but there's no way I'm spending that kind of cash for one of those.
 

haglunde

Cadet
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
29
Base Acadia is 1000 lbs but it is 4k with the towing package.

How short a distance? I'll play the other side of the fence as I have towed my similar sized 2004 Sea Ray 200 Sport 2 miles to the ramp and 15 miles to the barn with my '06 Highlander (3500 lbs capacity) and my 2016 highlander (5500 capacity) no issue. I do have working trailer brakes which I would recommend adding if not already equipped.
Sounds like a similar situation.
Honestly most years it will be used for spring launch and fall retrieve at a landing down the street. Once a year or so it's a 10 mile trip to the shop. So really short distance. The trailer has surge brakes.
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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6,428
Sounds like a similar situation.
Honestly most years it will be used for spring launch and fall retrieve at a landing down the street. Once a year or so it's a 10 mile trip to the shop. So really short distance. The trailer has surge brakes.
any of the vehicles except the 1k tow rated version will be fine.

Your other thread on the Kia Telluride will work well too.

What I found out when I bought my highlander is the higher tow rated versions of the Highlander (XLE) vs the lower rated ones - the difference wasn't in engine, trans, or brakes..it was having a separate trans cooler and engine oil cooler- all heat takeaway rated. So for short trips like we do no need to buy anything bigger. YMMV
 

Toyelectroman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
198
My neighbor tows his 17 foot camper across the states with his traverse. I think he is crazy but he still does it
 
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