The third-generation Chevy Traverse enters its second year for 2025, bringing a few important updates and changes along the way, including trim level changes, updated safety features, and more. Notably, the 2025 Chevy Traverse has the capability to tow a decently sized trailer. Now, GM Authority is highlighting how much the 2025 Traverse crossover can actually tow.
First are foremost, we should mention that all 2025 Chevy Traverse trim levels as equipped as standard with the Trailering Package (RPO code V92). This packages bundles together several features to enhance the crossover’s towing capability and reliability, including (relevant RPO codes listed in parentheses):
- Hitch with hitch cover
- Hitch View (PZ8)
- Hitch Guidance (CTT)
- Heavy-duty cooling system (V08)
- 220-amp alternator (KW5)
With that out of the way, the 2025 Chevy Traverse is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), regardless of trim or drivetrain configuration. This includes the LT, RS, Z71, and High Country trims, whether equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD), or all-wheel drive (AWD).
2025 Chevy Traverse Towing Capacities
| Model | Drivetrain | Turbo 2.5L I4 LK0 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) | ||
| LT | FWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| LT | AWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| Z71 | AWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| High Country | FWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| High Country | AWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| RS | FWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
| RS | AWD | 5,000 / 2,268 |
To maximize safety and longevity while towing, GM recommends the following precautions:
- Break-In Period: Do not tow with the Chevy Traverse during the first 500 miles of vehicle use, and limit speeds to under 50 mph during the first 800 miles of towing. Also, perform the first oil change before heavy towing activities.
- Deactivate ADAS Features: Certain driver assistance features, such as Park Assist, Automatic Parking Assist (APA), Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB), and Adaptive Cruise Control, should be deactivated when towing.
- Check Equipment Regularly: Ensure hitch components, safety chains, and trailer brakes are secure and functional before each trip.
- Maintain extended following distances, avoid sudden maneuvers, and use lower gears when descending steep grades.
The 2025 Chevy Traverse is powered by the turbocharged 2.5L I4 LK0 gasoline engine, which is rated at 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Under the body panels, the Traverse rides on the GM C1 platform, while production takes place at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Michigan.
Comments
That number is underated.
Used to be you calculated towing by the following equation.
QVWR=curb weight+driver+trailer/10 (tongue weight)
The traverse curb weight is right under 4500, GVWR right under 6400, so that literally a TON of passengers cargo and trailer weight. If that was measured the same way as the Silverado is measured, your talking almost 20,000 lbs towing 😬 looks to me that GM sandbagged the traverse knowing that it will get loaded up with 7 overweight passengers, their belongings and a Thule rack on the roof before adding a trailer. Empty the traverse probably could handle 6500->7000 pretty easily, and I’m getting that number from the last generation Colorado with the 3.6 V6 and the wimpier 8T50 transmission. If you overload your traverse, I wouldn’t balk at it one bit.
A couple of things (but yes, they could have easily designed these things to tow 6,500-7,500 lbs):
1). Cooling capacity/efficiency.
2). Only a 500 lb rated hitch for tongue weight.
3). ~3,500-3,600 lb GAWR for the rear axle. It was 3,527 lbs RGAWR on my 2014 Acadia, I doubt much has changed.
4). Brakes. Undersized for towing any major GCVW.
5). Low GCVWRs. Brakes, soft OEM suspension.
6). Save the family of 7 from themselves when they put 1,000 lbs of passengers, 400 lbs of gear, and a 700 lbs tongue weight trailer on the hitch, because, “It all fits, right?”.
7). GM wants to force you into a Tahoe/Yukon/Silverado/Sierra to get that margin $$$.
I am someone who actually towed with a Lambda (precursor to C1) vehicle — 2014 Acadia — and am well aware of its capabilities. However, they easily could have made the new vehicles with a separate transmission cooler on top of the tow package radiator, stiffened the suspension, 1″ bigger brakes, 3,800 lb rear axle, a 750 lb hitch, and the 2.7L from the Colorado/Canyon. That truly would have been “Professional Grade.”
All these things would bump the GVWR to ~7,000 lbs, GCVWR to ~12,000 lbs, and plenty of HP/TQ. That unibody frame can definitely take it (look at what the Europeans/Aussies tow with unibodies). Maybe just needs an extra cross member for the added capacities.
… but GM doesn’t want to sell or make available such a vehicle to you, because then they couldn’t force you into a more expensive body-on-frame — which are protected by import tariffs! These vehicles are artificially nerfed on purpose.
If the Traverse comes with the trailering package, why does it not have a break controller ? I had to have one installed.
A break controller? Last thing I would want is a way to control a break down.
Now a BRAKE controller would make sense because that’s what helps stop the vehicle.