Chevy Traverse Towing Capacity by Year, Engine & Trim

The Traverse competes head-to-head with the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride. Its 5,000 lb tow rating matches the Highlander and Pilot while trailing the Telluride's 5,500 lbs. The Traverse's advantage is interior space — it has the most cargo room of any mid-size three-row crossover, making it ideal for families who tow camping trailers and need room for gear. For the basics of how tow ratings work, our towing capacity guide covers the fundamentals.

Use our towing capacity lookup tool to check your exact Traverse configuration.

The maximum Chevy Traverse towing capacity is 5,000 lbs, available on all trim levels when equipped with the factory trailering package. This rating has been consistent across both the 2nd generation (2018–2023, 3.6L V6) and the redesigned 3rd generation (2024–2025, 2.5L turbo-four).

The trailering package includes a 2-inch receiver hitch rated for 5,000 lbs, a 7-pin wiring harness, a heavy-duty cooling system with a transmission oil cooler, and hitch guidance via the rear-view camera. The cooling system upgrade is the mechanical component that enables the 5,000 lb rating — without it, the transmission overheats under sustained towing.

The 2024+ Traverse's 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder produces 315 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque. Despite having one fewer cylinder than the outgoing V6, the turbo engine delivers more torque at lower RPM (2,000 vs 3,600 RPM peak), making it feel stronger during acceleration with a trailer.

⚠️ Warning: The 1,500 lb rating without the trailering package is one of the most dramatic drops in the crossover segment. A Traverse without the package can barely pull a small utility trailer. If towing is in your plans, the trailering package is mandatory — confirm it's on the build sheet before purchasing.

For finding your specific tow rating, our guide on how to find towing capacity covers the options.

The Traverse's tow rating has been consistent at 5,000 lbs with the tow package across both recent generations. Here's the full breakdown.

Use the tool below to check your exact Traverse year and configuration.

Source: General Motors Trailering Guides (chevrolet.com); Edmunds vehicle specifications (edmunds.com)

The 1st gen Traverse (2009–2017) actually had a slightly higher rating at 5,200 lbs with the tow package. The 2nd gen dropped 200 lbs to 5,000 lbs when GM redesigned the platform with lighter construction and updated safety equipment that added weight.

💡 Pro Tip: The 2018–2023 Traverse with the 3.6L V6 and trailering package is the best used value for towing in this segment. Used examples run $22,000–32,000, and the 5,000 lb rating matches a new 2024 model costing $37,000+. The V6 is a proven, reliable engine with none of the turbo-related concerns some buyers have about the new four-cylinder.

The Traverse's 5,000 lb rating is solid but not class-leading. The Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer both exceed it, while several others match it.

Source: Manufacturer specifications via Edmunds (edmunds.com) and KBB (kbb.com)

The Traverse's standout advantage is interior space, not towing. Its cargo area behind the third row is the largest in the segment — critical for families who need to carry camping gear, sports equipment, and luggage while towing. You can tow a pop-up camper and still fit a family's worth of gear inside.

The Kia Telluride at 5,500 lbs beats the Traverse by 500 lbs at the same price. For pure towing capability, the Telluride wins. The Traverse counters with more cargo volume and Chevy's broader dealer network.

For a full segment ranking, see our SUV towing capacity rankings. If you need more than 5,000 lbs from a Chevy, the Silverado 1500 starts at 9,500+ lbs.

💡 Key Insight: The 2024+ Traverse's 2.5L turbo gets 24–28 MPG combined — significantly better than the old V6's 18–21 MPG. Over 15,000 miles annually, that's roughly $600–900 in fuel savings. The fuel economy advantage makes the new Traverse a better long-term value, even if the V6 "felt" more traditional.

Two factors dominate: the trailering package and payload management. The Traverse's single-engine, single-transmission lineup simplifies things.

Trailering Package Is Everything

5,000 lbs with it, 1,500 lbs without it. The 3,500 lb gap is the largest in the segment. The transmission oil cooler and upgraded radiator in the package allow sustained towing that would overheat the base cooling system.

Payload and Tongue Weight

Traverse payload is approximately 1,300–1,500 lbs. With a 5,000 lb trailer at 10–15% tongue weight, that's 500–750 lbs on the hitch — 33–58% of payload. Add four passengers and gear, and you're approaching or exceeding the payload ceiling.

A weight distribution hitch is recommended for loads over 3,500 lbs. Understanding tongue weight and the towing vs payload relationship prevents overloading the unibody structure.

⚠️ Warning: The Traverse's unibody construction distributes tongue weight differently than a body-on-frame truck or SUV. Overloading the tongue can stress the rear subframe mounting points and accelerate bushing wear. Stay within 10–12% of trailer weight for tongue weight (not the full 15% max) as a safer margin on the Traverse.

Use the Can I Tow This calculator to verify your Traverse handles your planned load. For boat weight specifics, our boat towing guide covers weights by boat type.

The Traverse is a solid choice for families who need maximum interior space AND occasional towing under 4,500 lbs.

Buy the Traverse for towing if:

• Your typical load is 2,500–4,500 lbs (pop-up campers, small boats, utility trailers)
• Interior cargo space is a priority alongside towing — the Traverse leads the segment
• You want the 2024+ turbo engine's improved fuel economy (24–28 MPG)
• You tow 5–15 times per year for recreation
• Budget matters — the Traverse undercuts the Highlander and Pilot by $2,000–5,000

Don't buy the Traverse for towing if:

• You need over 5,000 lbs — the Tahoe or a truck is required
• You want the segment's best tow rating — the Telluride at 5,500 lbs costs the same
• You tow frequently or at maximum capacity — the unibody platform prefers occasional use
• You want body-on-frame durability for sustained towing

💡 Pro Tip: Get the trailering package from the factory — it costs roughly $550–750 and adds 3,500 lbs of towing capacity. There is no better dollars-per-towing-pound option on any vehicle. If you're even considering towing in the future, order the package. You can't retroactively add the transmission cooler and maintain the factory rating.