Will the Towing Capacity of a 2017 GMC Acadia Limited Increase with a Weight Distribution System

Question:

I have a 2017 GMC Acadia Limited with the towing package and the factory recommendation says towing capacity is 5200 pounds. Your 75528 hitch shows if using weight distribution you can tow up to 7500 pounds and increase the tongue weight from 600 to 750. Is that really the case because my current hitch says the maximum towing weight is 5200 regardless if using weight distribution and 600 pounds tongue weight? I am lookin to pull a travel trailer close to the 5200 pounds loaded with about 450 pounds of tongue weight or so. Will your hitch allow us to tow more or are we limited to 5200 lbs and 600 tongue weight per the factory recommendations? I saw that the Dodge Durango can tow 6200 pounds with a 6 cylinder so I do not understand what the differences are between the vehicles? Can I upgrade my hitch to tow more like with your hitch?

asked by: Dave

Helpful Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual for a 2017 GMC Acadia Limited, the maximum towing capacity of a model with the 3.6L V6 engine and the V92 trailer towing package is 4,000 lbs. The towing capacity of your Acadia is tested independently of the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 75528 which is why you are seeing two different towing capacities. The Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver can physically handle 7,500 lbs with a weight distribution system but your Acadia cannot and you will need to abide by the lower of the two ratings which is your vehicle. Therefore, your towing capacity is 4,000 lbs even while using the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver with a weight distribution system.

There are a numerous number of factors (transmission type/frame strength/cooling power) that go into determining the towing capacity of a vehicle, not just engine size. Therefore, it is not uncommon that a Dodge Durango with a V6 engine has a different towing capacity than a GMC Acadia with a v6 engine.

With that being said, although a weight distribution system will not increase your towing capacity in this scenario, it will certainly make for a better tow and I do recommend using one if you will be near the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. For this, I really like the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control part # FA92-00-1000 because it also has built-in sway control. In order to use this system you will need a hitch ball part # EQ91-00-6080 for 2" or part # EQ91-00-6100 for 2-5/16".

I have attached a review video on the Fastway system for you as well.