Can a Chevy Traverse Tow a Camper?

There is little debate on whether the Chevy Traverse is a good midsize SUV. While there are opinions on both sides of the spectrum, no doubt, most people would agree that there are more pros than cons when it comes to the Chevy Traverse. It has a strong V6 engine, it will give you great gas mileage for an SUV of its size, and we cannot forget the user-friendly infotainment system. However, what about the towing capacity of the Chevy Traverse?

How much can a Chevy Traverse tow? Can a Chevy Traverse tow a camper? Well, let’s find out!

How Much Can a Chevy Traverse Tow?

How much your Chevy Traverse can tow depends on the engine you choose. Luckily, unlike many other companies that have a variety of models to choose from in their line, the Chevy Traverse only has two.

However, the two engine options (or model options) are quite different so be sure to research each option so you can be sure that the option you chose, can actually give you what you want.

●     2.0 Turbo Four-Cylinder Engine

• The 2.0 turbo four-cylinder engine is the standard engine option
  • This engine yields 257 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque
  • The max towing capacity is: 1,500 lbs
  • This engine is a great choice if you want to tow smaller campers

●     3.5 L V6 Engine

• The 3.5 L V6 engine yields 310 HP and 266 lb-ft of torque
  • The max towing capacity is: 5,000 lbs
  • This engine is a great choice if you want to tow larger campers

As you can tell, there is quite a difference between the towing capacity of both engines. However, the question still stands: can a Chevy Traverse tow a camper? And honestly, it does not matter which engine option you choose because the answer will still be yes.

Even the standard 2.0 turbo four-cylinder engine can tow small trailers. If you are thinking of going with the standard engine, then we would recommend checking out some teardrop trailers.

 However, if you want to ensure that you will be able to tow all kinds of trailers then the 3.5 L V6 engine is your best bet. This is because even the heaviest trailers are around 4,000 lbs; however, we do not recommend pushing your Chevy Traverse to the limit. A good rule of thumb is to keep the load about 20 percent to thirty-five percent below your vehicle’s towing capacity.

Are RVs and Campers the Same? | Different Types of Campers 

Imagine this. You are driving down the street and you see a giant trailer-like vehicle being towed. You think to yourself, “well that’s a nice…” and then your mind goes blank. Is it an RV? Or is it a camper? What does RV even stand for anyway?

These are all great questions and trust us when we say you are not the first, and certainly are not the last to ask these questions.

Many people seem to get campers and recreational vehicles (RVs) confused and we can understand why. At first glance, they both seem very similar but they also have some differences well.

For example, when people refer to recreational vehicles, the majority of the time they mean a motor vehicle or a trailer equipped with some of the amenities of home. Think of the term, “home-away-from-home” here.

For campers, they are referring to trailers that are towed by trucks, or sometimes campers even ride on the back of trucks. Campers consist of trailer trailers, truck campers, popups, and much more.

Different Types of Campers

• Pop-up Trailer
  • Size: 8 to 16 (length in feet).
  • Weight: 600 lbs to 4,000 lbs.
  • Pop-up trailers are also known as smaller versions of your classic travel trailers.
  • Pop-up trailers are quite easy to set up and work with. Pop-up trailers require simple ball hitches on the bumpers of their tow vehicle. This is done to ensure that the weight distribution is even.
  • Pop-up trailers are usually more compact and weigh less than full luxury campers.
  • Think of pop-up trailers as a mix between tents and trailers.
  • Pop-up trailers can fold into an easy streamline fabric when they are not in use. When they are in use, their flaps from the side can fold out. These extensions contain beds and create a living space for camping. These fold-out flaps are usually covered with layers of the canvas but some could also be fabric. This ensures that they stay flexible as well as create airflow. This is especially important if all the windows are opened.
  • Pop-up trailers are great for people who prefer the comforts of a trailer but they also want the flexibility and openness of tent camping.

• Teardrop Trailer
  • Size: 4 to 6 (length in feet)
  • Weight: 520 lbs to 2,500 lbs.
  • Teardrop trailers are one of those items that you either hate or you love. Most people look at a teardrop trailer and find it quite charming but they might not think that it is practical.
  • However, teardrop trailers are a great option if you have a car that has a lower towing capacity because they are normally on the lighter side.
  • Teardrop trailers are sometimes called miniature travel trailers due to their size and they are very easy to tow with just about any type of vehicle.
  • Despite their small size, it does not mean that teardrop trailers are not tough and useful though. This is because teardrop trailers come in many different forms and sizes. Some teardrop trailers have various fold-outs and extensions-these make them ideal for outdoor cooking. While other teardrop trailers are great because they maximize their storage space to double as both storage as well as equipment haulers. Last but not least, some teardrop trailers even offer a great amount of sleeping space.
  • There is rarely a problem with towing capacity (because they are on the lighter end) and the payload when it comes to teardrop trailers because their weight does not rest on the bed of the tow vehicle.

In Conclusion | Is the Chevy Traverse the car for you?

The Chevy Traverse is a great midsize SUV with many great features, and one of them is its towing capacity. However, how much the Chevy Traverse can tow does vary since it depends on what kind of model you opt to go with. Some models will give you as little as 1,500 lbs while others as much as 5,000 lbs.

If the sole reason you are checking out the Chevy Traverse is due to its towing capabilities then you will have to opt for the models that are able to tow heavier items. However, even the models that can only tow 1,500 lbs should not be looked down upon. Many trailers weigh in between 500 lbs and 1,000 lbs.

Before you decide which Chevy Traverse model you should buy or if you are even considering buying a Chevy Traverse, you should first decide what kind of trailer you want. Look at its weight as well as its pricing and then you will be able to decide which vehicle and model are right for you.

Lastly, we want to note how important it is to stay at least (and we do mean at least) 20 percent to 35 percent below your maximum tow capacity. This means that just because the model of your Chevy Traverse is able to two 5,000 lbs does not mean that you should try to make it tow 5,000 lbs worth of weight.

Does it mean that it cannot handle it? No, but it is important to note that this is the maximum and if possible to not push it to that limit. This is important because it will create a safety margin for yourself and those around you.