I've been researching RVs and TT's for over a year and have finally decided I'm happy in the Airstream 23 ft Serenity. Now I need a vehicle to tow it and came upon the Chevy Traverse which seems like it would theoretically work. Has anyone actually used this vehicle for towing that much weight?

The Serenity is 4800 pounds curb weight before you put so much as a pair of undies in it. That's within 200 pounds of the Traverse's 5,000 pound capacity.Since many folks use an average planning number of 1,000 pounds of added weight to trailer payload once ready-to-travel, I'm thinkin' you're not going to be hearing from a lot of Traverse owners with the kind of towing experience you're looking for.

Well depends on ACTUAL fully loaded TT weight, and year and options on Chevy. In 2013 the Traverse is rated for minimum 2000#, max 5200# tow weight. Thus tongue weight VEHICLE spec is likely 520# at best. You want 13% to 15% of the FULLY LOADED TT WEIGHT on the tongue. Thus the max TT weight fully loaded is 4000#. Seems very light for a 23 ft TT to me. Make sure you check ALL specs. What is the TT GVWR?

You'll have lots of responses for and against, mostly against. It is certainly doable. Not to open another can of worms on the subject but I would highly recommend talking to Andy at Can Am Rv in London Ontario. He is an expert at setting up all sorts of vehicles to tow Airstreams with. Not everyone agrees with his methods but he is highly knowledgeable and people come from around the world for his advice.You can search on here for posts or go to www.canamrv.ca or call direct at 1-866-226-2678I am not tied to these people in any way but have used their services in the past and have spoken with many customers who have nothing but good things to say.

I am all for towing small, but I think you are a bit too small for that trailer. Could it be done with a struggle? Probably. I would suggest something a little smaller/lighter.

ChooChooMan74 wrote:I am all for towing small, but I think you are a bit too small for that trailer. Could it be done with a struggle? Probably. I would suggest something a little smaller/lighter.Or since you haven't purchased TV yet you might want to consider something a little bigger. If you were looking at a new Traverse then maybe consider a 1-2 year old Tahoe for around the same money. I think you would be better off not only of the room in the Tahoe but also in how it would tow that trailer.

How is the Chevy Traverse towing 5000 lbs? | Good Sam Community

spikez
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
We have a 2012 Chevy Traverse with the factory tow package and currently tow a 14 ft Coleman TT. It is under 3000 lbs unloaded and is towed without difficulty. We would like to upgrade to a 19 ft Keystone premier TT with an unloaded weight of 4200 lbs. With the 5200 tow capacity on the traverse is this cutting it too close for safe and comfortable towing. Only two passengers in the traverse. Thanks for any feedback from those on the site.
limbery
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
I pull a 3300lb (dry) TT with my '13 Enclave... In my experience towing over the years, I'd say that I wouldn't want to tow anything heavier with this vehicle... I'd say it's pretty much maxxed out and I only tow at top speed at around 65 mph but usually well under 60... and yes, it's only rated at 4500lbs. max weight.... but like the previous article mentions, it sure rides nice and smooth and quiet...
beermanjoe
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
They pulled the space shuttle with a Toyota Tundra. Just because they done it, doesn`t make it right!
Road_Ruler
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
beermanjoe wrote:
Road Ruler wrote:
Note the Traverse and the Enclave are the same.

Post #15 sums up the topic perfectly

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463/suburbans-escalades-going-to-fwd-46193-2.html
#22 sums it up even better!

Hummm. Accolades goes to real world experience as in post #15 not questionable numbers and speculation as in post #22.
beermanjoe
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
Road Ruler wrote:
Note the Traverse and the Enclave are the same.

Post #15 sums up the topic perfectly

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463/suburbans-escalades-going-to-fwd-46193-2.html
#22 sums it up even better!
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
pig78 wrote:
Used my wife's 2007 Outlook (Saturn's version of the Traverse) to tow trailer with band gear, some extras, and luggage and 6 adults in the car with luggage behind rear seat. Trailer wieghed in at 2700#. Back end car set perfectly level. Towed like a dream. My only caution is the transmission. Doubt it had anything to do with towing since we only did that once, tranny went out 6 months later, and had also been repaired before we towed with it. I bring up the tranny issue because that year model had transmission issues to begin with. I'd make sure that those issues were worked out in later models only because if there's already known issues, then towing could exacerbate them. If there's no known tranny issues, IMO, you shouldn't have a problem. Just keep up the maintenance.
P.S. Didn't even notice a difference in driving between just me and my wife, and a full car load with 2700# trailer on back.
Hmmm so 2700lb 8 and 10ft popups are ideal, not 5000lb are you nuts full height travel trailers:B
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
sayoung wrote:
We own an all-wheel drive Traverse and we like the car but we wouldn't tow a golf cart trailer with it.Get a Tahoe or Avalanche is my suggestion or like us,Duramax dually for the tow jobs and the Traverse to go out to eat.
Road_Ruler
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
Note the Traverse and the Enclave are the same.

Post #15 sums up the topic perfectly

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463/suburbans-escalades-going-to-fwd-46193-2.html
pig78
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
poppin_fresh wrote:
bikendan wrote:
i don't quite understand the attraction some have for the Traverse as a tow vehicle, especially compared to the Tahoe.

Traverse- mpg is 17/24
Tahoe- mpg is 15/21

Traverse tow capacity- 5200lbs. with a 150lb. driver
Tahoe tow capacity- up to 8500lbs. with a 150lb. driver

the Tahoe gives more room and much more towing capacity, for only 2-3 miles per gallon less. plus it's ladder frame construction vs. the unibody construction of the Traverse.

I know for me it was the $10,000 price difference.

I didnt have plans on pulling a huge TT at the time I leased the Traverse, but it does ok with what I now have. I will be going back to a truck once I'm done with rear facing car seats, although they aren't much under the $40,000 mark these days. :(

For my wife and I it was the price difference also. We would've preferred a Tahoe, but even used it was out of reach for year/mileage/options we were looking for. We were, however, aware of the negligible difference in mileage. We opted for the Outlook because it would serve our need for towing certain things if needed. I do have a Dodge half ton for larger items. That being said, I've seen several Traverses/Outlooks/Acadias towing campers in the 20-25 range as well as car haulers with their toys on them. I still stand by the transmission as being the weak link on certain years.
poppin_fresh
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
bikendan wrote:
i don't quite understand the attraction some have for the Traverse as a tow vehicle, especially compared to the Tahoe.

Traverse- mpg is 17/24
Tahoe- mpg is 15/21

Traverse tow capacity- 5200lbs. with a 150lb. driver
Tahoe tow capacity- up to 8500lbs. with a 150lb. driver

the Tahoe gives more room and much more towing capacity, for only 2-3 miles per gallon less. plus it's ladder frame construction vs. the unibody construction of the Traverse.

I know for me it was the $10,000 price difference.

I didnt have plans on pulling a huge TT at the time I leased the Traverse, but it does ok with what I now have. I will be going back to a truck once I'm done with rear facing car seats, although they aren't much under the $40,000 mark these days. :(