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2012 towing guide cover Layout 1 12/12/11 1:10 PM Page 1NE THAROM007GS!NITSLIA Supplement toSelecting a Tow Vehicle Hitching BasicsTowing Tips Trailer-Brake Controllers
2012 towing guide toc Layout 1 12/12/11 2:22 PM Page 4CONTENTS6Choose WiselySelecting the tow vehicle that works best for yourneeds requires careful consideration of weights,measures and drivetrains10 Towing 2012Manufacturers opt for a long list of ugrades ratherthan radical changes16 How to Use This Guide18 2012 Tow Ratings Guide28 The Basics of HitchingExamining the various types of hitches, their usesand maintenance techniques33 Trailer-Brake ControlLatest technology improves safety, reliability andstopping power36 Towing PackagesWhat’s included on these vital tow-vehicle options?40 Towing TipsPatience, practice and defensive driving add upto a pleasant towing experienceEDITORIALPublisher Bob LivingstonEditor Kristopher BunkerManaging Editor Laura MichaelsAssociate Editor Amanda LepinskiConsulting Editor John PrusakCREATIVEArt Director Rick DamienEDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001Call (805) 667-4100, Fax (805) 667-4484Email info@trailerlife.comADVERTISINGVentura, CaliforniaVP/National Sales Terry ThompsonP.O. Box 8510, Ventura, CA 93002Tel (805) 667-4100, Fax (805) 667-4379Elkhart, IndianaTacy Hendershot (772) 0288-0387Lou Cicirelli (954) 297-9234Seattle, WashingtonScott Oakes (206) 283-9545John Marciano (206) 235-75551818 Westlake Avenue N, #420Seattle, WA 98109Tel (206) 283-9545, Fax (206) 283-9571Detroit, MichiganCrompton Holdings Scott Crompton2031 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103scottcrompton@mac.comTel (334) 546-7243, Fax (334) 356-77402012 GUIDE TOTOWING SPONSORSFord Motor Company(800) 392-3673www.ford.comKZRV LP(800) 768-4016www.kz-rv.comtowing photos by Rich Cox Photography4 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE
2012 towing guide choosing vehicle Layout 1 12/12/11 11:47 AM Page 6CHOOSE WISELYBy Duncan O’NealKeeping within manufacturer-assigned tow ratings is criticalin making the appropriate model and option choicesThere are many variables to considerwhen selecting the proper tow vehiclefor your application. Among them arebudget, brand and towing capacity — and it’simportant to examine them all carefully beforemaking a purchase. Going through the effortto better understand each variable and to account for all of them up front will lead to amore pleasant trailering experience.WEIGHTThe tow-ratings guide in this section liststhe maximum tow ratings for vehicles withspecific equipment, but many buyers interpretthe maximum vehicles’ tow ratings with fartoo much optimism. Always check the manufacturer’s figures before making a purchase.The following is an explanation of the termsyou need to know which, when combinedwith readings from a public scale and fromyour own calculator, should help you determine the correct tow rating for the tow vehicleyou plan to buy.6 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDEGross Combination Weight Rating(gcwr): The total allowable weight of the towvehicle, the trailer, the cargo in each, hitchhardware, fluids and occupants.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (gvwr):The total allowable weight for the vehicle, including occupants, fluids, options, hitch hardware, cargo and trailer-hitch weight.Gross Axle Weight Rating (gawr): Thetotal allowable weight on an individual axle.This includes the weight of the tires, wheels,brakes and the axle itself.Maximum Tow Rating: The manufacturer’s weight limit for towed loads. For conventional trailers, this normally includes a hitchweight limit as well; for fifth-wheels, the pinweight is applied to the truck’s gvwr and itsrear-axle gawr.MATCHING UP THE TOWVEHICLE AND TRAILERThe gvwr and gawr for all motor vehiclesare listed on the data plate, typically affixed to
2012 towing guide choosing vehicle Layout 1 12/12/11 11:48 AM Page 7the driver’s door frame, fuel door, glove box,end of the dashboard or other easy-to-accesslocation. Brochures and window stickers maybe inaccurate; always look for the data plate.All trailers should have a weight sticker on theleft front side wall. There should also be asticker in an interior cabinet that lists the trailer’s unloaded vehicle weight (uvw), gvwr,weight added by freshwater and LP-gas andthe resulting cargo carrying capacity (ccc).In many cases, especially on older trailers,optional equipment — such as air-conditioning units and AC generators — sneaks onboard after weighing, and may not be reflected on the sticker. (And don’t forget the fuel-filltanks that some SURVs offer for campsite refueling of motorcycles and ATVs.)Recreational Vehicle Industry Association(RVIA) weight label requirements are more inclusive of dealer-added options and make itmuch easier for buyers to have access to moreaccurate weight figures.The gvwr figures are neither guidelines norestimates; they are limits, and there are numerous valid reasons the manufacturer arrived atthese figures. If you think the figures are“close enough” or have a fudge-factor percentage built in, think again. Your warrantycoverage, and your safety, may be at risk.The only surefire way to find out what yourtrailer weighs is to load it as usual for a trip andweigh it at a public scale. There you can getthe hitch weight, axle weight and total weight.Assuming that the axle weight is lower thanthe gawr, the total is within the gvwr and thehitch weight is lower than the maximum givenfor your tow vehicle, you can then move on totow-vehicle selection.When purchasing a trailer, consult theweight sticker on the unit of your choice on adealer’s lot and refer to the uvw and ccc.Estimate how much cargo you will add,being mindful of the gvwr, and use that number while selecting a tow vehicle.To a lesser extent, tow-vehicle weight isvariable as well. Brochures and tow guides frequently list how much a tow vehicle weighs,but this number generally applies to the mostbasic model in that configuration, without anyoptions. In some cases, distinctions are madeby engine, transmission, drive system (2WD or4WD/AWD) and, in other cases, by cab or bedstyles. If the dealer does not have a vehicleequipped as you want that is available toweigh, or cannot provide option weights, youcan form rough estimates — but exact figuresare the only way to be certain.Bigger engines add weight, diesels more sobecause they come with additional accessories(up to 700 pounds more than the standard gasengine is common). Add up to 175 pounds foran optional transmission, about 400 poundsfor 4WD and a bit less than 300 pounds forlonger beds. Then add other options like luxury-trim levels, as all those electric motors addup. The towing package and hitch could addanother 100 pounds, and larger wheels andtires can also have an effect.FOR EXAMPLEHere is an example of how to calculate therealistic towing capacity of a vehicle. For example, consider a fictional one-ton longbed,diesel, extended-cab, 2WD, single-rear-wheelpickup set up for towing. We’ll arbitrarily assign it a gvwr of 9,900 pounds, a front gawr of5,000 pounds, a rear gawr of 6,824 pounds, agcwr of 23,000 pounds and a quoted maximum tow rating of 17,000 pounds.As is often the case in single-rear-wheelTRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE 7
2012 towing guide choosing vehicle Layout 1 12/12/11 2:24 PM Page 8CHOOSE WISELYtrucks, the rear axle’s gawr on this truck is derived from each tire’s maximum load of 3,412pounds. Pickups such as this normally start atmore than 6,000 pounds, and with a diesel,automatic and nice trim, figure that with a fulltank of fuel and hitch, this unit weighs at least7,000 pounds. If we add two “standard-size”people (154 pounds each), a few tools andsome cargo, it weighs 7,500 pounds. That issplit to 4,000 pounds on the front axle, and3,500 pounds on the rear axle.The first thing you should have noticed isthat the maximum tow rating cannot applywith the truck fully loaded because gcwr(23,000) minus gvwr (9,900) leaves 13,100pounds — about 4,000 pounds less than quoted towing ability. After adding options and people to the example truck, and subtracting thatvalue (7,500) from gcwr (23,000), the effectiveworking tow rating of the truck becomes15,500 pounds, about 1,500 pounds less thanthe truck’s quoted maximum towing rating.However, you have yet to check all thenumbers and verify that a 15,500-pound trailer will work. If that trailer is a fifth-wheel andhas 20 percent of its weight on the pin, thatadds 3,100 pounds to the back of the truck.This would make the truck overweight — its7,500-pound ready-to-roll weight plus the3,100 pounds on the pin equals 10,600pounds — 700 pounds more than the truck’sgvwr, and just 224 pounds shy of the rear-axlelimit of 6,824 pounds.SUVs and other non-pickup tow rigs cannotescape scrutiny. The vehicle’s loaded weight,with the anticipated load of passengersaboard, must be subtracted from the gcwr todetermine the realistic tow rating.OTHER FACTORSThe tow-ratings chart in this publication listsMost automatictransmissions offerincreased towingratings overtheir manualcounterparts.To be sure, alwayscheck with themanufacturer.8 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDEvehicle-towing maximums segregated by engine, cab style, drive and single- or dual-rearwheels as appropriate. In general, assume themaximum tow rating always requires a towingpackage — and special towing equipment (see“Towing Packages,” beginning on page 36) —and the highest numerical axle ratio offered,and as the example shows, maximums can beconfusing. You can do your own estimates bystarting with the information given and keeping the following generalizations in mind.Transmission: For the majority of vehicles,automatic transmissions offer the higher towratings when they vary by transmission. Onheavy-duty (HD) models, the difference may be1,000 pounds or less, and on lighter-duty vehicles, a manual tranny might rate a 2,000pound lower tow rating. Exceptions includehigh-output engines that are available onlywith manual gearboxes, vehicles where themanual transmission weighs more than the automatic and transmissions in vehicles designedfor high performance and not towing.Axle Ratio: Lower gearing (the numericallyhigher ratios, e.g. 4.10:1, 4.56:1, as opposedto 3.31:1, 3.42:1), typically produces greatertow ratings because of greater torque multiplication. There is a wide variance in the axleratio’s effect on the tow rating, with somediesel-powered pickups varying only a fewhundred pounds; on others, changing from a3.73:1 to a 4.30:1 sometimes increases thetow rating by 3,500 pounds. In the past, someratings have increased by a factor greater thanthree (from 2,000 to 7,100 pounds) simply byusing a different axle ratio. Lower gearing willalso make your vehicle accelerate quicker upto 50-55 mph. In general, a one-step drop inaxle ratio (4.10:1 to 3.73:1) on an HD pickupwill drop tow rating and gcwr by a ton.Lower gearing has an adverse effect on fuel
2012 towing guide choosing vehicle Layout 1 12/12/11 11:41 AM Page 9economy, but it’s usually not proportional tothe gain in towing ability. Under the best circumstances, the difference between the highest and lowest gear ratios offered (say, 3.42:1and 4.10:1) results in a 1.5-mpg decrease innon-towing, steady state-highway cruising. Inmost normal conditions that change is lessthan 1 mpg, and if you tow a relatively heavytrailer a lot, there’s no question that the lowestgearing is best.Drive System: Vehicles that drive only twowheels, be they front or rear, generally havehigher tow ratings (all other things beingequal). Even though modern 4WD and AWDsystems are quite efficient, a small amount ofparasitic loss uses up energy. More importantly, 4WD systems add weight — easily up to400 pounds on some HD pickups — and thatweight frequently comes off the tow rating.Unless the gcwr and gvwr are higher, a 4WDversion will probably tow a few hundredpounds less than its 2WD counterpart.Towing Package: If you can order a towing package, do so. Not only is it usually required to get the top tow rating, but the contents rarely can be duplicated for the originalcost — and it will add to resale value. You canplainly see the hitch receiver or electrical receptacle, but there are often other changes to thewiring system (including up-rated wire andfuses), alternator, battery, cooling system,power steering and lubricants. In some cases,integrated brake controllers and fifth-wheelhitches are also offered.Bed Length/Style: If there’s a difference, alongbed truck may rate slightly lower in towcapacity — about 150-250 pounds — becausethe longer bed adds weight. In other casesthere is no change because the longer wheelbase is beneficial. Note that the more “styled”beds marketed under a variety of names typically are heavier than conventional slab-sidedbeds, and that cab-and-chassis figures do notreflect any bed unless otherwise noted. A steelbed for a medium-duty cab-and-chassis couldquickly eat up an entire ton of its gcwr.Single or Dual Rear Wheels: Most peopleassume that a dually pickup will have a highertow rating than a single-rear-wheel unit, butthis is not always so. In many cases the gcwr islimited by factors other than the number of rearwheels and does not change, and in those casesthe weight of the wider axle, bigger brakes andtwo more tires and wheels is subtracted fromthe gcwr. The dually no doubt provides a morestable towing platform for the heavier trailers, although not always with the highest towrating. A dually will have a higher gvwr becausethe dual-wheel rear axle might have a 10,000pound gawr, for example, compared to the single-rear-wheel truck’s 6,824-pound gawr. Gawris not always an exact calculation of the tire capacity times the number of tires. A duallyequipped truck will be better for hauling aheavy slide-in truck camper and handling heavyfifth-wheel pin weights because of the weightconcentrated on the rear axle as compared tothe conventional trailer’s hitch weight.Tires: Wheel sizes continue to grow commensurate with their popularity, with some towvehicles offering 20-inch wheels as factory options. However, using a larger wheel and lowerprofile tire means a smaller air cushion andlower tire sidewall, to the extent that tow ratingsgenerally drop whenever the wheel size increases — and ride comfort can be compromised.Read the fine print on the packaging carefully.RESEARCHBefore purchasing any vehicle for towing, ensure that the equipment required is availablefor your vehicle. You may find that the newkid-on-the-block is a very capable tow vehicle,but no one makes a fifth-wheel hitch for it.(Ford remedied this quandary on 2011 SuperDuty trucks; GM also offers a fifth-wheel saddle-ready option). Also beware of hitch-balland receiver ratings, as some trucks are ratedfor heavier loads than any easily found hardware can handle, and therefore may requirespecial-order parts.Before purchasing a vehicle, we suggestyou acquire the manufacturer’s comprehensivetowing guide, available online or at dealerships. Be sure to read the fine print because inmany cases the maximum rating may applyonly to one particular version and be for afifth-wheel trailer; many larger pickups mayhave their actual tow rating limited by thehitch and hardware. qTRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE 9
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 12:26 PM Page 10TOWING 2012By Chris HemerIt’s a long list of steady improvement rather thanradical change for this year’s crop of tow vehiclesEvery year, RVers wait with eageranticipation to see what the latest cropof trucks and SUVs will have to offer —whether it’s increased capacity, revisedstyling, new features or any combination ofall of the above. And while many years havebrought all-new vehicles, engines or othermajor news, 2012 is a year of gradual improvement rather than radical change. Considering Ford, Dodge and GM have all recently introduced new or significantly revisedtrucks in the last couple of years, we’re notlikely to see anything earth-shattering for alittle while, at least.That’s not to say that there isn’t still a lot to10 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDEtalk about. Domestic and foreign auto manufacturers have still managed to make 2012exciting with greater capacity, more featuresand enhanced capability. So if you’re lookingfor a new tow vehicle, this can still be youryear.As usual, we’re only going to cover vehicles from the major manufacturers, and onlythose that have undergone meaningfulchanges that could potentially improve yourtowing/outdoor experience — a minor exteriorrevision or new interior treatment doesn’tmake the cut.So, without further delay, we bring you thelatest and greatest for 2012.
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 12:23 PM Page 11Ford’s EcoBoost usesdirect-injection andturbocharging in agas engine, resultingin more power andminimal turbo lag.TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE 11
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 2:33 PM Page 12TOWING 2012FORD MOTOR COMPANYThe crown jewel of Ford, the F-150, enters2012 with several new technologies and driveline upgrades, including hill-start assist and theaddition of neutral tow capability on all 4 4models, making them easier to flat-tow behind a motorhome. An optional electroniclocking rear axle replaces most of the limitedslip offerings on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and12 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE5.0-liter engines, and is available on 2WD and4WD models in a range of gear ratios. Finally,last year’s electronic shift-on-the-fly has beenreplaced with a two-speed automatic 4x4 system on Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trimlevels. The system still features four high andfour low modes, but now also offers a 4 4auto mode. As for visual enhancements, the F150 is now available with an FX appearance
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 2:32 PM Page 13Super Duty is largely carryover for 2012, but anenhanced hitch receiver and frame upgradesenable best-in-class travel-trailer tow ratings of17,500 pounds on F-350 and F-450 modelswith dual rear wheels. Fifth-wheel ratingsmove up to 22,700 pounds for the F-350 dually, and 24,500 pounds for the F-450. The FordRanger, after years of neglect, has finally beenlaid to rest.CHRYSLER CORPORATIONThe Ram 1500 continues to improve for 2012with a new six-speed automatic transmissionwith Electronic Range Select and a new, moreefficient torque converter. A segment-exclusivecoil-spring, multilink rear-suspension arrangement promises car-like ride and handling, andthe 5.7-liter HEMI engine now produces 390hp and 407 lb-ft of torque, along with 20-mpghighway fuel economy. The days of three orfour trim levels are gone. For 2012, the Ram1500 is offered in 11 models: Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T,Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie and LaramieLonghorn, all of which are available with a factory spray-in bedliner. Other cool available features include the highly touted Rambox, infloor storage bins and segment firsts like surround-sound audio, heated and ventilatedfront seats and heated rear seats. Standardsafety features include ABS, stability control,hill-start assist and trailer-sway control. If youwork as hard as you play, the new TradesmanHD model may be of particular interest to you;it boasts an 11,500-pound maximum trailerrating and a 3,100-pound payload, more thanany other half-ton truck, according to Chrysler.TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE 13photos courtesy of the manufacturerspackage on the FX4 and FX2 trucks. Featuringflat-black accents, unique badges and exclusive interior treatments, the most noticeablefeature of the FX package will likely be the flatblack, six-spoke 20-inch wheels. An FX luxurypackage, meanwhile, now offers cooled frontseats, which combine with the previouslyavailable heated seats. The off-road ready F150 SVT Raptor gets a new Torsen front differential and a class-exclusive, patent-pendingfront camera that will enable off-road driversto see what’s in front of them, even when thedriver’s view might be blocked. The F-Series
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 2:32 PM Page 14TOWING 2012The bad news? It’s only available one way:4 2, regular cab with an 8-foot bed. The Ram2500 and 3500 models may not have as muchto report, but what they offer is still significant.The standard HEMI gas V-8 gets a new sixspeed automatic transmission, and the available6.7-liter Cummins engine pounds out 350 hpand 800 lb-ft of torque, yet meets 50-stateemissions requirements without the need forpesky diesel exhaust fluid. It also comes with astandard exhaust brake. And a new Ram 3500Max Tow package features a 22,750-poundtrailer rating just in case you move up to aquad-slide fifth-wheel some day. The DodgeDakota is no longer with us.14 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDEGENERAL MOTORSNot much to report on the ChevySilverado/GMC Sierra 1500 front, save forsome minor exterior updates, new colors andthe addition of hard-drive navigation radios.More meaningful for RVers is the addition ofelectronic trailer-sway control and hill-start assist to the standard StabiliTrak stability controlsystem. The Sierra/Silverado HD underwentsignificant revisions last year, so not much haschanged for 2012 — unless you’ve got somevery heavy hauling to do. A beefed up trailerhitch receiver now bestows the 3500 duallywith a stratospheric 18,000-pound tow ratingfor conventional trailers, and up to 23,000
2012 towing guide towing Layout 1 12/12/11 2:34 PM Page 15pounds for a fifth-wheel, thanks to enhancements to the pickup box sills and structure, leafsprings, U-bolts and box mounts.The Chevy Colorado will formally be discontinuedafter the 2012 model year, to be followed by anew Colorado, based on an all-new midsize truckarchitecture developed by GM do Brasil withinGM’s global product development organization.Launch date is yet unknown at press time.TOYOTAThe Toyota Tundra, having recently beennamed the Most Dependable Large Pickup forthe sixth year in a row in the 2011 J.D. Powerand Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, isessentially carryover for 2012. The nation’sbest-selling compact pickup, Toyota Tacoma,however, has undergone several cosmeticchanges for 2012 including a redesignedhood, grille, headlamps and front bumper,plus interior updates. But the bigger news isthe Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series Limited Edition (we’ll just call it the Baja) that pays homage to Toyota’s Baja racing heritage. At presstime, the Baja was undergoing final testing forapplication on both the Tacoma Access andDouble Cab 4x4 models equipped with theTRD Off-Road Package. Expansion into the PreRunner 2WD models is also being considered,according to Toyota. Equipped with a 4.0-literV-6 and either a six-speed manual or five-speedautomatic transmission, the Baja will featureTRD Off-Road Package goodies like an electronically locking rear differential, Active Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist Control andDownhill Assist Control. Plus there are Baja-exclusive features like BF Goodrich T/A KO tireson bead-lock-style off-road wheels, TRD catback exhaust, increased front end ride height,Bilstein race shocks on all four corners andunique Baja Series graphics. One final notethat’s worth mentioning: Toyota is still the onlymanufacturer to have adopted SAE standardJ2807 (which the company adopted last year),a new standard for measuring the towing capability of vehicles. As such, Toyota’s tow ratings may appear lower than they were a coupleof years ago, but the capacity of the vehicles remains the same. Expect to see similar changesto everyone else’s ratings next year when J2807is supposed to officially go into effect. qTRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE 15
2012 towing guide how to use Layout 1 12/12/11 11:57 AM Page 16HOW TO USE THIS GUIDETow ratings for all vehicle manufacturersare listed in alphabetical order, and areorganized by model type and configuration. In most instances, you will find a letter (orletters) which identify the equipment that therating is based on, i.e. automatic or manualtransmission, gear ratio, towing package, etc.You will find the meaning for each of these letters in the “Key to Charts” section on page 18.If there is no letter after the rating, thatmeans there is only one rating available. Likewise, you may find the word “all” in the engine column; that means all available enginesare capable of that particular tow rating.Because each manufacturer lists its vehiclesdifferently, we have found it necessary tomake some changes in an effort to keep thisguide consistent and concise. For example,Ram trucks are listed with separate tow ratings for each trim level; while we understand16 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDEthat equipment adds weight and therefore reduces towing capacity, we simply don’t haveroom to publish separate ratings based on a50-pound weight difference. Likewise, GMdoesn’t have separate conventional and fifthwheel tow ratings, and instead simply indicates a separate rating for models that areequipped to tow a fifth-wheel. So in the GMsection, you’ll note that some models havetwo ratings separated by a slash; the first rating is for conventional towing, the second isfor fifth-wheel towing.Where applicable, we’ve also included relevant manufacturer’s notes for a particular vehicle or model line, but always check withyour dealer for details on the model you planto purchase, including tow rating, payload capacity, gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr),gross combination weight rating (gcwr) andgross axle weight ratings (gawr). q
2012 towing guide ratings Layout 1 12/12/11 12:13 PM Page 182012 TOW RATKEY TO CHARTSa Automatic Transmissiona4 Automatic transmission, Four Speedsa5 Automatic transmission, Five Speedsa6 Automatic transmission, Six Speedsm Manual Transmissionm5 Manual Transmission, Five Speedsm6 Manual Transmission, Six Speedsj 3.92:1k 4.10:1l 4.30:1n 4.44:1o 4.56:1q 4.88:1r 5.38:1b 3.08:1c 3.15:1d 3.21:1e 3.23:1f 3.31:1g 3.42:1h 3.55:1i 3.73:1p Cooling or other accessory package requiredt Towing package requiredVEHICLEENGINESRW Single Rear WheelsCV Cargo VanPV Passenger VanTD Turbo DieselTC TurbochargedSC SuperchargedNA Not applicable,or not availableA forward slash (/) denotes either/or; comma indicates morethan one footnote applies.TOW LIMIT (lb)ACURAMDXAWD All-Wheel DriveCC Crew CabKC King CabSB ShortbedStd Bed Standard BedLB LongbedSWB Short WheelbaseLWB Long WheelbaseDRW Dual Rear Wheels3.7L V-65,000AUDIEscalade ESV AWD6.2L V-87,700Escalade EXT AWD6.2L V-87,600Escalade Two Mode Hybrid 2WD6.0L V-85,800Escalade Two Mode Hybrid 4WD6.0L V-85,600SRX AWD3.0L V-62,500SRX AWD3.0L V-63,500 (t)Q5All4,400SRX FWD3.0L V-62,500Q7All5,500*SRX FWD3.0L V-63,500 (t)Q73.6L V-66,600 (t)CHEVROLET/GMC* With dealer-installed hitchBMWAvalanche 1500 2WD5.3L V-85,100 (b)Avalanche 1500 2WD5.3L V-85,600 (g)X3 2.8i3.0L I-63,500Avalanche 1500 2WD5.3L V-88,100 (g,p)X5 3.5i3.0L I-66,000Avalanche 1500 4WD5.3L V-85,000 (b)X5 3.5i4.8L V-86,000Avalanche 1500 4WD5.3L V-85,500 (g)X535d3.0 I-6 TD6,000Avalanche 1500 4WD5.3L V-88,000 (g,p)X55.0i4.4L V-86,000Traverse/Acadia FWD3.6L V-62,000X635i3.0L I-66,000Traverse/Acadia FWD3.6L V-65,200 (t)X650i4.4L V-86,000Traverse/Acadia AWD3.6L V-62,000Traverse/Acadia AWD3.6L V-65,200 (t)BUICKColorado/Canyon Reg Cab 2WD2.9L I-43,400 (a,i)Enclave FWD3.6L V-62,000Colorado/Canyon Reg Cab 2WD2.9L I-42,400 (m,i)Enclave FWD3.6L V-64,500 (t)Colorado/Canyon Reg Cab 2WD3.7L I-54,000 (a,i)Enclave AWD3.6L V-62,000Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 2WD2.9L I-43,200 (a,i)Enclave AWD3.6L V-64500 (t)Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 2WD2.9L I-42,200 (m,i)CADILLACColorado/Canyon Ext Cab 2WD3.7L I-55,500 (a,i)Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 2WD5.3L V-86,000 (a,g/i)Escalade 2WD6.2L V-88,300Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 2WD5.3L V-84,000 (a,g*)Escalade AWD6.2L V-88,100Colorado/Canyon CC 2WD2.9L I-43,000 (a,i)Escalade ESV 2WD6.2L V-88,000Colorado/Canyon CC 2WD2.9L I-42,100 (m,i)18 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE
2012 towing guide ratings Layout 1 12/12/11 12:13 PM Page 19ATINGS GUIDEColorado/Canyon CC 2WD3.7L I-55,500 (a,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD4.8L V-84,700 (e)Colorado/Canyon CC 2WD5.3L V-86,000 (a,g/i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD4.8L V-87,200 (i)Colorado/Canyon CC 2WD5.3L V-83,800 (a,g*)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-86,600 (b)Colorado/Canyon Reg Cab 4WD2.9L I-43,100 (a,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-87,400 (b,p)Colorado/Canyon Reg Cab 4WD2.9L I-42,100 (m,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-89,100 (g,p)Colorado/Canyon Reg Cab 4WD3.7L I-54,000 (a,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 4WD4.3L V-65,100 (i)Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 4WD2.9L I-42,900 (a,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 4WD4.8L V-86,000 (g)Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 4WD3.7L I-55,500 (a,i)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 4WD5.3L V-86,400 (b)Colorado/Canyon Ext Cab 4WD* Sport suspension5.3L V-86,000 (a,g/k)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 4WD5.3L V-87,100 (b,p)1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 4WD5.3L V-88,900 (g,p)Colorado/Canyon CC 4WD3.7L I-55,500 (a,i)Colorado/Canyon CC 4WD5.3L V-86,000 (a,g/k)Equinox/TerrainSilverado/Sierra 1500 Ext Cab, Std BedConventional/Fifth-Wheel Towing3.0 V-63,500Express/Savana 1500 SWB CV 2WD 4.3L V-64,3001500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD4.3L V-64,400 (e)Express/Savana 1500 SWB CV 2WD 5.3L V-86,700 (g/i)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD4.8L V-84,700 (e)Express/Savana 1500 SWB CV AWD 5.3L V-86,5001500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD4.8L V-86,700 (i)Express/Savana 1500 SWB PV 2WD 5.3L V-86,2001500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-86,200 (b)Express/Savana 1500 SWB PV AWD 5.3L V-86,0001500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-86,900 (b,p)Express/Savana 2500 SWB CV 2WD 4.8L V-87,400 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD5.3L V-89,700/9,400 (g,p)Express/Savana 2500 SWB CV 2WD 6.0L V-810,000 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD6.2L V-89,700/9,400 (g,p)10,0001500 Ext Cab Std Bed 2WD6.2L V-810,700/10,600 (i,t)Express/Savana 2500 SWB PV 2WD 6.0L V-86,700 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 4WD4.8L V-85,500 (g)Express/Savana 2500 SWB PV 2WD 6.0L V-89,800 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 4WD5.3L V-86,100 (b)Express/Savana 2500 LWB CV 2WD 4.8L V-87,200 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 4WD5.3L V-86,800 (b,p)Express/Savana 2500 LWB CV 2WD 6.0L V-810,000 (g)1500 Ext Cab Std Bed 4WD
4 TRAILER LIFE 2012 TOWING GUIDE CONTENTS 2012 GUIDE TO TOWING SPONSORS Ford Motor Company (800) 392-3673 www.ford.com KZRV LP (800) 768-4016 www.kz-rv.com 6 Choose Wisely Selecting the tow vehicle that works best for your needs requires careful consideration of weights, measures and drivetrains 10 Towing 2012
