[BlissDDS]

I do not have much towing experience so I am not familiar with the extra towing package. It sounds like the Enclave can tow about 2500 pds. without and about 4500 pds. with. How does this relate to real world towing. Anyone know how much a couple of 4 wheelers or a couple of jet skis or a boat weighs while towing and whether the Enclave will do any OK? Also, if you are not reallly planning on towing anything except once or twice a year are there any other considerations besides cost in deciding to get the towing package such as engine wear?
Thanks.

 

[EricR]

Due o the way non-tow Enclaves are assembled, it has thus far been expensive and a big headache to retro fit the Enclave for towing, with most of the issues being with the electrical system. There's been a lot of discussion about this over on the Acadia forum if you want to read more...

My suggestion would be that if you ever want to do any towing--even occationally-- with the Enclave, to go ahead and get the tow package. It doesn't cost that much now, but will be much more expensive down the road.

 

[mss42]

if you even think you will tow anything including possibly just using a bike rack on occassion get it. we were told by a gm insider that the towing package cannot be added once the car is assembled due to the wiring, rpm's and other adjustments that have to be made to the motor. there is a thread dedicated to this somewhere in this forum. also, others have towed w/the acadia boats and the like. i think it is an option that you will appreciate even w/occasional towing. old saying, 'better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have.' remember cannot be added after the fact.

 

[jackiemd]

We tow our 19 foot bowrider ski boat and it's about 2000 pounds. I'm sure a couple jet skis will be less than that. We pull our boat with my GMC Envoy and with my husband's Mercury Mariner without any problem so I'm sure the Enclave will pull the boat fine.

 

[coopermine]

The standard towing capacity is 2500lbs so I guess pulling 2000lbs is just margin, imagine, stopping and starting at an uphill, also pulling a 2000lb boat out of water, I personally recommend getting the package even if you are going to pull just 2000lbs.

 

[jcflorida]

Actually the max towing capacity is 2,000 lbs without the tow package. Remember, the tow capacity includes weight of passengers and gear inside the vehicle. You could easily have 1000 lbs inside, leaving only 1000 for trailer and what is on the trailer.

The tow package includes the necessary wiring (which is reported to be difficult to add later).
It includes the tow button, which changes the transmission shift pattern (don't think this would be easy to add later).
It includes a hitch (this is easy to add later).
It includes an extra transmission cooler (this can be added later, how easily depends on access in the engine compartment and how many things would need to be removed to get to a suitable palce for the extra cooler). This is the item that really ups the towing capacity of the vehicle. Towing adds a strain on the transmission with heat buildup the result. Heat is the thing that will ruin a transmission faster than anything else. I think extra transmission coolers are good idea in hot climates, even if not towing.

 

[coopermine]

Thanks for correction, for some reason I thought it was 2500. I guess I got mixed up with 4500 max with the tow package.

 

[marzetta7]

Actually the max towing capacity is 2,000 lbs without the tow package. Remember, the tow capacity includes weight of passengers and gear inside the vehicle. You could easily have 1000 lbs inside, leaving only 1000 for trailer and what is on the trailer.

It includes an extra transmission cooler (this can be added later, how easily depends on access in the engine compartment and how many things would need to be removed to get to a suitable palce for the extra cooler). This is the item that really ups the towing capacity of the vehicle. Towing adds a strain on the transmission with heat buildup the result. Heat is the thing that will ruin a transmission faster than anything else. I think extra transmission coolers are good idea in hot climates, even if not towing.

This is exactly why I go mine with the towing package. I was also told there was an extra engine cooler added as well. I don't really plan on towing anything, but the cooler I can keep things the better.

 

[dwhsd]

I would recommend the tow package. In my case I actually don't intend to tow but I want the trailer hitch to mount a bike rack to. The rack itself is probably $150 plus $50 to install it. The package price is not much more than this and you get a transmission cooler. Anything you can do to keep the trans fluid cool (with margin) won't hurt.

 

[BlissDDS]

I really appreciate all the great information...I am convinced...yea on the towing package.

Now here is another question about buying the Enclave. I like to support local business but the dealer here originally told me 8 to 12 weeks, but the first time he tried to place the order he could not because of constraints. After the luxury package went off the list I called him and said that we would go with the platinum (instead of the white diamond) if he could order it then. He said that he could not place the order for two weeks because of the plant shut down. So from the time he originally told us 8 to 12 weeks (3 weeks ago) the order still is not placed. Here is the dilemma...another dealer from out of state called and said they hve one that is exactly what we want (including the tow package) and it should arrive in about three weeks. What should I do...go with the local dealer or get my Enclave 12 weeks earlier? Anyone have any advice???
p.s I am guaranteed the conquest rebate if I go with the one in three weeks, the local dealer has no idea if it will be available when that one comes in.

 

[jks]

Just got my Enclave this past weekend. We had a similar issue, except that we didn't have to travel out of state. We were working with one dealership and finally decided to order when they started doing some funny stuff with the pricing. My husband started calling around and found one fully loaded at a dealership located about quite a bit farther from us, only it wasn't the original color we were going to order. I realize that most people don't like the white opal, but with the ebony interior it looks pretty good. I digress. I think the whole thing would depend on how fast you want the car and how attached you are to the dealership and the sales people. It is hard because Buick is only dribbling them out and you have to take them when you can find them. Also, when we were buying the car we mentioned the 8-12 week waiting period and they chuckled and said that time may not be realistic anymore, even the dealers are having a hard time getting them.

Not sure that actually helped. Good luck ;D

 

[BlissDDS]

Thanks Jks,
I am pretty loyal, but this is getting ridiculous. If the dealer can't get the order submitted by the 23rd with the white diamond I think I am going to cancel the order and get a flight to the dealer out of state.

 

[Vikchic]

Thanks Jks,
I am pretty loyal, but this is getting ridiculous. If the dealer can't get the order submitted by the 23rd with the white diamond I think I am going to cancel the order and get a flight to the dealer out of state.

Blissdds, i ordered identical Enclave on July 5. I received order number and was told my order was accepted the next day. The more i read the boards, the more confused I get. White Diamond AWD CXL, cashmere, ent package 3, luxury pkg., towing, everything else...I hope this means they will build my Enclave and I am hoping to receive it in the 10 weeks average I am seeing on this sight. ;D In addition, We plan on pulling a 20 foot Four Winns boat with ours. I think, (but don't quote), it weighs a little over 4,000 pounds. We currently pull it with my 2002 Envoy XL or my husbands 2005 Canyon. I would order towing anyway, you just never know, and it will be there if needed!

 

[bh1956]

I am wondering exactly how much weight you can carry in the Enclave and still tow 4500 pounds. I have read that each car manufacturing can calculate this differently. Some include two passengers and 200 pounds of cargo and some do not include any weight in the vehcile at all. (which is not unrealistic.). How does GM calculate this figure?

 

[jcflorida]

Capacity assumes only the driver. No passengers or cargo in the vehicle.

 

[wvurhino]

I would go with the tow package. I never plan on towing with my Enclave because I have a Silverado for that. One main reason I got the tow package is for the transmission cooler. This will help extend the life of the transmission. A cool trans is a happy trans. I also got it for the hitch accessories like bike racks. The trailer hitch will also act as an extra bumper. I got rear-ended in my truck. The hitch took most of the impact.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that most people underestimate the weight of their trailer or boat. Are all the fluids in there? What about extra gear? I would double check the weight. If you have to, take it to a scale and get it weighed. Towing is tough of vehicles.

 

[gshields]

I think the best part of the tow package is the trans cooler. 251 lbs of torque is not much power, especially when you are used to v/8 power. If there is a chance you'll need it, buy it from the factory. It fits and even looks good the way they designed it. My guess is the trans will shift a lot since there isn't much power there. The cooler will help a lot in keeping the trans cool even while not towing. Also don't forget to change the fluid before its time. Oh, I forgot, it has 100,000 mile warranty. Who cares now. LOL.