Explore the Chevrolet Equinox’s Towing Capacity

If you’re in the market for a new compact SUV that you can use for towing a trailer or gear, consider the 2020 Equinox. It has four trims available (L, LS, LT, and Premier), all of which boast spacious interiors and powerful engine options that are perfect for towing. Learn more about the towing capacity for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox and how you can safely tow your gear when you’re behind the wheel.

Available Engines

The Equinox comes in two engine options. The engine you choose will affect the amount you can tow, so it’s important to research the available options. Typically, the more powerful the engine, the more you can tow. The base L trim and the LS trim come equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The other option is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which is available as an upgrade on the LT and Premier.

Maximum Towing Capacity

Image via Flickr by truckhardware

The 2020 Equinox boasts a powerful towing capacity, particularly with the larger 2.0-liter engine. With the base engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the small SUV can tow a maximum of 1,500 pounds. If you’re looking to tow a small pop-up trailer, a jet ski, or a couple of dirt bikes, this engine would work well.

On the other hand, the larger engine comes paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. With this engine, you could easily tow a lightweight boat, a pair of motorcycles, or a small camping trailer.

When compared to other vehicles in its class, the 2020 Equinox remains competitive. Some towing capacities of other vehicles in its class include the following:

• Toyota RAV4: Up to 1,750 pounds.
• Mazda CX-5: Up to 2,000 pounds.
• Subaru Outback: Up to 2,700 pounds.
• GMC Terrain: Up to 3,500 pounds.
• Hyundai Santa Fe: Up to 3,500 pounds (Only on the 2.0T trim).

Towing Technology

To enhance its towing capacity, the 2020 Equinox includes several vital towing features with the larger engine option. Its heavy-duty cooling system allows the engine to work harder without overheating. The 2-inch trailering receiver fits snugly on trailers, while the 7-inch wire electrical harness and seven-pin sealed connector gives power to trailers’ brake lights, taillights, plate lights, and turn signal indicators.

The larger engine also includes a Tow/Haul mode button located on the center console. This feature helps the powertrain to tow the trailer. With Tow/Haul mode activated the transmission reconfigures the power dynamics so you can tow the maximum amount even when traveling uphill or tackling some off-roading routes.

You can also opt for the switchable all-wheel-drive system, which is ideal for rough or slippery terrain. This feature allows you to remain in the front-wheel-drive mode for most of the time to save on fuel and then switch to all-wheel drive when you need it while pulling the trailer.

Trailering Guide

When looking for a vehicle with solid towing capacity, the maximum number isn’t the only value you should consider. Chevrolet recommends you select a trailer with a tongue weight of about 10 to 15% of its gross combination weight rating. What this means is that with the base engine, you can only tow smaller trailers while the larger engine allows you to transport larger trailers. By using the right trailer hitch, you could potentially increase the towing capacity of the 2.0-liter engine to 4,500 pounds.

Also, if you’re looking to purchase a camper or trailer to use with your Equinox, remember that the weight listed is for an empty camper and trailer, and you most likely will add cargo to it. Try to calculate how much weight you will add to ensure you don’t exceed the maximum amount.

Towing Safety

Towing a trailer or other item can be a little tricky, so it’s helpful to learn how to drive with a trailer before you make a full trip. It’s best to have someone more experienced show you how to operate the vehicle if you’ve never towed a trailer before. Make sure you go to a safe location when practicing this skill.

When towing something with your Equinox, it will handle a little differently. Allow for additional time to stop, and be careful when rounding corners. You should also have a checklist to go over before hitting the road:

• Examine your brakes: You will place extra stress on the brakes when you tow anything, even with the addition of trailer brakes. Take a look at the pads and rotors to make sure they’re in good shape, and check the brake fluid under the hood.
• Bring a spare tire: Both your Equinox and trailer should have spare tires that are in good shape.
• Measure the tire pressure: Get out your tire gauge and make sure the tires to your Equinox and trailer are properly inflated.
• Look at the wiring: Make sure to check the connectors before hitting the road with your trailer. Nothing is worse than dragging your trailer along the roadway.
• Verify all lights work. Check that the running lights, turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights all operate correctly.
• Secure your load. You don’t want your items to shift or fall while traveling, so make sure everything is secured.
• Check your visibility. Once you have the trailer loaded, sit in your Equinox and adjust your side and rearview mirrors to make sure you can see.

Being able to hitch a trailer to your crossover is a great way to improve its use and help out your busy lifestyle. Whether you’re transporting a trailer or camper, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox can get you where you need to go. To experience what the Equinox has to offer, contact the experts at Cochran Chevrolet. As a large, family-owned dealership, we’ve been selling vehicles in the Youngstown area for the past century. Schedule a test drive today to see how well the Equinox handles and why you should consider it for your next vehicle.