Can You Flat Tow A GMC Acadia [And How To]

The GMC Acadia is a mid-sized crossover SUV sporting different features to benefit various drivers and passengers. Outdoor enthusiasts may choose to bring this vehicle as a secondary vehicle for their camping trips. But is it possible to flat-tow a GMC Acadia? If so, how can you do it? We researched for you to answer these questions, and here’s what we found.

Most GMC Acadia models throughout the years aren’t flat towable. Owners of specific Acadia models, like the 2007 and 2018 versions of the vehicle, can flat tow these automobiles. If flat towing isn’t an option, it might be possible to dinghy or dolly tow the Acadia behind an RV or motorhome. The steps to achieve this setup are:

1. Put the Acadia’s transmission to Park (P) and turn its ignition to the "LOCK/OFF" position.
2. Place the Acadia behind the towing vehicle.
3. Activate the Acadia’s ACC/ACCESSORY mode and shift it to Neutral (N).
4. Remove the correct fuses from the engine’s fuse block and store those parts to put them out of harm’s way.
5. Release the GMC Acadia’s parking brake.

Oftentimes, you need to buy and install equipment to ensure the safety of the GMC Acadia and the towing setup while pulling that vehicle. Continue reading as we tackle some of the items you need to tow your Acadia successfully. We’ll also talk about the steps to tow a GMC Acadia properly in greater detail.

Can A GMC Acadia Be Flat Towed Behind A Motorhome?

Many GMC Acadia models throughout the years, including the 2020 version, can’t be flat towed. However, owners of the 2007 Acadia with the 6-speed automatic transmission can flat tow this vehicle, provided that it is in neutral and a compatible tow bar is in use.

On the other hand, if you’re curious about learning which SUVs on the market that can tow at least 5,000 pounds, read our post on that subject matter to know your choices.

Is The 2018 GMC Acadia Flat Towable?

The 2018 GMC Acadia is flat-towable. Take note that this automobile must be in the ACC/Accessory position during the entire towing operation. Also, make sure to confirm that the hitch pin is secure under the shift boot to protect the vehicle pulling assembly from breaking apart.

Additionally, you may also need the following components to complete the flat towing setup for the 2018 GMC Acadia:

• Base plates
• Safety cables
• Wiring system
• Supplemental brakes

Check out this base plate for the GMC Acadia on Amazon.

How To Dinghy Tow A GMC Acadia?

Although it's not ideal to pull a GMC Acadia, particularly one with a front-wheel-drive transmission, using standard flat towing methods, it can still be possible to tow this automobile with a dinghy. With the correct flat towing equipment installed, follow these steps to pull an Acadia behind a motorhome:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Shift the Acadia’s transmission to Park (P).
2. Turn the ignition to the "LOCK/OFF" position.
3. Reverse the towing vehicle to the front of the Acadia and set its parking brake.
4. Place the GMC Acadia in the "ACC/ACCESSORY" mode.
5. Shift the Acadia’s transmission to Neutral (N).
6. Remove the EMC1 and BATT1 fuse from the engine’s fuse block and store these parts safely.
7. Release the parking brake on the Acadia.

Take note that some steps demand that you check the vehicle’s owner’s manual for the exact process. For example, putting the 2021 GMC Acadia in "ACC/ACCESSORY" mode requires you to press the ignition button once without applying pressure to the brake pedal.

Also, follow these safety precautions while dinghy towing a GMC Acadia to avoid issues and costly mishaps while pulling the vehicle:

• Towing speeds shouldn’t exceed 65 miles per hour (mph).
• Don’t tow a GMC Acadia with different-sized wheels, which would otherwise damage the transmission.
• Reinstall the removed fuses upon reaching the destination.

How To Dinghy Tow A 2015 GMC Acadia?

Dinghy towing a 2015 GMC Acadia is relatively similar to pulling the car’s 2018 model. Owners should pay attention to some slight differences in the steps to ensure this vehicle and the towing setup won’t accumulate damage.

The process to dinghy tow a 2015 Acadia are:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Park the 2015 Acadia to the desired position.
2. Put that vehicle’s transmission to Park (P).
3. Turn the ignition to the "LOCK/OFF" position.
4. Attach the Acadia to the towing vehicle with the help of a compatible tow system.
5. Set the Acadia’s parking brake.
6. Place the towed vehicle’s ignition to its "ACC/ACCESSORY" mode.
7. Place the GMC Acadia’s transmission to Neutral (N).
8. Remove the ECM, Onstar, and BATT1 fuse from under the hood and store these items properly.
9. Release the Acadia’s parking brake.

Keep in mind that practicing incorrect towing methods can lead to serious damage to the GMC Acadia. If so, GMC won’t provide coverage to the harm produced by the improper setup, regardless of the car’s warranty.

How To Tow A 2021 GMC Acadia Behind An RV?

Take note that you can’t flat tow a 2021 GMC Acadia behind an RV or any other towing vehicle. On the other hand, it’s possible to tow this specific automobile with the help of a compatible dolly.

Ensure that the dolly can handle the 2021 Acadia’s gross weight of 6,000 pounds to supply the towing setup with sufficient security while your RV is pulling that vehicle on the road.

Check out this tow dolly on Amazon.

What GMC Cars Can Be Flat Towed?

Aside from some GMC Acadia models, the Sierra is another vehicle from the same automobile maker that can be flat towed. Interested buyers of the GMC Sierra should know that many flat towing needs already come with the vehicle. You can know more about flat towing a GMC Sierra by reading our post on that topic.

How Do You Install A Tow Bar Wire?

Before proceeding with the installation, it’s important to know how a tow bar wiring kit works. It functions by connecting the electronics on both the towing and towed vehicles to help secure the vehicle-pulling assembly. Some tow bar wires can also activate the pulled vehicle’s brake system to ensure its tires don’t roll when stopping the towing vehicle.

Plus, ensure that the tow bar wiring kit is compatible with both the towing and towed vehicles. However, some wiring systems have universal designs that should fit most vehicle-pulling setups.

Check out this universal wiring kit on Amazon.

After taking note of those pieces of information and assuming that you already bought a compatible kit, follow these steps to install a tow bar wiring system:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Install the base plate while following that particular component’s instructions.
2. Attach one end of the wiring kit’s wire setup to the baseplate of the towed vehicle.
3. Move the wire to the back of the towed vehicle. Pay attention to where the wires pass through and avoid any locations that may hinder the connection.
4. Once the wire reaches the rear, remove the tail lights of the towed car. Consult your owner’s manual if you don’t know how to remove these components.
5. Connect the wires from the wiring kit to the tail lights’ electronics setup. At this point, it’s important to double-check if the wires became caught in something. If slightly tugging the wiring kit made you notice the existence of an obstruction, remove that obstacle before proceeding to the next step.
6. Secure the new wiring setup in place. Pieces of quality double-sided tape should suffice.
7. Reinstall the tail light.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 7 for the other tail light.
9. Connect the wiring kit to the diode system, which will allow communication from the towing vehicle to the towed automobile.
10. Test the tail lights on the towing vehicle to see if the tail lights on the towed automobile activate.

Keep in mind that this installation process typically requires sufficient knowledge about electronics. It also needs a fair amount of confidence to ensure that the assembly works as intended.

If you feel that you're not confident or don't have the necessary skill to install this system, request professional help instead. Take note that expert services will typically demand a fee for the installation, which should be about $550.

Don’t forget to watch the video below to gain additional insights about this installation process, especially with the safety precautions involved:

Final Words

Many GMC Acadia models don’t permit users to flat tow these vehicles. However, it might be possible to pull these crossover SUVs with dinghies or dollies. Don’t forget to consult the vehicle’s owner’s guide to check if your specific Acadia is flat towable or not.