Makes · GMC · GMC Terrain
2018 GMC Terrain towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 1,000 – 3,000 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
11 configurations
11 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2018 GMC Terrain tow?
Across 11 configurations with published ratings, 2018 GMC Terrain towing capacity ranges from 1,000 lbs to 3,000 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2018 GMC Terrain can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 1,000 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,000 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 11 of 11
Highest-rated example: Denali — 3,000 lbs
Lowest-rated example: SLT — 1,000 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2018 GMC Terrain. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denali | — | — | — | 3.17 | 3,000 lbs | 1,049 lbs |
| Denali | — | — | — | 3.17 | 3,000 lbs | 995 lbs |
| SL | — | — | — | 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 1,015 lbs |
| SLE | — | — | — | 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 1,008 lbs |
| SLE | — | — | — | 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 1,035 lbs |
| SLE | — | — | — | 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 998 lbs |
| SLE | — | — | — | 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 1,015 lbs |
| SLT | — | — | — | 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 971 lbs |
| SLT | — | — | — | 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 1,009 lbs |
| SLT | — | — | — | 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 972 lbs |
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 4 |
| 3.17 | 3,000 lbs | 2 |
| 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 5 |
2018 GMC Terrain payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 971 – 1,049 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 11
Highest-payload configurations
- Denali — 1,049 lbs
- SLE — 1,035 lbs
- SL — 1,015 lbs
- SLE — 1,015 lbs
- SLT — 1,009 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2018 GMC Terrain dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.89 | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs | 4 |
| 3.17 | 3,000 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 2 |
| 3.47 | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs | 5 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Axle ratios: 2.89, 3.17, 3.47
- Published towing range: 1,000 – 3,000 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2018 GMC Terrain. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denali All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 3,801 lbs | 1,049 lbs | 252 | 260 | 3.17 | 107.3 |
| Denali Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 3,635 lbs | 995 lbs | 252 | 260 | 3.17 | 107.3 |
| SL Front-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,449 lbs | 1,015 lbs | 170 | 203 | 3.47 | 107.3 |
| SLE All-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,622 lbs | 1,008 lbs | 170 | 203 | 3.47 | 107.3 |
| SLE Diesel All-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,815 lbs | 1,035 lbs | 137 | 240 | 2.89 | 107.3 |
| SLE Diesel Front-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,632 lbs | 998 lbs | 137 | 240 | 2.89 | 107.3 |
| SLE Front-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,449 lbs | 1,015 lbs | 170 | 203 | 3.47 | 107.3 |
| SLT All-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,659 lbs | 971 lbs | 170 | 203 | 3.47 | 107.3 |
| SLT Diesel All-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,841 lbs | 1,009 lbs | 137 | 240 | 2.89 | 107.3 |
| SLT Diesel Front-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,658 lbs | 972 lbs | 137 | 240 | 2.89 | 107.3 |
| SLT Front-wheel Drive | 1,000 lbs | 3,487 lbs | 977 lbs | 170 | 203 | 3.47 | 107.3 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.