2012 Chevy Equinox Towing Capacity

If you’re searching for a two-row SUV with plenty of passenger and cargo space, the Chevy Equinox is an excellent choice. The Equinox was introduced into Chevy’s lineup in 2004 and is still made today. But what is the towing capacity of a 2012 Chevy Equinox?

The 2012 Chevy Equinox has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The 2012 Chevy Equinox tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, trim level, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.

How Much Can The 2012 Chevy Equinox Tow?

The 2012 Chevy Equinox has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The 2012 Chevy Equinox tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.

You can always reach out to your local Chevy dealership for details to confirm how much your Equinox can tow.

2012 Chevy Equinox Towing Capacity Chart
2012 Chevy Equinox Towing Capacity Chart

You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.

2012 Equinox Towing Capacity By Trim Level

There are many trim levels for the 2012 Equinox. Some engines and features are not available on certain configurations, so they can each have different max towing limits.

Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each package on the 2012 Chevy Equinox:

2012 Chevy Equinox Trim LevelTowing Capacity
2012 Chevy Equinox LS1,500 pounds
2012 Chevy Equinox 1LT3,500 pounds
2012 Chevy Equinox 2LT3,500 pounds
2012 Chevy Equinox LTZ3,500 pounds
2012 Chevy Equinox Towing Capacity by Trim Level Chart

Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain

2012 Chevy Equinox Engine Towing Specs

There are two engine options for the 2012 Equinox which is a 2.4 Liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6 Liter V6 engine that produces 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque.

2012 Chevy Equinox 2.4L 4-Cylinder Engine Towing Capacity: 1,500 pounds

2012 Chevy Equinox 3.6L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2012 Chevy Equinox Drivetrain Towing Specs

The 2012 Chevy Equinox comes standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional on most trims.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2012 Chevrolet Equinox AWD Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2012 Chevy Equinox engine. Your Chevy Equinox may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.

2012 Chevy Equinox Payload Capacity

The maximum payload capacity of the 2012 Chevy Equinox is 1,202 pounds.

This means that the 2012 Equinox can carry up to 1,202 pounds worth of passenger and cargo weight in the vehicle, which makes it great for road trips and hauling heavier items.

Note that the max payload capacity of your 2012 Equinox will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.

You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.

2012 Chevy Equinox Tow Package

Chevy offers an optional factory-installed towing package for the Equinox called the V92 package, which includes a hitch receiver, tow/haul mode, upgraded cooling equipment, and a wiring harness.

We definitely recommend getting the towing package if you plan on towing anything with your 2012 Equinox.

chevy equinox towing a camper
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox can pull up to 3,500 pounds, making it capable of pulling medium loads.

2012 Chevy Equinox Towing Capacity Vs Competitors

The 2012 Chevy Equinox has a maximum tow rating of 3500 pounds, which makes it capable of  light duty towing.

The 2012 Equinox’s tow capability is similar to its main competitors which are the 2012 Toyota RAV4 and the 2012 Honda CR-V.

Here are some similar vehicles to the 2012 Chevy Equinox and their towing capacities below:

2012 Ford Escape: 3,500 pounds

2012 Honda CR-V: 1,500 pounds

2012 Toyota RAV4: 1,500 pounds

2012 Chevy Models Towing Capacity Chart

2012 Chevy ModelTowing Capacity
2012 Chevy Suburban8,300 pounds
2012 Chevy Tahoe8,600 pounds
2012 Chevy Traverse5,000 pounds
2012 Chevy Equinox3,500 pounds
2012 Chevy Models Towing Capacity Chart

Data Accuracy

We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2012 Chevy Equinox Owner’s Manual on Chevy’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.

Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2012 Chevy Equinox.

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