The Chevy Trailblazer was introduced into Chevy’s lineup as a full-size SUV in 2002 and remained available through 2009. The Trailblazer was known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Chevy Trailblazer?
The Chevy Trailblazer has a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds depending on the year, if it is 2WD or 4WD, engine size, and axle ratio.
There’s a bit more to know about Chevy Trailblazer towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2023 Chevy Trailblazer can tow 1,000 lbs across all trim levels.
| Chevy Trailblazer Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Chevy Trailblazer being put to a real-world road test:
Chevy Trailblazer Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Chevy Trailblazer Braked Towing Capacity: 7,200 lbs.
Chevy Trailblazer Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Chevy Trailblazer tow capacity.
Model Year
The Trailblazer’s tow capability varied a lot by year and generation.
The early model years had a max towing capability ranging from 6,300 lbs to 7,200 lbs, while the 2020 and newer models can only tow 1,000 pounds.
Engine Size
Most Chevy Trailblazer model years had the towing capacities broken up by engine. Typically, the more powerful the engine, the more the vehicle can tow.
Axle Ratio
The greater the axle ratio, the more towing power the Trailblazer had. This is true for all model years prior to 2020.
2WD vs 4WD
Whether or not your Trailblazer was 2WD or 4WD also affected how much it can tow.
2WD Trailblazers typically had greater towing power than the 4WD versions.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Chevy Trailblazer, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Chevy Trailblazer Tow Package Info
Does The Chevy Trailblazer Have A Tow Package?
Chevy offers a Trailblazer towing package called the Tow Prep Package which includes the following:
- Class II Hitch Receiver
- 4-Pin Wiring Harness
Additionally, all Trailblazer models came with a factory-installed transmission cooler.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Chevy Trailblazer?
If you plan on towing anything with your Chevy Trailblazer, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Chevy Trailblazer Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Chevy Trailblazer uses a Class 1 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Chevy Trailblazer trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 500 lbs. tongue weight, 5,500 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 550 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid Bonderite and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Lexus GX470 and Toyota 4Runner. Material-Carbon Steel
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Trailblazer:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Chevy Trailblazer Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Chevy Trailblazer trailer hitch installation:
Chevy Trailblazer Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Trailblazer, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Chevy Trailblazer?
The Chevy Trailblazer is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide.
How Do I Know If My Chevy Trailblazer Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Trailblazer to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Trailblazer.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2022 Chevy Trailblazer can tow 1,000 lbs across all trim levels.
| Chevy Trailblazer Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2021 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer can tow 1,000 lbs across all trim levels.
| Chevy Trailblazer Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2020 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2020 Chevy Trailblazer can tow 1,000 lbs across all trim levels.
| Chevy Trailblazer Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2009 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2009 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,200 lbs up to 6,500 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2008 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2008 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,200 lbs up to 6,500 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2007 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2007 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,200 lbs up to 6,500 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2006 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,300 lbs up to 6,800 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2005 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2005 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,000 lbs up to 6,300 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2004 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2004 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,000 lbs up to 6,800 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2003 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2003 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 4,900 lbs up to 7,200 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
2002 Chevy Trailblazer Towing Capacity
The 2002 Chevy Trailblazer can tow between 5,200 lbs up to 6,400 lbs depending on the year, if it’s 2WD or 4WD, the engine size, and the axle ratio.
