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I would like to buy a tent trailer, but my GMC Terrain does not have a towing hitch. Is it possible to install one and where could i get it done? how will the breaking system work on the tent trailer? does electrical work need to get done? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks  
 
Edited by StarryNight , 2016-08-26 15:32:55

First, verify that the vehicle has towing capacity to pull whatever you buy. It's not the size of the motor but proper brakes and a transmission cooler if needed.  
 
You can go to your dealer for install, I think you'll spend about $1000 for hitch and electric install.  
 
If your mechanically inclined, buy the hitch out of the states and purchase the wiring harness from you're dealer ( or get the part number from them and source it out of the states as well) then do the install yourself. YouTube will have a video on how to do it. Did it on both my vehicles in a couple hours and saved $600 each time.  
 
Marpet

I had a hitch installed at the place on Pacific, close the A&L (sorry, can't recall the name!) last summer. It was only about $350.

Heres what you need to do.  
 
Find out the towing limits of the vehicle. Transmission will be doing all the work. Take into account the braking when pulling a load. Trucks have tranny coolers for towing good ones do.  
 
Determine the weight of towing the object.  
 
Find proper hitch  
Install and wire. Away you go.  
 
Try uhaul you can gauge a price should be around 350-550 bucks more with a cooler or lots of extras. Shoot me a pm if you want more information.

It will depend on what engine you have a 4 cylinder is rated for around 1500 pounds a 6 cylinder terrain for around 3500 but you also have to be careful with your vehicles payload rating which you should be able to find on a sticker on your drivers door jam which will give you a number possibly around 1100 pounds which is supposed to i:nclude all your passengers driver cargo fuel and would then also i:nclude the tongue weight of your tent trailer that sticker should also tell you your axle weight ratings which you won't want to exceed and so far as I know any trailer over 2000 pounds is supposed to have trailer brakes ... This is just my understanding of things I know most people don't pay attention to most of these ratings and tow whatever with their vehicles mpi has a brochure available that also has a lot of good info in it

Marpet said "First, verify that the vehicle has towing capacity to pull whatever you buy. It's not the size of the motor but proper brakes and a transmission cooler if needed.     You can go to your dealer for install, I think you'll spend about $1000 for hitch and electric install.     If your mechanically inclined, buy the hitch out of the states and purchase the wiring harness from you're dealer ( or get the part number from them and source it out of the states as well) then do the install yourself. YouTube will have a video on how to do it. Did it on both my vehicles in a couple hours and saved $600 each time.     Marpet "

preeeety sure the size of the engine is a major factor in towing capacity, but not the only one.  
 
To the poster: are you talking about one of those pop-up campers?

Blue_Guru said "    Marpet said "First, verify that the vehicle has towing capacity to pull whatever you buy. It's not the size of the motor but proper brakes and a transmission cooler if needed.     You can go to your dealer for install, I think you'll spend about $1000 for hitch and electric install.     If your mechanically inclined, buy the hitch out of the states and purchase the wiring harness from you're dealer ( or get the part number from them and source it out of the states as well) then do the install yourself. YouTube will have a video on how to do it. Did it on both my vehicles in a couple hours and saved $600 each time.     Marpet " preeeety sure the size of the engine is a major factor in towing capacity, but not the only one.     To the poster: are you talking about one of those pop-up campers? "

...*just*  
 
I have a 2 lt 4 cyl Hyundai that pulls #3500. My old Hyundai with a 3.6 lt v6 also pulled #3500. My point was that the biggest concern would be his ability to stop and that he wasn't leaving little pieces of transmission all over the highway.  
 
Marpet  
 
Edited by Marpet, 2016-08-29 08:58:06