Compiled by Garth W. Cane
RVers across the country are gearing up for another season on the road but before your travels, don’t miss the new 2016/2017 tow vehicles that represent some the best-in-class technology to make your trip that much more enjoyable.
2016 Buick Enclave
Enclave finds its power in a 3.6L V-6 engine featuring fuel-saving direct injection technology and continuously variable valve timing, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. Direct injection helps the engine produce power comparable to a V-8 – SAE-certified 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque – with good efficiency. The strong V-6 engine also enables Enclave to tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. The available intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system provides increased traction on slippery roads by actively managing the torque distribution between the front and rear axles.
2016 Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system, is standard, delivering precisely con-trolled driving performance. And at its core, Escalade is an SUV with the capabilities of a full-size truck, enabling a trailering rating of 8,300 pounds on the standard model and an 8,100-pound rating on Escalade ESV. Performance and driving experience Escalade performance is highlighted by the powerful and efficient 6.2L V-8 engine, rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm).
The engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission with TapShift control.
2016 Chev Equinox/ Terrain
A direct-injected 3.6L V-6 is available with LT and LTZ models and delivers best-in-class 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. The V-6 engine also enables a trailering capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The 3.6L is rated at 301 horse-power and 272 lb-ft of torque. This engine uses lightweight components that contribute to the Equinox’s fuel efficiency while boosting its horsepower.
2016 Traverse/Acadia
A technically advanced 3.6L V-6 with fuel-saving direct injection technology and continuously variable valve timing offers a great deal of efficiency in Traverse. The V-6 is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission with improved shift feel for more confident acceleration when the driver needs additional power when passing or entering the highway. The engine is SAE-certified at 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque with dual exhaust on LTZ models and 281 hp and 266 lb-ft with single exhaust on LS and LT. Traverse also offers utility-like towing capacity of up to 5,200 pounds.
2016 Chev Colorado
An available 3.6L V-6 tops competitors’ V-6 offerings with up to 1,590 pounds of payload and up to 7,000 pounds maximum trailering. The 3.6L engine is rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. All models are matched with a six-speed automatic that complements the truck-tuned engines with features that make hauling and trailering easier and more comfortable, including auto grade braking and a tow/haul mode.
2016 Chev Silverado
The Silverado’s trio of EcoTec3 engines , including a 4.3L V-6 rated at 285 hp, a 5.3L V-8 rated at 355 hp and the 6.2L V-8 rated at 420 hp. The 3.6L with the towing package is rated to tow 3500 pounds, the 6.2L V-8 enables up to a 12,000-pound Each features direct injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing to make the most of power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions.
The Chev Silverado HD
The 2016 Silverado HDs’ trailering ratings are aligned with SAE J2807 standards, with maximum available capacities including: 2500HD conventional trailering rating of 14,500 pounds; fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering rating of 18,000 pounds; 3500HD single-rear-wheel conventional trailering rating of 15,000 pounds; 3500HD single-rear-wheel fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering rating of 17,500 pounds; 3500HD dual-rear-wheel conventional trailering rating of 20,000 pounds; 3500HD dual-rear-wheel fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailering rating of 23,200 pounds.
The Tahoe/Yukon
Tahoe’s EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 engine is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, and features state-of-the-art technologies that contribute to a fuel consumption rating of 14.9 L/100km city and 10.1 L/100km highway (2WD) – a nearly 10-percent increase in highway efficiency over previous models. A Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is paired with the new 5.3L engine and contributes to efficiency with reduced engine speed on the highway. It also features TapShift control, Tow/Haul mode and Auto Grade Braking. It can tow up to 8600 pounds with a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio.
The Suburban/ Yukon XL
Suburban’s EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 engine is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, contribute to a fuel efficiency rating of 14.9 L/100km city and 10.1 L/100km highway (2WD). When equipped with Tow/Haul mode and Auto Grade Braking it can tow up to 8600 pounds with a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio. It has enhanced Driver Alert Package featuring power-adjustable pedals, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam headlamps, Lane Keep Assist and Safety Alert Seat, and an available head-up display with digital multi-function readouts and reconfigurable instrument cluster.
2016 Grand Caravan
At the heart of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan is the award-winning 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. This engine was named one of “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” three years in a row. In the Grand Caravan, the Pentastar V-6 delivers a best-in-class 283 horsepower, 260 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class 3,600-lbs. towing. Even with the potent V-6 powertrain, Grand Caravan still man-ages to deliver a generous fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway, which translates to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel.
