Buick Envision

[jbb5716]

Looking for wise advice and counsel about using a 2017-2020 Buick Envision as a toad.  Just traded my 2007 Dynasty for a 2016 Itasca 30 foot coach with 5000 pound tow limit.  My present Dodge Dakota is too heavy and I need to downsize my toad.  I have not bought yet and any experience and wisdom will be appreciated.  Which is better or preferred  front wheel drive or all wheel drive, etc?

[Bobkat11208]

I realize mine is a 2016 and is the corporate twin, but I flat tow an Equinox LTZ and am quite pleased. Weighs about 3400#, is FWD, and I only need to pull a fuse in the passenger compartment. The manual explains what to do in decent detail . I would recommend if remotely comparable. We also use it as our daily driver. 

[gjh2916]

I flat tow a 2019 Buick Envision Essance FWD w/2.5L. I have had no problems just warm transmission fluid before starting out in the morning, on short tows I don't remove fuses 29 and 32. But if I am going to tow all day I remove them to help conserve the battery. Just had a transmission fluid flush at the dealer 40,000 miles and they said everything was fine.

[Sandia Man]

We flat tow a fully loaded GMC Terrain with a couple of folding electric bikes in large tubs, closer to 4500# as curb weight is nearly 4K#.  We had 4 vehicles we owned to choose from after purchasing our Monaco a few years ago, 2 vehicles were Silverado HD 4x4 truck and Chevy full-size conversion van which are too heavy and not something we would want to tow and use for sightseeing anyway.

That left us with my DW's daily driver Caddy or my daily driver GMC Terrain, both well below our towing limitations and much better suited for enjoying the local sights.  Checking the vehicles owner's manual the GMC Terrain was the obvious choice as could be flat towed it had room for large tubs that contain 2 electric bikes, nearly 5 years and 30K miles later GMC Terrain has performed admirably as a Toad. 

 

 

[Tom Cherry]

Suggest broadening your “search” and read the myriad of articles on “Flat Towing Buick Envision”.  Google is your friend….despite all the expertise here, some topics are best posted after a thorough “Google” search.  I used the phrase in quotes.  Many hits and advice and reviews or opinions.

One seemed to be more complete, but many others out there.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/flat-towing-a-buick-envision-622572.html

Good luck and do some surfing….

[jbb5716]

Tom,

Good to hear from you with your wise advice and counsel.  I am a slow thinker.  It took me a week to think about posting on MOnacoers and never did think about Google.  Good threads on IRV2.  One person appeared to be having a lot of problems but I  feel his is an isolated case possibly never to be repeated.  Hope you have a great 2025.   John

[jbb5716]

Thanks to all who responded to my Buick Envision question.  All comments were helpful.

[6Wheels]

I looked at GVW for Dakotas, and they all come in <5,000 lb.  What year model do you have?

Edited January 4 by 6Wheels
sp?

[jbb5716]

2007 crew cab, 4WD, magnum V8 curb weight probably close to 4500#.  By the time I add the tow bar system, camper shell, roof rack with ladders and my tools/supplies I am over 5K.  Probably not a problem until I have an accident and the lawyers have a field day at my expense.  

I plan to start physically looking at some Envisions and Equinoxes this weekend to get a feel for their size and how they may meet my needs which may need to change.  I have down sized my coach, planning on downsizing my toad and may need to consider downsizing the "stuff" I haul around.  

I have been doing volunteer work for 20+ years and have carried a lot of tools and supplies to support my construction/repair ministry.   May also need to downsize what I am physically able to do.  New chapters lay ahead with different requirements.