What types of RVs will work with my LaCrosse?

With your 800 lbs safe towing capacity, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and pop-up campers. We've put together a list of compatible RVs on our site — take a look and see what catches your eye.

2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL Towing Capacity

Q: How much can I actually tow with my 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL?

Your 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL can tow up to 1,000 lbs according to the manufacturer. But here's our advice: stay around 80% of that (about 800 lbs) for a much better towing experience. You'll have room for hills, headwinds, and those unexpected moments on the road.

Q: What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?

You've got 0 lbs of payload capacity. That's everything that goes IN your truck: passengers, camping gear, coolers, and don't forget — the tongue weight from your trailer counts too. It adds up faster than you'd think!

Q: What kind of hitch do I need for my LaCrosse?

For your 1,000 lbs towing capacity, you'll want a Class II hitch. Make sure whatever hitch you buy is rated for the weight you're actually planning to tow — not just the minimum.

3.6L V6 • 280 HP • 259 lb-ft

(4-Door) • AWD

Test in Tow Calculator Add to My Garage

Max Towing

1,000 lbs

Class II Hitch

0 lbs

Payload

259 lb-ft

Torque

Gas

Fuel Type

0 lbs

GVWR

View Specs

Fuel Economy

EPA 16/26/20

Light Tow 16.4 mpg

Heavy Tow 12 mpg

~425 mi

See RVs I Can Tow

Light Duty Towing Class

At 1,000 lbs, you'll want to stick with lighter trailers. We always recommend staying around 80% of your max (that's 800 lbs for you) — it's easier on your truck and gives you a safety buffer for hills and headwinds.

What Real Owners Get

We pulled data from 27 actual LaCrosse owners — they're averaging 21.8 mpg day-to-day. Once you hook up a trailer, expect somewhere between 12-16.4 mpg depending on what you're pulling.

Budget Your Trip

Let's say you're planning a 500-mile trip while towing. At 12 mpg, you're looking at roughly $133 in fuel. That works out to about $27 per 100 miles — handy to know when you're planning adventures.

RVs That Fit Your Truck

These all fall within your safe towing range of 800 lbs (we use 80% of max to give you breathing room)

Use the tow calculator to find RVs that match your towing capacity.

Open Tow Calculator

Recommended Towing Gear

Equipment recommended for 1,000 lbs towing capacity

Class II Hitch

Rated for up to 1,000 lbs

Shop Hitches →

Brake Controller

Required for trailers over 3,000 lbs

Shop Controllers →

Towing Mirrors

Extended visibility for safe towing

Shop Mirrors →

Specifications

Max Towing Capacity 1,000 lbs

Max Payload 0 lbs

GVWR 0 lbs

GCWR 0 lbs

Curb Weight 4,196 lbs

Hitch Class Class II

Cargo Capacity 13 cu ft

Engine 3.6L

Horsepower 280 HP @ 6300 rpm

Torque 259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic

Drive Type All Wheel Drive

Fuel Type Regular unleaded

Fuel Tank 19.5 gallons

Length 196.9"

Width 73.1"

Height 59.2"

Other 2011 Buick LaCrosse Configurations

View All Trims →

Configuration	Max Towing	MPG
2016 Buick LaCrosse Base FWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2016 Buick LaCrosse Leather FWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2016 Buick LaCrosse Leather AWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2016 Buick LaCrosse Premium FWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2016 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2016 Buick LaCrosse SPORT TOURING FWD	1,000 lbs	23.4 mpg	→
2015 Buick LaCrosse Base FWD	1,000 lbs	20.5 mpg	→
2015 Buick LaCrosse Base FWD	1,000 lbs	20.5 mpg	→
2015 Buick LaCrosse Leather AWD	1,000 lbs	20.5 mpg	→
2015 Buick LaCrosse Leather FWD	1,000 lbs	20.5 mpg	→

Common Questions

How much can I actually tow with my 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL?

Your 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL can tow up to 1,000 lbs according to the manufacturer. But here's our advice: stay around 80% of that (about 800 lbs) for a much better towing experience. You'll have room for hills, headwinds, and those unexpected moments on the road.

What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?

You've got 0 lbs of payload capacity. That's everything that goes IN your truck: passengers, camping gear, coolers, and don't forget — the tongue weight from your trailer counts too. It adds up faster than you'd think!

What kind of hitch do I need?

For your 1,000 lbs towing capacity, you'll want a Class II hitch. Make sure whatever hitch you buy is rated for the weight you're actually planning to tow — not just the minimum. A little overkill on the hitch is always better than not enough.

What types of RVs will work with my truck?

With your 800 lbs safe towing capacity, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers. We've put together a list of compatible RVs above — take a look and see what catches your eye.

What does GVWR mean and why should I care?

GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — yours is 0 lbs. Think of it as the maximum your truck can weigh when it's fully loaded with people, gear, fuel, everything. Exceed it and you're putting extra stress on your brakes, suspension, and tires. Not worth the risk.

"Our mission at Mint RV is to help people make well-informed RV buying decisions, so they can escape the stress of everyday life, reconnect with family, and create unforgettable memories in the great outdoors"