Community Forums

benandjen · 12-30-2019, 12:38 AM

I have a 2009 Yukon XL Denali with AWD and 3.42 axle ratio. It's the same length as a Suburban in case you're not familiar with the Yukon XL, 202" long. It's towing capacity is 7900lbs. I believe that counts a driver and a full tank of gas.

I want to tow a 3000lb 8.5x18 enclosed trailer with a 3500lb Porsche inside. So 6500lbs total.

I've had several guys tell me "don't worry, it will do fine." But I will be towing a very valuable car that I love more than anything - so I'm extremely worried.

It's very likely this truck is just incapable and I can accept that. Or I might consider an open trailer with a big stone guard on the front to save weight.

Many guys have said the engine is actually more than capable, but the length of the Yukon XL is insufficient? The trailer will sway all over the place because the truck isn't long enough?

I'm just looking for brutally honest feedback. I tend to be overly cautious and can't afford to make a mistake on this subject.

Also, can I test drive a trailer somewhere to see how it would feel behind my truck? Do trailer dealerships allow that?

Thanks so much!!

tuffr2 · 12-30-2019, 05:18 AM

I agree, you have a tough issue. With 3:42 gears your vehicle is set up for economy and not towing.

What you may be hearing with your vehicle might not be long enough they are talking about wheelbase. On a vehicle designed for towing like a F-250, it will have a wheelbase of 160".

So google wheelbase vs trailer length. You will find a chart with wheelbase length and trailer length. Find your wheelbase on your vehicle and see what the chart says.

You have two things going for you is car hauler trailers are lower than camping trailers. Also you have the 6.2 litre engine.

You will know you are towing as 6,500lbs is nothing to sneeze at.

NevadaNick · 12-30-2019, 05:52 AM

I have an 8.5 x20 trlr and have towed it with my Tacoma inside after i bought it. We had a 2015 Yukon Denali with 6.2 and as much as i’m for ignoring the limits of tow vehicles i don't think i would have towed this with the Yukon. I did tow a 6x12 enclosed behind it and it was effortless but i just dont know about something that big. FYI my 8.5x20 weighed 3700 empty and my Tacoma is probably close to 5k and i towed it with my GMC 2500 dsl. Probably the fastest the Toyota ever went uphill was in that trlr. If it was all flat land towing with little traffic then i might do it but i think its pushing it.

NHRA225 · 12-30-2019, 06:47 AM

Year before last I towed my 26ft Enclosed Race Trailer from Indy to Brainerd Mn- Empty- Picked up my Freshly painted Race Car and came right back-1600 miles. No Sweat ! I did use a WD set-up.

Jay D. · 12-30-2019, 10:52 AM

you can't be that much shorter than a std. 1500 pickup. I tow a 6500# T/T with a gmc 5.3 with 342 gears and have no problems at all with power. use a W/D hitch and go for it, paying attention to how you load the trailer is going to have the biggest effect. it should work fine.
Jay D.

rblanch · 12-30-2019, 12:43 PM

I have a 2015 Yukon Denali XL 4WD with the 6.2L engine 8 speed trans with 3.20 or 3.25 gear ratio. I pull a 24' Triton weighing around 6,000# on the highway regularly. Pulls really nice will even go into overdrive around 72mph. It does have the factory rear load leveling so it also stays level.

benandjen · 12-30-2019, 03:16 PM

rblanch& nhra225 both offer encouraging posts with real life experience. My truck is older than theirs, but otherwise not much difference. I also have the level ride suspension, it has a brand new air compressor.

Should I add a transmission cooler before I try this? I heard they were cheap and easy to install. My transmission is the 6L80.

Also, what kind of hitch, sway bar setup should I start researching? I towed a jetski when I was a kid, but other than that I don't have any real experience.

NHRA225 · 12-30-2019, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benandjen

rblanch& nhra225 both offer encouraging posts with real life experience. My truck is older than theirs, but otherwise not much difference. I also have the level ride suspension, it has a brand new air compressor.

Should I add a transmission cooler before I try this? I heard they were cheap and easy to install. My transmission is the 6L80.

Also, what kind of hitch, sway bar setup should I start researching? I towed a jetski when I was a kid, but other than that I don't have any real experience.

The pic in mine is my Wife’s Denali - 6.2 425 hp
It has a Tranny and oil cooler but the temps I towed in were from 20 deg here to -10 up there and back .
If yours doesn’t have a T- cooler install one.
I’ve always use Reese Hitches
Or Craig’s list if you trust it !

kdauto · 12-30-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benandjen

rblanch& nhra225 both offer encouraging posts with real life experience. My truck is older than theirs, but otherwise not much difference. I also have the level ride suspension, it has a brand new air compressor.

Should I add a transmission cooler before I try this? I heard they were cheap and easy to install. My transmission is the 6L80.

Also, what kind of hitch, sway bar setup should I start researching? I towed a jetski when I was a kid, but other than that I don't have any real experience.

Are you sure it doesn't already have a trans cooler from the factory? Geez, my 1994 had 2 trans coolers, an engine oil cooler, and even a power steering cooler!

I'd also be surprised if it didn't have a factory hitch pre-installed. Did you check behind the removable plastic cover?