What TT Can A Yukon Pull?

[Doc007]

We have a 2021 Yukon 6.2 Ltr 4x4. The towing sticker says 7500#. What size travel trailer can I safely pull? What are the quality brands? Not interested in new.

We have had a Class A (BlueBird M380), a Class C (Coachman Prism Sprinter) and a Super C (Renegade Verona LE 40 LTS).

For several reasons we don't want to go back to anything like we had so now we am looking for something nice to tow for our summer getaways.

[Skip426]

Welcome to iRV2.

Most times the max trailer tow rating is determined with only a 150 lb. driver in the vehicle .
So you need to deduct the weight of all passengers , pets and gear in the vehicle from the max tow weight .

Load up the vehicle , with all the above , that you think you'd carry on a trip , fill it with fuel and go over the scales for front and rear axle weights to compare to the axle weight ratings, of your vehicle, to determine how much tongue weight you can safely add and how much weight you can tow and stay under the vehicle GCWR ( Gross Combined Weight Rating ) .

[LanceKeys]

I’m surprised at that number, thought it would be higher. Payload will be your limiting factor. Without taking all of the measurements listed above (that’s the best way) I would say you should be looking at a 6,000lb GVWR trailer. (80% of 7500). Ignore the dry weights listed.

Trailer dry weights and tow ratings are a scheme that the RV and truck manufacturers came up with to sell more 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Then after you get the bigger truck you might as well get the bigger trailer right?

[Doc007]

Originally Posted by LanceKeys

I’m surprised at that number, thought it would be higher. Payload will be your limiting factor. Without taking all of the measurements listed above (that’s the best way) I would say you should be looking at a 6,000lb GVWR trailer. (80% of 7500). Ignore the dry weights listed.

Trailer dry weights and tow ratings are a scheme that the RV and truck manufacturers came up with to sell more 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Then after you get the bigger truck you might as well get the bigger trailer right?

I would appreciate some anecdotal information about what similar vehicle owners are towing size wise. Quality brands are important too. Bigger truck and bigger trailer ain't gonna happen. BTDT.

[tpaul]

I have a 2019 Yukon Denali 6.2L with Max Tow including aux trans cooler. I tow a 24 ft. Outdoors RV Creekside 21RD. Trailer loaded is about 6700 lbs. Yukon loaded is about 6240 lbs. (2 adults, dog, folding bicycles, 12v refrig). Tongue weight is at 1000 lbs. So weight wise we are about at the max for this vehicle. My trailer is a little heavier than your average trailer its size so you could go longer with a lighter trailer but I wouldn't go too much longer. With the Yukon's relatively short wheelbase even with a WDH you would really start to notice the "sail" effect of the trailer.

But overall all we are happy with our setup. We do a fair amount of towing in the mountains and while it doesn't keep up with the diesels it does pretty well. And the ride in the Yukon is so much nicer than any pickup we have been in. But if we were to go to a bigger trailer then its time for a 250/2500.

As to the better used brands I will let others chime in on that. Lots of previous posts you can review. Lots of opinions.

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by Doc007

I would appreciate some anecdotal information about what similar vehicle owners are towing size wise. Quality brands are important too. Bigger truck and bigger trailer ain't gonna happen. BTDT.

Based on my understanding of the word " anecdotal" it's meaning is .....
" Not necessarily true or reliable " .

From my personal experience , what you need are facts . Towing capacity is based on actual weights .

Be safe out there .

[LanceKeys]

I towed a 28’ kz spree with a 2008 suburban with the 5.3. No doubt the yukon with the 6.2 is much more capable. I did add a trans cooler for days when I was driving against the wind.

I’ve had several RVs both fifth wheel and bumper pull, never thought one was made better than the others, they all seem about the same to me. Just get the one your wife likes the best, that’s always worked well for me. Just remember that if you don’t like it, you can always sell it and get something different.

[carybosse]

Not sure how much this will impact the towing capabilities of the Yukon, but there are a regular Yukon, similar to Chevy Tahoe, and the Yukon XL I believe, that is similar to the Suburban.

Based on my knowledge (minimal) and my experience owning a 2001 Tahoe, the capacity of the large GM SUVs will be less than a Silverado/Sierra. One of the issues I believe is simply the curb weight. A 2021 4WD Silverado Crew Cab Short Bed has a curb weight of 5390 pounds versus a 2021 4WD Yukon at 5827 pounds. My take on it was my 2WD Tahoe, with the added weight over the rear wheels, behaved better on ice/snow than a similarly equipped. pickup.

You are also looking at the pickup truck has more than 2 foot longer wheel base than the Yukon. The pickup truck has over a foot longer wheel base than the Yukon XL.

Based on those specs, this is a regular Yukon, not an XL. The GCWR should be either 14K or 14.5K. Payload is 1581 pounds.

The GCWR leaves the setup with roughly 8100 pounds of towing capacity and load in the Yukon. Figure 4 people and gear at a minimum of 700 pounds, that has you down to 7400 pounds. (The 7500 pound trailer number looks reasonable.)

If you choose a 5000 pound dry trailer, figure you add 1K in gear/water/etc. to it. That gets you to a 6000 pound trailer load, and probably a tongue weight of 720 to 900 pounds. Coupled with the 700 pounds for 4 people and gear, you are slightly over your payload capacity at that max tongue weight. Pack light.

[Doc007]

Originally Posted by Bill Gail

Based on my understanding of the word " anecdotal" it's meaning is .....
" Not necessarily true or reliable " .

From my personal experience , what you need are facts . Towing capacity is based on actual weights .

Be safe out there .

You are correct on the meaning of anecdotal. That is what I am looking for in addition to the facts. People's experiences are probably not completely true or totally reliable so next time someone tries to tell you about what they have done you might look them in the eye say that you don't want to hear it.

One other piece of information I should have mentioned in my initial post is that the 2021 Yukon/Tahoe is 6" longer than previous models and has independent rear suspension, although it probably doesn't make much difference here.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by Doc007

and has independent rear suspension

Originally Posted by LanceKeys

I’m surprised at that number, thought it would be higher

There's the reason for the low trailer weight rating

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by Doc007

We have a 2021 Yukon 6.2 Ltr 4x4. The towing sticker says 7500#. What size travel trailer can I safely pull? What are the quality brands? Not interested in new.

We have had a Class A (BlueBird M380), a Class C (Coachman Prism Sprinter) and a Super C (Renegade Verona LE 40 LTS).

For several reasons we don't want to go back to anything like we had so now we am looking for something nice to tow for our summer getaways.

The answer to your question seems to be in your post. The maximum size measured by gross weight is 7500 lb. when only a driver is in the Yukon.

The heavier the travel trailer, the more handling issues there will be. Many owners do well with a gross weight of 80% of specification. For the Yukon that would be 6000 lb.

The longer the TT, the more handling issues there will be. Flat sides and back are subject to cross winds and pressure waves from passing semi trucks on high speed roads. The Yukon may do OK with a 20 to 25 foot travel trailer. It depends on lots of things.

The tongue weight must also be considered. Tongue weight must be at least 10% of TT weight for stable towing. 15% is more stable. Longer TT's will create more handling issues with low tongue weights. Heavier tongue weights will cause rear suspension issues.

See door sticker for maximum cargo weight or payload weight. Subtract everything added to the Yukon since it left the factory. That includes passengers, luggage, equipment, absolutely everything except the driver. What remains is available for the tongue weight.

Published tongue weights of TT's can be found on the driver's side near the front of the TT. The sticker is Federally mandated. These numbers tend to be wrong. Both of my TT's came in with actual weights double the published weight. I had to re balance them to reduce tongue weight. Not fun.

Opinions as to what are good brands will vary extensively. New TT's are a gamble. You never know what you are going to get. Better brands have better odds of a good experience.

A two year old TT is often a better buy than new. Design and build issues have usually been corrected by then. This is especially true for shoddy brands. My Dutchmen Kodiak Cub still has things falling off after 5 years, but not as much.

I avoid Dutchmen, Kodiak, Keystone, Voltage brands. They are often cheaper than others. They tend to generate higher complaint rates and complaints are often more serious.

Airstream owners complain about fit and finish. Voltage owners complain about axles breaking loose.

More expensive brands tend to provide better experiences. Heavier TT's of the same size tend to be better built.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[Dave Pelletier]

The Yukon is just slightly less capable than a comparable 1/2 ton, due to the additional curb weight and IRS. I'd consider a loaded weight around 5,000 lbs to be my comfort level.

2 cents,
Dave

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

The Yukon is just slightly less capable than a comparable 1/2 ton, due to the additional curb weight and IRS. I'd consider a loaded weight around 5,000 lbs to be my comfort level.

2 cents,
Dave

Considering this is tax day, I initially could not figure out why the US Treasury Department would be involved in the towing capacity of a Yukon. Then it dawned on me, IRS was Independent Rear Suspension.

I would tend to agree with the 5K comfort level, which puts the dry weight down in the 4k range.

[bneukam]

Take a look at used Lance TT’s. The 1475, through the 1995 would make a great fit for your TV.

Casita, Bigfoot, and Oliver are other great choices, but are harder to find.