Hey All....really could use some "non-salesman" advice here.I have a 2009 Yukon SLE, 4WD that the yellow sticker says it can pull 7,300lbs and up to 8,400lbs max (includes weight of driver only) and yes, it has a tow package with cooling whatever.I currently pull a 2014 Skyline Nomad 241 that is dry weight of 4700lbs....easy, breezy to tow. I don't have to think twice about weight and how I pack.I am about to sign on a deal for a 2016 Forest River Wildwood 27RKSS that is a dry weight of 6,355. Dealer says they wouldn't be allowed to sell me a trailer my tow vehicle couldn't pull, but...I am nervous, because I know i am up there on the weight. I realize I will need to tow with little to no water and mind my cargo load.We tend to travel for a straight 5 weeks out of the year staying one to two nights per a location. We hit every kind of terrain. I love the space this new trailer could afford us, but I am concerned about engine strain.I've tried running through all of the calculations and my mo=ind is boggled. I am turning to the forum for words of caution and experience. I am done running the numbers...so please don't suggest that.Is this too close on weight limit or am I over thinking it and will be fine?Thank you!Samantha

Too close? Naw, your already over.

ooh...hmmm...that is disconcerting. What - iyho - would you say is the limit I should stick to?

Because you have towing experience, and you have done some pretty good checking too, you have realized that it's close to maximum capacity. One thing to consider is your hitch, and you will want one that is well rated. The trailer is long, it's tall, and no doubt it's beautiful too. Five weeks of gear, including everything you and your lad will need, weighs a lot. It sounds like you enjoy staying for short times, and moving on. My guess is that you are going to be able to do it, but you might not like driving it. It's really true how when you get close or slightly over the limits, driving goes from a relaxed time, to the "white knuckle" feeling when the tail seems to wag the dog and you are clenching the steering wheel.If you buy the trailer and the driving it difficult, are you willing to move up a notch in your tow vehicle?

Interesting insight and good question!My poor husband has already had to upgrade his vehicle/my tow vehicle once before. He is in the market to get a newer Yukon, stronger engine, but most likely 2WD...but that might be a year off. Planning to do Big bend National Park (towing out from Bluffton, SC) in November. That would be our first round of experience with the setup.We have a heavy duty hitch and excellent sway bars. I am very confident and whipping my current camper in and out of gas stations, parking lots and up mountain passes. Only white-knuckle experience to date was crossing the Montana plains last summer during a storm. I had to remind myself to breathe!Anyway...the mentioned trip will be about 2.5 weeks. Won't do the longer trip until the following summer and hope to have a new tow vehicle by then. I just don't won't to strain this engine before that time. My husband is trusting me to make the right or rather the best decision that also protects the life of the tow vehicle engine. So..I don't take this lightly.

GCWR minus scaled loaded ready to camp weight is?Trailers GVWR?Towing capacity as found from line 1 minus line 2 equals?Real world tou might make it work, IF the TV is empty except the driver, trailer is basically empty, no food, water, propane, clothes, dishes and you might be OK.

Towing 6355lbs/Yukon designed to pull 7,300 - Need advice

APT
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
Your signature says your Tahoe has the 4.8L v8 is that true? The tow rating of 2009 Tahoe with 4.8L is under 5000 pounds.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 27, 2016
Well a properly equipped Yukon would handle that trailer with no problems. but seeing as how you have the 4.8 and probably 3.08 gears, that would be limited to a very large PuP! or a very small TT.
Samanthahhi
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
Sorry...signature is wrong. It's a 5.3 4wd
BarneyS
Explorer III
Apr 27, 2016
Samanthahhi wrote:
Need-A-Vacation...didn't see any link in your response.

It is probably the one at the bottom, in his signature as he mentioned. titled "Cat Scale How to"
Barney
carringb
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
1/2-tons can tow their max tow rating, or haul passengers, but not at the same time! That's where folks get into trouble.

And trailer "dry" weights needs to go away. It's only useful for the transport companies, and it's a bit of a scam that they don't include "options", when many "options" are mandatory, and only are listed in the options lists to avoid a higher posted dry weight.
APT
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
If you have the 5.3L/6spd/3.42 axle, then I'd try it. Just consider what you would do if you are not comfortable with the setup. Are you willing to replace the Tahoe next month? There really are not many SUVs with more capability than you have already. Are you willing to get a pickup or full sized VAN? Basically, you want to formulate the backup plan. If you do not have one, then you may not want to change what you are already happy with.

A 5-week trip means a lot of stuff. I expect you'll be traveling right at 8k pounds with that new RV.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 27, 2016
Samanthahhi wrote:
Sorry...signature is wrong. It's a 5.3 4wd

Ok then. The 5.3 with 3.42 gears and 6speed auto is a strong combo. A 6300lb dry trailer will weigh 7500 loaded for a trip. You'll be maxed out, but is doable! But seeing as you already cancelled the deal, look for a trailer that is no more than 5500lbs dry. You'll be less than 7k lbs ready to travel. And most importantly as far as performance, the lower the height the better. Keep the height at 10 1/2 feet tall and performance will be better than an 11 or 11 1/2 foot tall trailer!
Samanthahhi
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
Dodge..this is great info. Ididn't know that about the height. Sounds like I already have the perfect trailer lol! Except for the floor plan. I've got a growing boy and I need to eventually get a camper with a larger sofa or bunk beds. Thank you. To move up, I'll need to wait until I get a stronger TV.
Samanthahhi
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
APT...we can't upgrade TV at the moment. I just need to let it go for now. It is nice with my current setup that I can just toss whatever in and I'm good. We've traveled over 8k miles in 2 years...summers only...and it had been liberating.

Nothing beats peace of mind!!!!
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 27, 2016
Check out Apex and Bullet ultralight trailers. You can get s lot of trailer right at or under 5,000 lbs dry. The trailer you were looking at is very do-able for the Tahoe you just have to pay very close attention to set up.

Good luck on this adventure!

Thanks!

Jeremiah