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

54 Replies

Samanthahhi
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
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.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
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?
Samanthahhi
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
ooh...hmmm...that is disconcerting. What - iyho - would you say is the limit I should stick to?
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 26, 2016
Too close? Naw, your already over.

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

54 Replies

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