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zell66's avatar
zell66
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013

towing capacity 2001 GMC Yukon XL 8.1 liter engine

this will probably start a fire storm but I need to know some information. I'm looking at buying a 2001 GMC Yukon XL suburban 2500. it has a rear axle of 3.73. And what I can find online towing capacity is around 10,500 pounds. my question is in reality what is the potential towing capacity of this vehicle? I only tow about 2,000 miles a year generally flat terrain no mountains. I currently have a 1995 3/4 ton suburban with a 7.4. The trailer we just purchased is a 96 Jaco 37.5 foot with a dry weight of 10,000 pounds. I have a family of 6 and do not drive it enough to justify a diesel and this is a hell of a deal on this you can. My other options would be a Ford Excursion with a v10 but I would be going backwards in fuel economy. not that my current vehicle does any better at around 10 miles to the gallon towing
  • krobbe wrote:
    The 3/4ton Suburban has over 1000# more payload than the Excursion.
    2003 Suburban 3/4-Ton 2WD 8.1L(496ci)V-8 CurbWt:5620#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:2980#


    That is just not accurate. Payloads for 8.1L 3/4 ton 5WD isright aroudn 2000 pounds. 2WD adds 300 pounds. 2980 might be a stripper 2WD 6.0L, but that big block is heavy.
  • APT wrote:
    krobbe wrote:
    The 3/4ton Suburban has over 1000# more payload than the Excursion.
    2003 Suburban 3/4-Ton 2WD 8.1L(496ci)V-8 CurbWt:5620#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:2980#


    That is just not accurate. Payloads for 8.1L 3/4 ton 5WD isright aroudn 2000 pounds. 2WD adds 300 pounds. 2980 might be a stripper 2WD 6.0L, but that big block is heavy.


    Why always recommend going out and actually weighing your setup, axle
    by axle. Both empty and fully loaded. As the only way to *KNOW* where
    you are in reference to the ratings

    Think about it...the options matrix is huge and these labels would then
    have huge numbers of *DIFFERENT* payloads

    One for the AC option. Another for 4x4. Another for power door locks
    Another for power window. Another for automatic. Another for upgrade
    interior. Another for upgrade exterior. Another for 2nd and 3rd row
    seats. etc etc etc....then one with the combined AC & 4x4...then the
    huge ETC for the multiplexing of all of the above or option combo
    possibilities

    Then the other stuff folks load into and onto their TV's and
    trailers...multiplexed with the above multiplexed label listings



    They have to use the 'curb' and so many have no clue what that is

    Here is a link to a thread where try to explain how it works and an
    example is my Sub's simple math using the curb (link shows my last
    smog test data sheet that lists the 'curb' for my 7.4L 2500, which
    is the data from GM (all OEM's provide their curb to all DMV's for
    this testing and other usage requiring a 'curb' number)


    http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27214737/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm
    BenK wrote:

    So according to how most folks 'think' it works...taking the GVWR of
    8,600 minus the curb of 5,250 = 3,350 lb payload or cargo capacity or
    rating
  • our 2004 sub 6.0 k2500
    payload 2391

    options
    lt, sunroof, bose, leather, center buckets, g80
  • The tire and loading sticker is on the door frame. The other axle rating sticker is on the door.