About to purchase first TT, questions about towing.

Question

Tow Vehicle: 2006 GMC Yukon XL SLE with 5.3L V8 OHV 16V FFV
Curb Weight: 5269 lbs
Max Trailer Weight: 8500 lbs
GCWR: 14000 lbs

Future Travel Trailer: Gulfstream Conquest 268RBK
Dry Weight: 6110 lbs
Hitch Weight: 820 lbs

Manual states that the tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of total loaded trailer weight up to a max of 1000lbs. I have a stock hitch.

Assumptions: I have 180 lbs of leeway on the tongue and 2621 lbs of leeway on GCWR based on dry weights. Am I cutting it to close?

kknowlton · Answer

Yes, you're probably cutting it too close. A TT with a "dry" weight of 6110 is likely to have a loaded weight somewhere between 7000-8000 lbs.  What's the trailer's GVWR?

shoptiva · Answer

The Yukon GVWR is 7000 lbs, oddly enough, the TT GVWR is blank on Gulfstream's web site:

Length 30'8"
Height 10'9"
GVWR
Dry Weight 6,110 lbs.
Hitch Weight 820 lbs.
Net Carrying Capacity 1,710 lbs.
Black Water Tank Cap 37 gal.
Grey Water Tank Cap 37 gal.
Fresh Water Tank Cap 54 gal.
LP Gas Tanks 2 x 20 lb.
Furnace 25,000 BTU
Water Heater 6 gal.

westend · Answer

Your tongue weight will be over 900 lbs, when loaded. Add 100 lbs. for a hitch. You'll need to keep everything under the payload ratings of the Yukon. I'm betting once you load passengers, fuel, and accessories in the Yukon, you'll be at the ragged edge of the rating, if not over. Also, the combination will not be that pleasant of an experience.

gmt830 · Answer

Regardless of what you get for a trailer, dump the stock hitch. They are garbage. When you have it off the vehicle and compare the weight to a nice Curt or Reese Class IV you will understand.

The new hitch will have the receiver closer to the bumper requiring more drop or less rise. Change the truck hitch first and it will prevent you from buying another shank. Leson learned the hard way here......

chuck_gail · Answer

Ask GMC what the VEHICLE (not receiver, VEHICLE) tongue weight spec is. Likely 850#. You need to have a tongue weight between 13% and 15% of TOTAL LOADED TT weight for high wall TT's. 10% is for boats and popups.

Most folks add at least 1000# over the UVW. Quite a few have troubloe staying below their GVWR. I suspect you will be over several spec limits with that combo.

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About to purchase first TT, questions about towing.

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