Anyone towing with a Yukon Denali?

For an $8,000. maximum budget, I'm assuming you are looking at the GMT800 body style from 2000 to 2006 in GM's full size SUB line up. So what I'm about to say only applies to GMT800, not necessarily GMT900 (2007 and up). Partially, but not unequivocally. So back to the year range of affordability:

The key thing to remember is that the Denali has a different automatic transmission. It has the half ton rated 4L60e, whereas the 3/4 ton YukonXL will have either the 4L80e or the 4L85e, engine dependent. But either way, the 4L80/85 is much more stout of an auto tranny than the 4L60. GM and Workhorse Chassis used the 4L80 and 4L85 in 22,000 GVWR Class A motorhome chassis. On the other hand the 4L60 has not seen any OEM duty beyond a half ton light truck.

rachelslashr2b2 wrote:
Which engine do you have in your denali?

Its the 6.2

Which engine do you have in your denali?

I have a 2007 Yukon Denali XL. The Denali package also means the motor and transmission setup is different that standard Yukon. It also has the tow setting for the transmission. My TT is a 2011 Passport 2910bh. I believe I am at or around my max towing capacity for the 7,900 rated Yukon. The passport is 5,400lbs dry with 1,700lbs cargo capacity. I have pulled the TT from RI to Disney and Myrtle Beach with no issues. It gets about 8-9mpg when towing.

"Denali" is a trim level for GMC trucks, which are rebadged Chevy trucks for the
other GM badges who do not have a truck line of their own

A Denali trim level comes in 'Tahoe' sized (or Yukon), 'Suburban' sized (or Yukon XL),
and pickups (Sierra)

They range from 6.2K GVWR up to 8.6K GVWR...might be one in the next
higher class, but have not read of one yet

'Escalade' is the Caddy version (no Denali in the Caddy lineup) and comes with
the all aluminum 6.2L V8...lots of HP, but more car than truck engine, IMHO

Don't know if an Escalade comes in an 8.6K GVWR version

Do note that these are lux SUV's and Pickups with more bells and whistles than
the Chevy versions that they are based or derived from

The AWD versions have a viscous 3rd member (in the transfer case) and is
suspect for towing heavy.

They will tow what they are rated for (note the fine print of their spec sheets)

There should be plenty of 3/4 ton 6.0L equipped 3/4 tons of 2000-2006 that get into your price range. And V10 Excursions. www.autotempest.com should help you. Cars.com and Autotrader too. You will be a lot happier towing an RV with a 3/4 ton from era.

I like my 6.0L, but I would not have bought it in a half ton or mated to a 4-spd trans. Denali is a half ton with payload issues. It's a loaded up Yukon, so payload is down.