Comments towing with a recent Yukon 6.2L?
I am looking at the 2015 'i' model year Yukon Denali with 6.2L 420 HP and 460 ft/lbs torque. We are a family of 6 and are looking at the K-Z S322BHK which has a GVWR of 8800. The Yukon says max towing...
Forum Discussion
How far are you planning on going on camping trips? What percentage of the time are you going to be pulling?
5460 dry is going to be 6500 loaded and by the time you load the camper and 6 people plus stuff in the Yukon you will still probably be over on the RAWR and close to the GCWR.
I pull a 7k toy hauler through the Colorado Rockies with a Tahoe and it does okay but a half ton is not made for pulling like a 3/4 or full ton. I'm a fairly experienced driver, Class A CDL and instructor for 5 years but after 200-300 miles I'm pretty tired. It handles okay but you have to plan way ahead to ensure you don't need to swerve or brake hard. This is where things tend to go to hell with too light a truck but I've never tried to brake hard or swerve with the camper so I don't know how it would react. Also it has to work hard so I'm always babying it so it doesn't break anything.
I'm not trying to talk you out of the Yukon. They are great daily drivers, albeit too expensive and the rear seats are very uncomfortable for anyone but small children.
If you may end up wanting to upgrade the camper as the family grows up or if you think you may get the bug and want to go on longer trips it may be worth revisiting the 3/4 van or truck option. The only other option is an Excursion. Thanks EPA! OR if you kids are approaching driving age they could drive separate and may enjoy sleeping in a tent.
Sadly our options are getting more and more limited but more expensive.
5460 dry is going to be 6500 loaded and by the time you load the camper and 6 people plus stuff in the Yukon you will still probably be over on the RAWR and close to the GCWR.
I pull a 7k toy hauler through the Colorado Rockies with a Tahoe and it does okay but a half ton is not made for pulling like a 3/4 or full ton. I'm a fairly experienced driver, Class A CDL and instructor for 5 years but after 200-300 miles I'm pretty tired. It handles okay but you have to plan way ahead to ensure you don't need to swerve or brake hard. This is where things tend to go to hell with too light a truck but I've never tried to brake hard or swerve with the camper so I don't know how it would react. Also it has to work hard so I'm always babying it so it doesn't break anything.
I'm not trying to talk you out of the Yukon. They are great daily drivers, albeit too expensive and the rear seats are very uncomfortable for anyone but small children.
If you may end up wanting to upgrade the camper as the family grows up or if you think you may get the bug and want to go on longer trips it may be worth revisiting the 3/4 van or truck option. The only other option is an Excursion. Thanks EPA! OR if you kids are approaching driving age they could drive separate and may enjoy sleeping in a tent.
Sadly our options are getting more and more limited but more expensive.
