Comments towing with a recent Yukon 6.2L?

>> Google SAE J2807

That article was very enlightening. How unfortunate (for us) that they can't seem to get their act together on the standard.

The 2015 Expedition w/Ecoboost is so new that there is zero information online about real world towing, however I have read many reports from the F-150 crowd with Ecoboost and they seem to be very happy with the towing performance.

>> You can get still get the dmax in the big Chevy and GM vans. It is de-rated but still powerful. You may want to reconsider a large van

If it was just me I would consider the van. I just re-checked with the wife and got back a "Hell To The NO!" so I guess that is a dead-end :)

>> There's virtually no difference between the Suburban/Yukon XL and Expedition EL.

OK I'll consider tow rating a toss-up. In the end the $12K price difference has won me over to Ford. I'll be sure to come back here and file a report on the Expedition and whichever trailer I end up selecting. Thanks again for everyone's feedback.

You can get still get the dmax in the big Chevy and GM vans. It is deratted but still powerful.

You may want to reconsider a large van

Don't get hung up on the tow rating when talking about an SUV for towing. Frankly, the it's a meaningless number.

There's virtually no difference between the Suburban/Yukon XL and Expedition EL. They both can handle about 1500 lbs of payload, and both have a RAWR around 4200 lbs.

You'll exceed those numbers long before you get anywhere near their max "tow rating."

Google SAE J2807

Why Your Pickup Truck’s Tow Rating is BS

Thanks everyone for your feedback, especially the photos. We have a 2001 7.3L F250 now but the issue of cramming 6 people in two rows is driving us towards an SUV. I actually started out looking at a 3500HD dually Chevy pickup but shockingly there is only a lap belt in the front center position. After researching safety I came to realize having any child in the front row, even with a shoulder belt (only Ford has the front center shoulder belt out of GM/Ford/Dodge) is a really bad idea due to the airbag possibly injuring/decapitating a child. I even considered converting a 6 door 350/3500 truck http://www.customautosbytim.com/ but that cost would be at least $73K+ (~$40K for a 2013 used F350 and $33K for the conversion to 6 doors) and the length of that vehicle would preclude it being used as a daily driver. That is too much to invest in something that is only occasionally used. I mentioned the full size van thing but the wife quickly shot that down.

>> Unless its an XL your six people will be really cramped inside. That third seat is really for looks
Yes we are looking at XL. I was under the impression the only difference between non-XL and XL was the rear cargo area. I could be mistaken.

>> 1/4 tank of gas and one 150 pound occupant reduces your trailering payload.
>> the real world I think about 75% of factory tow rating is the max for a COMFORTABLE tow.
Thanks, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

Yesterday I ended up looking at a Ford Expedition EL with the Ecoboost V-6 twin turbochargers (365HP/420 ft lb torque). Its tow rating is 9100 lbs with 4WD so it is significantly higher than the Yukon XL. The engine seems a lot more refined than the GMC 6.2L and pulls very nicely with a broad torque curve. It also has an available rear leveling system.

So our current thinking is go with the Expedition and downsize trailer to closer to the 7000 lb range so we can have that safety margin. The third row seat is advertised as adult-capable and I verified that by trying it out (6'+ 240 lbs) - it would be OK for an adult at least for short distances. Of course I will have children in those seats.

>> empty is 6800lbs. Loaded I figure I am at about 7500-7700
If I can keep my trailer cargo down to 800 lbs that should mean the trailer will be ~7800 lbs. GCWR is 15,300 and 6103 curb weight. If I count 600 lbs people, that leaves me 800 lbs for fuel and cargo. It will definitely be right on the edge so I will keep looking for a trailer that is about 1000 pounds lighter so I can have that safety margin.

I agree with LarryJM. You can do it, but it's going to be taxing to the driver.

When I went from a 4,400 lb. trailer to a 7,300 lb. trailer on an SUV (rated to tow 8,950 lbs.), it was too much for me. Soft rear suspension and passenger car tires made the rear too "loose" for me.

txcraig wrote:
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 of 7900 (with 4WD). It's not clear how much the 5 additional people reduces the towing capacity since the max towing states 'driver only'. All 6 people are about 650 lbs. The max payload is 1519 ( http://www.gmc.com/yukon-xl-denali-premium-suv/features-specs/options.html ) so if I subtract out people that leaves 869 for tongue weight and cargo in the vehicle. So it seems like I would be several hundred pounds over at a minimum. If I choose a lighter trailer I lose a lot of desired features.

I am wondering if anyone that tows with this SUV/engine can provide some insight on how it handles trailering.

Thanks

IMO ... TOO MUCH TT for the TV or NOT ENOUGH TV for the TT.

I'm a firm believer in always wanting more TV than absolutely necessary and I say that not from all the number crunching, but from a human safety standpoint. You might be fine for that 1 or maybe 2 hour tow, but if you ever plan on any more than that the extra attentiveness and attention to all that is happening with your TT/TV combo can be EXTREMELY DRAINING both physically and emotionally. And I'm not taking from a strict "white knuckle" type experience, but one where you have to constantly monitor how everything is responding to every passing 18 wheeler, etc. If your TV/TT combo can't be simply driven w/o basically ignoring that you have something behind you then again IMO you have a mismatched combo. I'm not advocating that is how you want to tow, but having a comfortable and enjoyable towing experience is IMO a HUGE FACTOR SAFETY WISE.

I have an extremely comfortable tow combo and I make the trip from NOVA down to FL. every couple of years and dread some of I-95 in the NC/SC area when there are those right shoulder area pot holes present that I try and avoid so I don't damage my ST tires. When these conditions are there I know I'm EXHAUSTED after only about 2 to 3 hours of towing just from the additional attention and avoiding those potholes as much as possible that I do.

Larry

I have a new 2015 Yukon with the 5.3 and a 33' travel trailer that empty is 6800lbs. Loaded I figure I am at about 7500-7700 (I don't travel with water in the tanks). I used to pull with a 2500 cummins dodge. Is the Yukon the same as the cummins? No, but it does just fine. My max trailer rating is 8200 lbs. The new yukon (If purchased with max trailer package) also comes with the automatic rear air leveling system which helps the stability and level towing & integrated break controller. Unlike others I actually think if you take your time you will be fine. I am not nervous pulling my trailer. Not as good as my old 3/4 ton but does the job just fine. Actually, in looking at the specs of that trailer, I think that may be one of the best options for the Yukon of you want to go that long. Many others in that size have an 8000b dry rating with well over 10k GVWR. The Passports are the only others in this weight range that I have seen with similar features. Not sure the construction difference?? With that said, I agree that you are at your max.

You will be well over your ratings with that trailer. A safer bet would be to find a trailer that has a GVWR of 6,000 lbs. at the very most, If you are certain you want that Yukon. A full size one ton van would suit your large family better, and provide you with more towing capabilities. If 4x4 is needed, a Crew Cab 3/4 or 1 ton truck will be your best choice.

I have a family of 5 (three teenagers, total family weight of ~800 lbs), and a trailer that weighs ~6800 lbs fully loaded.

With a 3/4 ton Suburban, I'm right at my max payload of 2088 lbs, and right at my max GVWR of 8600 lbs. That trailer is way too much for a Tahoe.

Yes, the engine is strong enough to pull that trailer, but that's about it. You still have a semifloater rear axle (the weakest point, IMHO), and you'll be likely overloaded on your RAWR.

Pulling a 2000-3000 lb boat? Hey, great, the Tahoe will be fine. Pulling a 7,000-lb travel trailer? No way.

Here's a recent weigh slip for my rig:

txcraig wrote:
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 of 7900 (with 4WD). It's not clear how much the 5 additional people reduces the towing capacity since the max towing states 'driver only'. All 6 people are about 650 lbs. The max payload is 1519 ( http://www.gmc.com/yukon-xl-denali-premium-suv/features-specs/options.html ) so if I subtract out people that leaves 869 for tongue weight and cargo in the vehicle. So it seems like I would be several hundred pounds over at a minimum. If I choose a lighter trailer I lose a lot of desired features.

I am wondering if anyone that tows with this SUV/engine can provide some insight on how it handles trailering.

Thanks

Hello,

Sounds like a great family vehicle for you. With 420 hp and 460 lb ft of tq there is little doubt that the Denali will have more than adequate power.

I rented a 2015 Suburban a few weeks back and spent about 700 miles in that truck. This one was the 5.3 with significantly less power than the Denali you are considering. However, there were some serious reservations for me in considering this vehicle for a serious tow vehicle. Here are my concerns:

• The Rear suspension was VERY soft and moved around a lot with a moderate load in the truck
• the seats were very uncomfortable after about 100 miles

With all that said...Here are some facts... because you are bound to get opinions and I have gave you my two big opinions on how this truck feels on the road. I would like to think the Denali will have better seats.

Here are a few pics I took of the 2015 Suburban

This is the all important receiver rating. Your trailer could easily exceed the 1000 lb WD hitch rating. Travel Trailers tongue weight can easily exceed 10% of the actual loaded weight for the trailer. It could easily be 12-15%.



Here is a pic of the lower a-arm.. pretty beefy



Here is a shot where you can see the upper a-arm and the sway bar, again, pretty beefy



Finally, here is a shot of the tires max weight capacity at max PSI



There are other experts on here who will diassect the GVWR, Payload, etc of the trailer. I think you are maxed out with that trailer. Will it pull it, yes, will it stop it, yes, will the chassis handle it, yes.. but you will likely exceed the payload capacity.

Thanks!

Jeremiah