How much can a 2015 Yukon XL handle towing

Gulfstream Conquest 301TB

Looking at the tt specs, it is likely too much trailer. It may fall under your "tow rating" which doesn't mean much. You will likely exceed several other ratings first.

Your biggest issue will be payload of the Yukon. Look on the door jamb sticker to find what yours is. (weight of passengers....should not exceed...) That number must include the weight of all passengers and gear loaded in the Yukon, as well as the hitch and tongue weight of the trailer.

The numbers listed on the brochure are "dry" weights which are pretty useless to go by. Nobody travels with an empty trailer and it doesn't include factory added options. You should look at the delivered weight sticker for the specific tt you want, usually on the screen door o inside a cabinet.

The "dry" tongue weight is listed at 900lbs. It will be over 1k once the battery and propane tanks are added, and even more when you load you stuff into it.

I'd guess that the Yukons' payload is less than 1600lbs. For simplicity sake lets call the tongue weight 1k lbs, plus another 100lbs for the hitch. That leaves you 500lbs (likely less) for all the passengers and cargo in the Yukon.

Don't know what year your Yukon is but the '16 has a tow rating of 8300lbs. The "dry" weight of that trailer is 7100lbs. With options added it is probably closer to 7400lbs delivered. By the time you add you "stuff" it will exceed 8300lbs even with the tanks empty. Keep in mind as well that the tow rating is reduced pound for pound by the weight of passengers and cargo in the Yukon.

To sum it up, forget the tow rating. You need to know your vehicles' payload rating, axle ratings, tire ratings, hitch reciever rating, and weight of all passengers and cargo. Then find actual weights for the trailer. Estimate cargo weight added to trailer (~1k for a family of 4) and tongue weight (approx. 13% of loaded tt weight)

I think you'll find it greatly mismatched unless it's just you and a Chihuahua in the Yukon. If you can make the weights work, I think you will still find the 5.3l lacking in power for that tt.

Not sure where you got the trailer weight but the web site says the 301TB has a dry weight of 6990. I'd expect around 9,000 ready to camp. Your towing capacity is somewhere around 8,000. I suspect you are going to be way overweight in tow capacity and payload. You should shop for another truck or a lighter trailer.

Of course, if you ask the trailer salesman he'll say something like "sure it'll tow it just fine. No problem." Don't believe him/her.

Look at the specs.

I have a 2011 Tahoe with the trailer towing package. Here's what the book says.

Trailer weight ratings

2WD 8500(lbs)
4WD 8200(lbs)

Specs say DRY hitch weight of 900 lbs. That will go up significantly when you load it trip and camping ready.
Bunk house model probably means family...kids and the dog and all their gear and toys..

My opinion: your Yukon does not have enough payload for that trailer.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but Welcome to the Forum anyway.

Thank you all for the responses. I must say I am totally bummed that the 301TB will be too much for my vehicle. I spent so much time deciding, now it's back to the drawing board. Argh!
Our poor dealer that we have been working with will certainly earn her commission.

Your receiver limit is 1000 pounds. That's about 7000-7500 pounds loaded TT, or closer to 6k dry. Next limit is payload. Say you have 1400 pounds available based on options and equipment and the family weighs about 600 pounds total. That leaves 800 pounds left for loaded trailer tongue weight, or closer to 6000 pounds loaded.

I recommend checking this sticker on your driver's door for as equipped payload. Note what yours has where mine says 2051.



Also, check the sticker in the glove box for 3-character RPO codes. You want to confirm that it has GU6, K5L, and KNP for the 8000 pound tow rating, or you may only be at 6000-ish pounds.

Doesn't the payload listed on the sticker in the above post include a driver and full tank of fuel?

No. Usually full fluids but no allowance for driver or passengers. Simply the gross weight minus the curb empty weight. Not to be confused with the tow rating which allows weight for the driver (150lbs). The new SAE J2807 tow ratings allow weight for driver and a passenger (150lbs each).