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tcc11tcc's avatar
tcc11tcc
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013

Sluggish towing with GMC Yukon

I just picked up a used 2007 Jayco Exp 17C & towed it home last night with my 2011 GMC Yukon SLT. The drive was 2 hrs & lots of hills in TN. I had the tow mode on. It seemed to struggle up the big hills. Could only do about 60mph without the RPMs going above 3500 & the truck seeming like it was really working. I went about 60-65mph & averaged just above 8mpg. The weight of the camper is about 3000lbs. I would think my Yukon shouldn't struggle at all. Don't know the axle ratio but at least my Yukon is rated to tow 7200lbs.

I tow a 19 foot bass boat with no issues. Maybe slowing in mountains for safety. I can do 70-75 no problem. Average about 12-13 mpg.

Is towing a camper that much different? Is 60mph a normal speed?

Do I need to do something to my Yukon to make it tow better? It's all factory except upgraded GMC 20" rims.

I did have a Prodigy 2 brake controller installed. Do I need a sway bar?

60 Replies

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  • tcc11tcc's avatar
    tcc11tcc
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    I am new to campers so I guess I didn't know what to expect. Sounds like everything is fine.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    tcc11tcc wrote:
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    A camper is much different, like towing a big sail. 60 mph is a good towing speed. 65 is max for trailer tires. The 20" rims and an already small rear gear will kill towing performance. Returning to stock tire size and adding a bigger gear ratio can make a big difference. I always recommend WD and SC for towing.


    WD Weight distribution & SC is that Sway Control?
    . Yes, sorry for the brevity but I am typing on my dumberry
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Jun 08, 2013
    It sounds to me like your trucks performance was perfectly normal. Most people get between 8-10mpg while towing a travel trailer. As has already been mentioned, it is not the weight but the wind resistance that is getting you. I would think many folks would be very happy to tow 60mph up large hills and average 8 mpg overall while doing it. :)
    Barney
  • tcc11tcc's avatar
    tcc11tcc
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    Are there better SUVs for towing? I thought the Tahoe/Yukon was great for towing? I am just not a truck kind of gal.
  • tcc11tcc's avatar
    tcc11tcc
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    A camper is much different, like towing a big sail. 60 mph is a good towing speed. 65 is max for trailer tires. The 20" rims and an already small rear gear will kill towing performance. Returning to stock tire size and adding a bigger gear ratio can make a big difference. I always recommend WD and SC for towing.


    WD Weight distribution & SC is that Sway Control?
  • tcc11tcc's avatar
    tcc11tcc
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    I am not very mechanically inclined. How do I find out what gear ratio it has? I had a Nissan Armada before & it towed my boat like it wasn't even there. I realize the wind resistance issues but I was really surprised at how my Yukon towed the camper (meaning higher RPMs & 8mph). What mpg do others get? I know the engine is 5.3L
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    What you are experiencing sounds just about right and what you can expect.

    Slow down for better mileage.
    What motor and rear end gearing in the Yukon?
    Sway bar? How does it handle now?
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    A camper is much different, like towing a big sail. 60 mph is a good towing speed. 65 is max for trailer tires. The 20" rims and an already small rear gear will kill towing performance. Returning to stock tire size and adding a bigger gear ratio can make a big difference. I always recommend WD and SC for towing.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    Let it run up near 5k rpm and it will get er done. You arent going to hurt the engine. I had a half ton GMC with 5.3 that i pulled my 28ft tt with a couple times and ran it at the upper end of the tach for hours.
  • 6_7_tow_rig's avatar
    6_7_tow_rig
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    The difference between a camper and boat is wind resistance. The camper is a big sail, the boat isn't. Gas engines aren't like diesels, they make their power high in the rpm range and yes it can be annoying. I would have thought your vehicle would have handled that weight a little bit better, but depending on the gear ratio you very well may struggle.

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