Towing with 1/2 ton SUV NEED ADVICE
I own a 2011 Yukon, 116" wheelbase, 5.3L, 3.42 ratio, with HD tow package, tow rating of #8,500. I'm looking at buying a TT but am unsure about how much of a trailer my vehicle can safely handle. I am...
Forum Discussion
Welcome to the forum!!
You can't really go by the "tow rating" on any vehicle when dealing with RVs...
Based on the specs you provided:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight - 5,460 Lbs
Dry Hitch Weight - 635 Lbs
In that size trailer you will on the average add at least 1000 lbs of "stuff", not counting fresh water, so you are looking at 6500 lbs loaded. If the tongue weight ratio stays the same, you will add about 750 lbs of tongue weight to the Yukon.
Best thing you can do is load up the Yukon like you are going camping, with a full tank of fuel and all passengers/luggage, and head for a scale. Subtract that loaded weight from the "GVWR" on the sticker on the driver's door jamb, and the remainder will be how much you have available for tongue weight.
That said, you are gonna have your hands full towing a 32' trailer with a short wheelbase vehicle like a Yukon. Our TT is 32' and about 8500 lbs loaded, and we invested in a Hensley Arrow hitch to make sure the TT behaves on the highway.
You can't really go by the "tow rating" on any vehicle when dealing with RVs...
Based on the specs you provided:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight - 5,460 Lbs
Dry Hitch Weight - 635 Lbs
In that size trailer you will on the average add at least 1000 lbs of "stuff", not counting fresh water, so you are looking at 6500 lbs loaded. If the tongue weight ratio stays the same, you will add about 750 lbs of tongue weight to the Yukon.
Best thing you can do is load up the Yukon like you are going camping, with a full tank of fuel and all passengers/luggage, and head for a scale. Subtract that loaded weight from the "GVWR" on the sticker on the driver's door jamb, and the remainder will be how much you have available for tongue weight.
That said, you are gonna have your hands full towing a 32' trailer with a short wheelbase vehicle like a Yukon. Our TT is 32' and about 8500 lbs loaded, and we invested in a Hensley Arrow hitch to make sure the TT behaves on the highway.
