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1ed's avatar
1ed
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017

1995 Yukon towing a 21Ft Trailer

Do you think this would be a good match. I have a 1995 Yukon with 4wd and 117 wb and the trailer I thinking of towing is a North Trail 17FX with dry weight of 3900lbs Your Thoughts, Thanks Ed
  • what is the gross vehicle weight rating on the door sticker? is it 6800
    While it is rated to tow 7000 lbs
    With a curb weight of 5300 lbs and a gross vehicle rating of 6800. That gives you a payload of +- 1500 lbs
    The trailer subtracts about 600 lbs from the 1500 leaving you 900 lbs for additional payload
    So I think you are good to go
  • Towed a similar trailer with a 99 ( same body style) Yukon for years. Used a brake controller and WD hitch. Tow capacity is 6500 and GVWR is about 6800. Curb weight is about 5000. We never had an issue stopping or going. Uphill was a little slower, but 65 on the freeway was never a problem.
  • One thing I am concerned about is the length and the handling and I guess I need a brake controller too.
  • You ABSOLUTELY need a brake controller. Don't leave home without it. Length shouldn't matter, especially with a trailer that short.
  • 1ed wrote:
    One thing I am concerned about is the length and the handling and I guess I need a brake controller too.


    Required by law.
  • As long as the Yuk is in good shape, it's a good match for a trailer like that.
  • Yeah...you should be very concerned with handling issues. Years ago short bed pickups had 117"-120" wheelbase and made poor tow vehicles for bumper pull trailers. BTDT and I don't want to ever go there again.

    You sure want a brake controller and especially a good weight distributing hitch for that very short wheel base tow vehicle.
  • JIMNLIN wrote:
    Yeah...you should be very concerned with handling issues. Years ago short bed pickups had 117"-120" wheelbase and made poor tow vehicles for bumper pull trailers. BTDT and I don't want to ever go there again.

    You sure want a brake controller and especially a good weight distributing hitch for that very short wheel base tow vehicle.


    Seriously?
    How is it less safe to pull a lightweight 20' trailer with a short full size than a 40' trailer with a longer wheelbase? The ratio may actually favor the short rig.
  • Back to the question. Running a 98 Yukon 4wd 5.7L engine. We pull a 20 foot trailer, gross weight around 5,000. 1.) Weight Distribution hitch. 2.)Check your alternator. 3.) Make sure you have fairly new shocks on that baby. 4.) At least 'D' rated tires. 5.) Have the cooling system checked out. 6.) Brakes!!! I would also have the suspension checked. Use a brake controller and make sure you understand how to set it up statically. You should be fine.
    tim in san jose

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