towing capacity 2001 GMC Yukon XL 8.1 liter engine

[zell66]

this will probably start a fire storm but I need to know some information. I'm looking at buying a 2001 GMC Yukon XL suburban 2500. it has a rear axle of 3.73. And what I can find online towing capacity is around 10,500 pounds. my question is in reality what is the potential towing capacity of this vehicle? I only tow about 2,000 miles a year generally flat terrain no mountains. I currently have a 1995 3/4 ton suburban with a 7.4. The trailer we just purchased is a 96 Jaco 37.5 foot with a dry weight of 10,000 pounds. I have a family of 6 and do not drive it enough to justify a diesel and this is a hell of a deal on this you can. My other options would be a Ford Excursion with a v10 but I would be going backwards in fuel economy. not that my current vehicle does any better at around 10 miles to the gallon towing

[PAThwacker]

The tire and loading sticker is on the door frame. The other axle rating sticker is on the door.

[PAThwacker]

our 2004 sub 6.0 k2500
payload 2391

options
lt, sunroof, bose, leather, center buckets, g80

[APT]

2100 pounds for a 2006 8.1L 4WD. It's still more than a comparable Excursion.

[BenK]

APT wrote:

krobbe wrote:
The 3/4ton Suburban has over 1000# more payload than the Excursion.
2003 Suburban 3/4-Ton 2WD 8.1L(496ci)V-8 CurbWt:5620#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:2980#

That is just not accurate. Payloads for 8.1L 3/4 ton 5WD isright aroudn 2000 pounds. 2WD adds 300 pounds. 2980 might be a stripper 2WD 6.0L, but that big block is heavy.

Why always recommend going out and actually weighing your setup, axle
by axle. Both empty and fully loaded. As the only way to *KNOW* where
you are in reference to the ratings

Think about it...the options matrix is huge and these labels would then
have huge numbers of *DIFFERENT* payloads

One for the AC option. Another for 4x4. Another for power door locks
Another for power window. Another for automatic. Another for upgrade
interior. Another for upgrade exterior. Another for 2nd and 3rd row
seats. etc etc etc....then one with the combined AC & 4x4...then the
huge ETC for the multiplexing of all of the above or option combo
possibilities

Then the other stuff folks load into and onto their TV's and
trailers...multiplexed with the above multiplexed label listings

They have to use the 'curb' and so many have no clue what that is

Here is a link to a thread where try to explain how it works and an
example is my Sub's simple math using the curb (link shows my last
smog test data sheet that lists the 'curb' for my 7.4L 2500, which
is the data from GM (all OEM's provide their curb to all DMV's for
this testing and other usage requiring a 'curb' number)


http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27214737/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

BenK wrote:

So according to how most folks 'think' it works...taking the GVWR of
8,600 minus the curb of 5,250 = 3,350 lb payload or cargo capacity or
rating

[krobbe]

APT - According to automobile-catalog.com the payload on the 2wd 6.0L is 3080#. That's where I pulled these numbers from.

[APT]

krobbe wrote:
The 3/4ton Suburban has over 1000# more payload than the Excursion.
2003 Suburban 3/4-Ton 2WD 8.1L(496ci)V-8 CurbWt:5620#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:2980#

That is just not accurate. Payloads for 8.1L 3/4 ton 5WD isright aroudn 2000 pounds. 2WD adds 300 pounds. 2980 might be a stripper 2WD 6.0L, but that big block is heavy.

[krobbe]

The 3/4ton Suburban has over 1000# more payload than the Excursion.
2003 Excursion XLT 2WD 6.8L(412ci)V-10 CurbWt:6735#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:1865#
2003 Suburban 3/4-Ton 2WD 8.1L(496ci)V-8 CurbWt:5620#, GVWR:8600#, Payload:2980#
The V10 410ci Excursion has 310hp@4250rpm and 425ft-lb Torq@3250rpm.
The 8.1L 496ci Suburban has 340hp@4200rpm and 455ft-lb Torq@3200rpm.
There's no replacement for displacement. 😉

[APT]

Considering your short towing distance, I would keep what you got unless you just want to replace it. And if you want to replace it, find a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup with 8.1L, V10, or diesel and take your other most fuel efficient vehicle for passengers .

[BurbMan]

APT makes a good point...I would not be a fan of 2 vehicles either, since we always had a lot of fun traveling as a family. But if you are staying local at under 2 hrs, wouldn't be the worst thing. The newer generation of burbs is much improved over the 90's generation in may ways, but the 8600 lb GVWR and basic tow ratings are pretty much the same. No question an 8.1 burb would tow the trailer better than than your 95 but it's still not the whole solution to the weight issue. Good luck and post back as to what you decide to do.,

[BenK]

Wanted to order full sized van, but no one offers a 4x4

After market wasn't good at that t ime, so ordered the next best...my K3500 Sub

Girls are gone, but a crop of nephew's n grandkids are here...so my Sub continues to be the main RV till they get their own

One nephew has a CTD crew 4x4, but with the second kid...noodling a HARD bed cap vs his current soft cap

So totally understand your plight

Good luck !



Via SmartPhone...excuse  the fat finger typos!

[zell66]

My last TT was a 30' and my current burban pulled it like a dream. Hate the idea of taking two vehicles. looks like I have some decisions to make over the winter.

[BurbMan]

I hear ya about the diesel....the V10 Excursion has its own set of issues, the numbers actually work out worse because it's a lot heavier than the Sub but it will get the job done almost as well as the Sub will. Good to know it tows OK now, but remember that will change when you load the trailer and pack the family in the truck.

Your other option if you don't need 4WD is a 350 or 3500 full size van. Will give you more room than a Sub and they make excellent tow vehicles. Something like this one.

If you really want to go for the burb, put the youngest kids in the way back seat to minimize the load back there, and pack the trailer to manage tongue weight. By manage I don't mean minimize because a trailer too light on the tongue will sway. You want to be over 10% but not by much....pack the trailer and run it over to the scales and see where you stand. Keep the brakes on the trailer dialed up....

[zell66]

we travel maybe 50 or 60 miles one way right now. We are blessed with MANY campgrounds and state and county parks close by and mostly all on water.

[Dadoffourgirls]

The Excursion has less payload than 2500 Suburban. You are at a max. Might be able to squeeze into 1 ton van, but not sure that they have tow rating.