2013 GMC Yukon towing capability

[Gator11]

Hey all-

I was wondering if my 2013 Yukon that has a 8100 lb. towing capacity would be able to handle a Heartland travel trailer WD3175 RE? This trailer is 6995 lbs and has a 630 lb. hitch weight. It is also almost 36 ft. long. (total length) This would make me about 1100 lbs. less than my max tow capacity. I will only be towing 2-300 miles and mainly staying in a seasonal campground. I would never be in the mountains and would not have to bring water or anything extra heavy. If this would not work....what would be the max weight trailer you would suggest? Thanks for your input in advance!!

Gator

[TXiceman]

Short answer is More truck or less trailer.

Ken

[wintersun]

The maximum rating covers the loads that the truck's components can handle without rapid wear or damage and from the numbers your Yukon will be OK.

Something that is an unknown is how long it would take to stop the trailer using only the Yukon's brakes should something go wrong with the ones on the trailer or the brake controller. I found this out with my Chevy Tahoe and it took a country mile to stop with a 3500 lb. trailer load. After that experience I stopped using the Tahoe to tow this trailer load.

With your infrequent trips and very low miles involved there is nothing to worry about. Get the weight distributing hitch and a good brake controller (if your Yukon did not come with it as part of the tow package option).

A backup camera is also a good add-on.

[mkirsch]

The one universal truth of towing is that everything is heavier than you think it is.

[pappcam]

That 6995 lbs. figure is completely fictional and useless. I assume it'll be over 8000 lbs. loaded for camping. Too much for the Yukon IMO but it's up to you.

[BenK]

Oh, on the F150 you have access to...make sure it is not the other smaller half tons,
but the fake one with a +8K GVWR

Otherwise, it's just another half ton like your half ton SUV

[BenK]

Keith is correct and add my comments embedded below in red

Gator11 wrote:
Hey all-

I was wondering if my 2013 Yukon that has a 8100 lb.

Wich Yukon?

The Tahoe/Yukon or the Suburban/YukonXL?

All four can be half ton SUVs, with the Sub derivative a 8,600 GVWR

The 8,100 MTWR is derived from a 'curb' TV...best to actually weigh
your SUV to find out where you are in reference to the ratings. Then
note that, that 8,600 MTWR is reduced pound for pound that your SUV
is over 'curb'

towing capacity would be able to handle a Heartland travel trailer WD3175 RE? This trailer is 6995 lbs and has a 630 lb. hitch weight. It is also almost 36 ft. long. (total length)

If the tongue weight percentage of total trailer weight...it has a big
potential of being a BAD trailer. Too low a tongue weight contributes
to sway. Factored by many, but the other biggie is tongue attitude.
Meaning it should point slight down, to level at it's highest pointing

Tongue weight should be in the 12%-15% range for better/best handling

This would make me about 1100 lbs. less than my max tow capacity. I will only be towing 2-300 miles and mainly staying in a seasonal campground. I would never be in the mountains and would not have to bring water or anything extra heavy.

Mountains would exacerbate, but even level ground...think you will
have a handful and note that all things engineered/designed is for
the worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses your path.

Either you have the proper sized and proper setup spot on, nor not.
No time to go back to the story for bigger or to resetup

Yes, distance means more time on the road and more time exposed to
the potential of Mr Murphy work

You didn't say which engine you have and assume half ton, so might
be the smaller small block...meaning I think you will be struggling
More so if you encounter head/side winds

If this would not work....what would be the max weight trailer you would suggest? Thanks for your input in advance!!

Gator

Best to go out and actually weighing your SUV fully loaded to know
where you are in reference to the ratings

Then plug that weight into the various ratings your SUV comes with
from the factory

This diagram might help you see and understand how the over all system
works (ratings)

howmuchshoulditow howmuchcanitow

[APT]

A 7000 pound dry TT will be every bit of 8000 pounds loaded for a long weekend with 1000 pounds of tongue weight. You likely have about 1450 pounds of payload to support your family, things to occupy their travel time, and trailer tongue weight. Your Yukon will be over the tow rating, GVWR, and rear axle rating. You also have a 1000 pound tongue weight receiver limit.

An F-150 with 9100 pound tow rating may also be over some of its ratings too. Since this is a RE, I'll assume you have do not have children to bring with you. Stick closer to 6k dry and I think you'll be much happier. How about the Keystone Passport 3180?

[mbopp]

Use the F150.....

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[Campfire_Time]

Even if you moved it only once a year paying for a mover might be worthwhile.

[Gator11]

Thanks for all of the responses. I will probably be moving it once a year. I do have access to a F510 supercrew w/9100 tow capacity and trailer tow package. I think this would be better, but I am not sure if this is enough either.

[easycamper]

When you say mainly staying at a seasonal campground, how often do you expect to be moving the trailer?

[Campfire_Time]

The other thing you don't want to exceed is the GCWR, that is the total allowable weight of the tow vehicle and trailer. In your case, if you have the 5.3l and K5L HD Cooling Pkg, and 3:42 gears, your GCWR is 14000#. Sound like a lot. The curb weight of that truck is around 6k# and the GVWR of the trailer is 8600#. That exceeds the GCWR of the truck. Even if you pack really light, you'll be right at 14,000#.

You'll want a trailer that's at least 2000# lighter than this one.

Since its going to be a seasonal, why not pay to have to towed to the site? Then all this weight stuff is moot.

[Francesca_Knowl]

The weight you give for the Heartland WD3175 RE is the curb weight- not so much as a pair of socks in it. Your planning number must be gross weight, in this case 8600 pounds. Link to trailer specs