2018 Yukon Denali 4X4 vs 2018 Yukon Denali XL 4X4

[bradmarco]

Hi All,
I am at a point where I just can't decide on my new tow vehicle. I have a 33ft 2016 Radiance TT with a 6700lb dry weight. I currently tow it with a 2013 Tahoe 4X4: Vortec 5.3L V8, 320hp, 335 torque, 6-speed auto tran, wheelbase 116in, two capacity of 8300. I also use a weight distribution system. I find that this vehicle tows the TT pretty well, but could definitely use a some more power. Therefore I am in the market for a new tow vehicle, but could use some insight / recommendations from anyone with experience. The 3 vehicles I am considering all have the bigger 6.2L V8, 420HP, 460 torque, new 10-speed trans. YD 4X4 has towing capacity of 8200lb and 116in wheelbase. YD XL 4X4 with tow capacity of 8000lbs and wheelbase of 130in. One main question is will the longer wheelbase be a noticeable benefit from a towing perspective? If so, another option would be the 2X4 XL gaining 300lb of tow capacity (8300), but really don't want to give up the 4WD as I am so accustomed to having it available. Lastly, I have juggled the truck option, 2500, but really weigh toward the SUV side on a day-to-day basis and only towing 1-2 times per month within 4-5hr radius. But, if the truck is the way to go and tows that much better, I'm willing to consider, especially because i am planning much longer (7-14hr radius) trips once per year. Any thoughts or experiences, especially if you currently tow with either of these vehicles and can provide pros and cons, would be greatly appreciated!!

[intheburbs]

I'd go with the Denali XL. Longer wheelbase will make for a much better/more comfortable tow.

We are a family of 5, and the third row was always much-appreciated on the longer road trips. And the ability to seat 7 helped when we had extra guests with us. Can't do that with a pickup.

[IdaD]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
We need the SUV due to 3 kids and a dog, and we have a 35' trailer - so we baby our 2006 Suburban 2500 as we know it is irreplaceable.

We have three kids and a dog and our crew cab truck works great for us. The dog generally rides in her kennel in the back unless it's really hot or cold, in which case we flip up the center console and let her ride up on the front bench.

OP, I'd get a HD truck for that size trailer. Throw a pappy cap on it and all you're giving up versus the SUV is a third row of seating, and the truck is a better value. Gas or diesel would work fine so go with your preference there.

[Grit_dog]

You answered your own question mostly.
A new 6.2 10speed will be considerably stronger on the go pedal and the new chassis and trans are a nice upgrade as well.
Not going to see alotof difference towing wise in the wheel base, imo.
Movingto a 3/4ton truck will provide a much stiffer, better suited for towing, ride, at the expense of power unless you opt for the diesel. 6.0 is pretty much identical to the current 5.3s for power. 4.10s will help a little, but the 6.2 will still put the 6.0 HD or 5.3 in second place from a power standpoint.
If you say you can notice the payload differences between 2/4wd or base vs Denali trim, you’re “looking” very hard to find that difference real world.
Pick your favorite color, all your options will work great.

[bogeygolfer]

It sounds like you're partial to the GM models - but, you may want to consider a Ford with the 3.5 Ecoboost (either an Expedition or F150). The 3.5 is a great towing motor, in my experience using both an Expedition EL and crew cab F150. I was surprised at how well they towed, in fact.

[Mickeyfan0805]

troubledwaters wrote:
What is the "Payload" of the 3 vehicles? And not what the brochure says, but what it actually says on the real life door sticker. "Weight of cargo and passengers should not exceed _______"?
Secondly, what does everything else you load into the Tow Vehicle weigh (you, your wife, kids, dog, snacks, luggage, firewood, tools, whatever)?

This is the primary question in the 1/2 ton 3/4 ton question. All of the listed weights are estimates and revolve around tow capacity. Given what you have shared, however, I would be surprised if you aren't at or over your GVWR on your current set-up. If you are happy with your current set-up, you'd likely be happy with a new 1/2 ton SUV. My guess, however, is that you'd be overloading it and would find a much more secure drive in a vehicle made to carry that weight. We need the SUV due to 3 kids and a dog, and we have a 35' trailer - so we baby our 2006 Suburban 2500 as we know it is irreplaceable. Once the kids are not camping with us, we will shift to a pick-up, but we'd never move to a 1/2 ton SUV.

[troubledwaters]

What is the "Payload" of the 3 vehicles? And not what the brochure says, but what it actually says on the real life door sticker. "Weight of cargo and passengers should not exceed _______"?
Secondly, what does everything else you load into the Tow Vehicle weigh (you, your wife, kids, dog, snacks, luggage, firewood, tools, whatever)?

[hawkeye-08]

We towed our 26' 7,000lb trailer with our 2008 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2/6sp. It was capable, but was at the tongue weight limit. We packed carefully but still were near the limits. Towed great (my opinion at that time), except in windy weather where it was at times where the experience was less than desirable.

We traded the XL Denali in on 2011 2500HD crew cab. Night and day difference, towing experience was greatly improved.

Some of the things working against you on on the SUVs,
soft suspension (luxury ride)
P metric tires
tongue weight limits
hitch flex (hitch is part of bumper crush zone and has some flex)
near payload limit when loaded

Advantages of 2500 truck
LT load range E tires (yes you can put them on SUV, but the ride quality will suffer)
higher payload
stronger hitch

At the end of the day, it is your choice, but we went with the truck. Now understand that we ended up with two vehicles, truck for pulling trailer and hauling things, SUV for wife. We don't put alot of miles on the truck (on purpose). We started with a GMC Terrain for wife's car, but did not like it as much as we had hoped, replaced it with Tahoe.

Once we got the truck, we also started looking for a slightly bigger trailer with slide (which we found). The XL Denali would not handle the current trailer (bigger, heavier, etc) where the truck handles it fine.

[bradmarco]

Thank you all for your feedback!

[Vintage465]

I get the whole thing about towing with a nice long SUV. I towed for many years with 3 different suburbans. 2 of them 1/2 ton and one was a 3/4 ton. All were obviously long wheel base compared to a Tahoe or Yukon. All towed well. The best one as far as power and "towmanship" was the last one that was a 1999 1/2 ton 4x4 suburban with a 5.7 and a tow package. But the 3/4 ton Suburban I had really did go down the road like it was on rails. But with a 33ft. trailer, I'd have a 3/4 ton pickup no way around it. I'm thinking if your wallet can tough out a new suburban, it could tough out a 3/4 ton Crew Cab 4x4 diesel pickup. You'd experience a new realm of tow ease with the power. The tow power at half the throttle of a gas rig is unreal.

[Durb]

Longer wheelbase usually equates to a more stable tow, how much is subjective. A crew cab 2500 with a canopy is just about the same as an XL unless you need 3rd row seating or if you like to converse with your cargo (as in dogs or other pets). They can be made to be pretty comfortable.

[parker_rowe]

Wheelbase will help a bit with stability. But as you saw the tow rating is lower since the truck weights more.

If you are happy with how your current Tahoe handles the trailer, either should be an improvement with the 10speed and 6.2l. Just make sure you get the tow package for the cooling improvements.

[bradmarco]

fx2tom, manual reports hitch weight of 800lbs and using the Husky Center Line weight distribution w/sway control

[fx2tom]

A 2500HD truck will, without a doubt, tow better. What is the tongue weight of your trailer once loaded? The dry weight doesn't mean a whole lot.

[bradmarco]

Apologize, TT weight incorrect above, dry weight is 5420 and GVWR is 7640