Need advice before I pick up my TT It's a 750 tow

[saboken]

Hi I have a lot of experience towing cars with medium duty trucks but I am just about to hopefully go full time in a 2005 Gulf stream Conquest 30bhs my tow vehicle is a 2001 GMC YUKON XL slt it has the factory tow package with the factory Trans cooler and I will be using a prodigy P2 brake controller, I have a 10000lb Weight distribution system with anti sway,I used it for my former setup a 92 jeep Cherokee 4.0 and a 84 Sunline 21ft TT. MY QUESTION is now that I am upgrading is my setup safe? The Yukon says it can tow 8600 without a WD, the gulfstream weights 6622lb empty, in the math I did I have a 2392 limit I can put into the TT without going over the abilities of the Yukon, I don't plan on going over that even with the WD, I have been reading horror stories about TT's my size being towed by 1500 series trucks am I ok with this setup? I eventually want to travel from the east coast to the west coast, my main concern right now is the tow from central NJ to NW South Carolina, I have a little time I will pick it up Jan 3 2016 weather permitting. Any advice will help. Like I said towing was my life but this is my first SUV my work trucks were all F450s,F550s, INTERNATIONALS, Etc with either dedicated Jerr-Dan lifts or flat bed rollback with tow stingers, my Yukon factory hitch seems to be on the light side (the tube is thin and only attached by a few bolts) it's in good shape it just looks light to be rated up to 12000lbs! Thanks for any help I feel like a newb asking but better safe than sorry.

I added a few links to photos of the Yukon and weight stickers
and a few shots of the condition of the Yukon underside She has 270000 miles on her but runs and handles like new I doubt its the original engine and trans She is just to clean
She also has Nivomat self leveling shocks on the rear that seem to work perfect no sag or bounce when I load stuff in the back she is level in a mile or 2 I know I am not looking to replace them since they cost $300-$600 each depending on who is selling them. but its nice not to have a compressor.

Hitch Max Trailer Weight Max Tongue Weight
Weight Carrying 5000lb 600lb
Weight Dist 12000lb 1500lb

GVWR (7200LB)
GAWR FRT (3600LB)
GAWR RR (4000LB)

[saboken]

jmaotto wrote:
My son in law has the same suburban that you have. His TT is about the same size as the one you want to tow. He has towed from the Dallas area to Gulf Shores, Alabama without a problem. When towing select 3rd gear to keep it out of overdrive. He also has over 200,000 miles.
We had the same issue with changing the transmission fluid and filter. We were able to drop the pan far enough to change the filter also.

Yea I was trying to be optimistic about using my Yukon but with everything thing in the line if something goes wrong I'm I'll be in a really bad situation that could be very difficult to get out of, "Murphy" hasn't been my Friend lately I think he through out his lawbook when. I purchased my House.

[jmaotto]

My son in law has the same suburban that you have. His TT is about the same size as the one you want to tow. He has towed from the Dallas area to Gulf Shores, Alabama without a problem. When towing select 3rd gear to keep it out of overdrive. He also has over 200,000 miles.
We had the same issue with changing the transmission fluid and filter. We were able to drop the pan far enough to change the filter also.

[saboken]

Anyone ever rent a Enterprise 3/4 ton pickup for towing? I just found the rent 3/4 and 1 ton pickups my question is if anyone has what is the additional charge for towing? They are closed till Monday and the website just says to call for information! At the listed rates it would only cost me about $190.00 for a 4 day rental unlimited mileage I just have to pay for gas or diesel, I could save the were and tear on my old yukon if this is a option, anyone know about the asterisk * (Towing is available on 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickup trucks at most locations. An additional towing charge may apply. Contact your local rental branch for more details.) They post on their website.

[saboken]

saboken wrote:
Wouldn't be great if Tow Vehicles were for rent like Uhauls? just for the purpose of transporting a TT or 5th wheel? I was going to use the Moving truck I rented to move from PA to SC but Uhaul only supports surge brakes and they don't have the connection for the Trailer Pigtail I rented a Penske trunk for my move it could have handled The TT i had at the time but it had twist connections for the trailers so I left the Jeep in storage with The TT and took a Bus back to retrieve the TT, If the Haul seems to much I guess I will have to store it up there somewhere until I have the $$ to pay uShip to bring it to me. I know I am playing Russian Roulette with my Yukon!

I just installed the Prodigy controller and the 30amp fuse was already installed in the Fuse block



so I guess one of the 2 previous owns was hauling something needing it? it might have a new trans and motor because someone paid a lot to install stuff I don't use like the Headrest DVD system (its not the cheep ones they sell today the Headrests have either monitors preinstalled I guess the originals were removed and replaced with the ones in there now ) I wanted to remove the whole system but I need to find new headrests to swap them out and they might be and to sell since they only fit certain GM Vehicles. I just had my wife sew up a cover for them so its not a target for theft. I am going to look into transport services now besides uShip to see what my alternatives are this TT is realy only needed as a home for now I just have to get it here keeping it the Yukon and myself in one piece

[saboken]

Wouldn't be great if Tow Vehicles were for rent like Uhauls? just for the purpose of transporting a TT or 5th wheel? I was going to use the Moving truck I rented to move from PA to SC but Uhaul only supports surge brakes and they dont have the connection for the Trailer Pigtail I rented a Penske trunk for my move it could have handled The TT i had at the time but it had twist connections for the trailers so I left the Jeep in storage with The TT and took a Bus back to retrieve the TT, If the Haul seems to much I guess I will have to store it up there somewhere until I have the $$ to pay uShip to bring it to me. I know I am playing Russian Roulette with my Yukon! I just installed the Prodigy controller and the 30amp fuse was already installed in the Fuse block so I guess one of the 2 previous owns was hauling something needing it? it might have a new trans and motor because someone paid a lot to install stuff I don't use like the Headrest DVD system (its not the cheep ones they sell today the Headrests have either monitors preinstalled I guess the originals were removed and replaced with the ones in there now ) I wanted to remove the whole system but I need to find new headrests to swap them out and they might be and to sell since they only fit certain GM Vehicles. I just had my wife sew up a cover for them so its not a target for theft. I am going to look into transport services now besides uShip to see what my alternatives are this TT is realy only needed as a home for now I just have to get it here keeping it the Yukon and myself in one piece

[saboken]

saboken wrote:

burningman wrote:
I used to drive tow trucks too.
If I had that deal going and only a 1/2 ton rig I'd use it to go get it for sure.
As for doing any extensive traveling with it, it's a bad plan. Too much trailer and not enough truck.
It will tow it, but 1/2 tons lack the heavy duty drivetrain parts to survive tugging heavy weight up mountains and such. Your transmission is going to be badly overworked.
At bare minimum I'd install a trans temperature gauge and avoid cooking it.
I'm betting you don't have 4.10 gears. You'll want to shift down on the hills and rev it, and don't floor it.
If the trailer weight you posted is the manufacturer's claim - not an actual scale reading - add at least 1000 pounds to that number to get closer to reality.

I'm going to try to find a scale when I pick it up to see were I am really at with the weight my biggest concern is getting it out of NJ I grew up there and have hated the traffic I plan in avoiding any peak time I want to haul it towards Harrisburg to 81 then South to avoid DC but that route might be easier on the traffic but will have a lot more inclines to deal with, I guess I will have to drive 95 up to get it and see what I am going to have to deal with before deciding inwhat route to take.i haven't travelled that part of I95 since 2002

The trans temp is my biggest concern I know the 2500's have them build in I was always wondering if I put a instrument cluster in from a 2500 if it would work? (Does it have the sensor in the trans? Do I need to have the computer flashed to activate the gauge?) I think it has a temp warning in the info center but I would rather see it rising before to respond way before it triggers a light (TRANS TEMP) I believe that's what the owners manual says the message is? but it doesn't say what temp triggers it? Doing this in the winter should be on my side since it has the HD tow package with a external trans cooler and oil cooler I hope, I put a external trans cooler on our old Jeep Cherokee before towing a 21' 1984 Sunlime TT I towed that thing all over PA and then to SC before selling it about 1 1/2 years ago the only issue the Jeep had was engine temp i think the water pump had worn a impeller? I don't remember why I never changed it? But i saw someone driving that old Jeep almost 1 1/2 years after I sold it and it's still going strong with the same transmission. In the end I will either try to trade for a F450 diesel or trade for a Smaller Ultra Light TT maybe a Class A? It's still up in the air, I just have to get this thing home so I can move into it to save for whatever is next, I try not to make plans with a narrow focus because opportunitys change.

[saboken]

burningman wrote:
I used to drive tow trucks too.
If I had that deal going and only a 1/2 ton rig I'd use it to go get it for sure.
As for doing any extensive traveling with it, it's a bad plan. Too much trailer and not enough truck.
It will tow it, but 1/2 tons lack the heavy duty drivetrain parts to survive tugging heavy weight up mountains and such. Your transmission is going to be badly overworked.
At bare minimum I'd install a trans temperature gauge and avoid cooking it.
I'm betting you don't have 4.10 gears. You'll want to shift down on the hills and rev it, and don't floor it.
If the trailer weight you posted is the manufacturer's claim - not an actual scale reading - add at least 1000 pounds to that number to get closer to reality.

I'm going to try to find a scale when I pick it up to see were I am really at with the weight my biggest concern is getting it out of NJ I grew up there and have hated the traffic I plan in avoiding any peak time I want to haul it towards Harrisburg to 81 then South to avoid DC but that route might be easier on the traffic but will have a lot more inclines to deal with, I guess I will have to drive 95 up to get it and see what I am going to have to deal with before deciding what route to take.i haven't travelled that part of I95 since 2002

[burningman]

I used to drive tow trucks too.
If I had that deal going and only a 1/2 ton rig I'd use it to go get it for sure.
As for doing any extensive traveling with it, it's a bad plan. Too much trailer and not enough truck.
It will tow it, but 1/2 tons lack the heavy duty drivetrain parts to survive tugging heavy weight up mountains and such. Your transmission is going to be badly overworked.
At bare minimum I'd install a trans temperature gauge and avoid cooking it.
I'm betting you don't have 4.10 gears. You'll want to shift down on the hills and rev it, and don't floor it.
If the trailer weight you posted is the manufacturer's claim - not an actual scale reading - add at least 1000 pounds to that number to get closer to reality.

[justafordguy]

I good buddy of mine just had the noisy lifter issue on his 5.3, his has 237k on it and the lifter issue got worse over the last year. A few weeks back he noticed that the oil pressure was lower than it should be also. He replaced the crank mounted oil pump with some improved (maybe Corvette) type and the oil pressure is back to normal and the lifter noise is completely gone. It sounds like a new truck again. He said it was a pain to change but well worth the trouble.

[LIKE2BUILD]

saboken wrote:
5.3 has a light tap when cold I read they tend to have a piston slap....what I am hearing is a week lifter, because when I change the oil (I only use either Mobile 1 or Lucas 5/30) the tap is gone for the first few days after that when it's cold I hear it for about 10-30 seconds an it's gone.

If the noise decreases once it's warm I'm not sure it's a huge problem. It might be the lifter has some sludge causing reduced oil flow or sticking when cold. Maybe a treatment of Seafoam in the crankcase oil will eliminate those deposits and improve flow?

[Grit_dog]

mkirsch wrote:
I'd be a little concerned at taking a truck with almost 300,000 miles on it and expecting it to work at its maximum rated capacity, no matter how reliable it's been or how well it has been maintained.

That said, assuming all goes well you probably won't think it's too bad on the trip home with the EMPTY trailer. After you add 1500lbs of water, food, tools, toys, equipment, etc., you might not like it as well.

I'd be more than concerned. Unless it was financially not possible to upgrade in truck class and age/miles, I wouldn't like the impending repairs from working a 15 year old 300k mile vehicle to death.

That said, I had a 90 GMC Z71 back in the mid 90s in college. I worked the p!ss out of that truck from time to time, sold it with 160k.
Saw it a few years later with a GN hitch towing a big slant load horse trailer. Had 260k and the guy said it was still on original drivetrain. Was a 5 speed thou.

[saboken]

It seems there are very knowledgeable people here that know about my TV my 5.3 has a light tap when cold I read they tend to have a piston slap that is harmless but I think what I am hearing is a week lifter, because when I change the oil (I only use either Mobile 1 or Lucas 5/30) the tap is gone for the first few days after that when it's cold I hear it for about 10-30 seconds an it's gone. I also read it could be a O ring in the crankshaft mounted oil pump! Do you think this is something I should deal with asap? And were would you start? The O Ring or rip the heads off to replace the lifters? That's the only thing I hate about the engine design that the heads have to come off to service the lifters. Thanks for All the advice so far. 🙂

[mkirsch]

I'd be a little concerned at taking a truck with almost 300,000 miles on it and expecting it to work at its maximum rated capacity, no matter how reliable it's been or how well it has been maintained.

That said, assuming all goes well you probably won't think it's too bad on the trip home with the EMPTY trailer. After you add 1500lbs of water, food, tools, toys, equipment, etc., you might not like it as well.

[saboken]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

saboken wrote:
It also has the 7way already factory installed I'm hoping when I get the harness from Etrailer it will the prodigy P2 will work without any new wiring! It's supposed to plug and play? Not like the old Jeep I had to wire from. Scratch.

Yes, the brake wire is already in the OEM 7-way harness. With your Prodigy you'll need to order a GM specific pigtail. There is a terminal block on the firewall behind the parking brake lever. Remove the black plastic cover and you'll find an empty 4-pin receptacle where the Prodigy plugs in.

In your power distribution panel in the engine compartment you'll need to install a 30 amp fuse in either terminal 1 or 2.....I don't remember which. Look in your manual, but that is the circuit that will provide 12V power to the brake controller.

The Class IV receiver I linked to shouldn't require any drilling in the frame. There should already be factory weld nuts in the frame and you only remove the OEM receiver then bolt the new one in place.

Wheel hub assemblies and knock sensors are very common issues for these vehicles. Also, have you serviced the transmission? A new filter and fluid is a good idea before towing that heavy. DO NOT do a chemical power flush, just a refill after installing the filter is all that's needed.

On the transmission subject.....IT IS A ROYAL PAIN IN THE NECK TO REMOVE THE FILTER PAN. In GM's infinite wisdom they ran the exhaust crossover pipe right in the way and you can't get the pan off unless you remove the pipe. Also, the tranny pan comes with a drain plug and you can try to get it loose, but 90% of the time you'll strip the bolt head. These bolts seem to fuse to the pan and GM made the hex part of the head really shallow so when you try to torque it off your socket slips and strips it. I have a friend that is an excellent mechanic but had not tackled a GM 1500 transmission service. He told me another friend asked him to work on his '03 Chevy 1500 pickup. When I told him what it involved he laughed and told me there was no way it could be that hard. Well.....the next day he called me as he ate a huge plate of crow; the exhaust had to come down and the drain plug stripped.

KJ

I did the Trans about 3000 miles ago yes the pan was a pain but I managed to swap the filter just by dropping it as far as it would go it too a lot of shop towels to clean all the fluid so I could be sure everything was in place before bolting the pan back up my Yukon is so clean non of the bolts I had to remove took much effort like it just came off the assembly line. I don't know if it was restored because it has a little over 270000 miles on it even the hubs came off easy the right took a couple blows with a 2lb hammer but nothing like I would ave expected, the hitch.instructions say I have to drill for the rear bolts it has the longer reach I chose it because it grabs more of the frame closer to the wheels maybe I posted the wrong link etrailer only had 2 draw tights that fit my gmc