Hi all, I'm looking for anyone that has had experience with my vehicle or just has a good general opinion of whether or not I should consider buying a camper that weights 5,820lbs dry. My Vehicle: 2005 GMC Yukon XL Denali158k miles (transmission and axles serviced every 30k miles since new). 6.0L vortec w/electric fans (335hp/375lb/ft torque)Towing Capacity: 7,900 lbsTrailer I'm considering:Coleman 30' 7" trailer5,820 lbsI'm trying to avoid a situation where I have to bump up to a 3/4 ton for various reasons. The first reason and biggest reason is that I have a family of 6, finding a 3/4 ton vehicle like the Yukon I already have is difficult to find and really doesn't offer much over what I have if I add anti sway bars and hitch equalizer. It seems like most of the 3/4 ton burbs are older anyway, and have tons of miles. I considered "upgrading" to the Expedition EL Ecoboost, but it's still just a 1/2 ton frame I believe. It would offer better power but marginally increase the safety otherwise. I could also potentially get an F150 ecoboost or something similar (3/4 ton), but finding a bench in the front to seat 6 is proving difficult, and expensive. Am I nuts to try to tow a trailer of that size with the Yukon I have? Dealers all tell me it'll be fine, but research and some experience towing tell me I should be careful. I'm a very careful/slow driver, and if I did tow with the vehicle I have I can't imagine going much over 55 or 60mph with that large of a trailer in tow. Any suggestions/thoughts appreciated.

What is payload of your Yukon? Weight of all passengers minus 150 pounds for you? Tongue weight of TT fully loaded? Weight of all stuff you plan to carry in Yukon is? If using a WDH, it's weight is?

Is that 5280 lbs. the GVW? I have an 05 mid-size GM suv rated to tow 6500, not sure I'd want to test that out though.

I see you are in Colorado, here in Michigan that set up would have plenty of power to tow that trailer, even if that is the empty weight. You are limited on payload. With a family of six and with 12-15% tongue weight you will exceed the rear axle weight rating and some of the other weight ratings. A 2010 or newer GM van with the 6L/6speed would tow even better than your Denali. Some people prefer the Ford vans but you probably would want to look for a V10.

Thanks all. I did calculations on a site that takes in to account the trailer tongue weight, my rear axle specs/weight, GVWR and about 8 other factors. I think with a 15% buffer it said I could safely tow a trailer that is 5600lbs. So if I'm being super cautious I may just want to find a smaller trailer if I don't want to change my vehicle (bummer). Thanks for all of the input.

Should I tow a 30' 7" 5820lb trailer with 2005 Yukon Denali XL?

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2017
GeoBoy wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
I always say to add 1500lbs to a trailers dry weight. this will get you close to its loaded ready to travel weight. that would put a 5800lb trailer at a loaded weight of 7300lbs with 12.5% tongue weight of approx. 960lbs (you will need to load the trailer properly to arrive at this number).

As far as towing at 55-60, that will not be practical. you will get run off the highway at those speeds. I`ve run at 70 on occasion and it still isn't fast enough for most people. the 6.0 can handle it. I would think you will be OK. if your willing to get a new Tow Vehicle then why not tow with it to see how it does. then you can decide if you want something different. and with as many people that will be in the trailer you do not want to go smaller!

Are you serious? Most trailer tires are rated at a maximum of 65 mph, I have been rv'ing since 2006, with TC's and TT's and 60 mph is my max speed. There are lanes for guys like you, they are called passing lanes!

My towing speed 90% of the time is 67mph! My ST tires are rated at 86mph. I have run at 73 before but that's not often. My X tows great at 67 and I'm comfortable at that speed. Especially going through the plains, 60 mph is like eternity going through a vast expanse of nothing!
GeoBoy
Explorer
Jun 25, 2017
dodge guy wrote:
I always say to add 1500lbs to a trailers dry weight. this will get you close to its loaded ready to travel weight. that would put a 5800lb trailer at a loaded weight of 7300lbs with 12.5% tongue weight of approx. 960lbs (you will need to load the trailer properly to arrive at this number).

As far as towing at 55-60, that will not be practical. you will get run off the highway at those speeds. I`ve run at 70 on occasion and it still isn't fast enough for most people. the 6.0 can handle it. I would think you will be OK. if your willing to get a new Tow Vehicle then why not tow with it to see how it does. then you can decide if you want something different. and with as many people that will be in the trailer you do not want to go smaller!

Are you serious? Most trailer tires are rated at a maximum of 65 mph, I have been rv'ing since 2006, with TC's and TT's and 60 mph is my max speed. There are lanes for guys like you, they are called passing lanes!
jlrosine
Explorer
Jun 25, 2017
Thanks again to everyone.

I ended up buying a slightly smaller camper. It's rated at 4770lbs but the tag on the camper says 5000lbs. I feel a little bit better about staying under my calculated limit of 5300lbs.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2017
"I run 55-60 with my rig and just stay in the right lane for the most part."

Me too, Camoer G. Set the cruise at 56 and enjoy the drive.
Camper_G
Explorer
Jun 24, 2017
I just wanted to comment on the highway speed mentioned. I also take my time and run 55-60 on the highway. Most ST rated trailer tires are speed rated to 65mph and exceeding that for any length of time will overheat the tires and they could fail. Lots of damage occurs when that happens.

I run 55-60 with my rig and just stay in the right lane for the most part. I've never had an issue running this way and neither did my dad. The faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the harder it is to stop all that weight.

Be safe. Good luck.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
To differentiate denali and run of the mill half tons they are limited to passenger shuttling or towing with no passengers. That's why 3/4 ton suburban and Excursions were built and are still on the roads today highly sought after.

6.0 Excursion Diesels are 25K Wholesale. That's $30k plus on ebay or dealer lots for a 10 year old plus dirty diesel with horrid history.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
I have a 6.0 3/4 ton suburban with max tow rating of 7600 pounds. The reason for the low tow rating is only the rear ratio. With a 4.10 ratios the 6.0 3/4 subs of that generation could tow 10,000 pounds. The 07 and up 3/4 subs have 1,000 pound hitch weight max, not replaceable, and are limited to max wet weights of 7000 pounds regardless gear ratios/transmissions.
wski
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
You can probably tow it, but you wont enjoy it. There is reason vehicles have limits.
jlrosine
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
Sorry I think my long link blew the page width out.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 23, 2017
What happened to the formatting on this page?

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Should I tow a 30' 7" 5820lb trailer with 2005 Yukon Denali XL?

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