jlrosine wrote:
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 Denali
158k miles (transmission and axles serviced every 30k miles since new).
6.0L vortec w/electric fans (335hp/375lb/ft torque)
Towing Capacity: 7,900 lbs
Trailer I'm considering:
Coleman 30' 7" trailer
5,820 lbs
I'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.
I've had that exact same vehicle in the past. LOVED it by the way. I had a young family of 5, plus a dog pulling a 25' Fleetwood Mallard. The Mallard wasn't all that heavy and the Denali pulled it effortlessly, even up over a 12,000 foot pass in CO. Of course it slowed down, but I expect that.
Now, in the last year as the family has gotten older and bigger (still just 5 of us), we also traded campers for a 2004 KS Frontier. The GVWR on the Frontier is 7,000lbs. I figure with the 5 of us packed for a week in there, we're probably pretty close to that number. I always guesstimated that the Denali had about 1600lbs of payload. My family was weighing in at about 600 or so, probably more with our "stuff" in the car for a trip. Add in 100lbs for hitch, and 800lbs (estimated) for tongue weight on the camper, and I was RIGHT at the limit of the Denali. Pulling, it was fine still. I was more worried about the tires, brakes, and the expensive rear air suspension that was always running, trying to keep the Denali perfectly level with the new camper.
Result..... I now drive a 2008 3/4 ton Suburban. 6.0 (355hp) and 6 speed. I DO NOT like this suburban as much as the Denali for everyday driving (Denali trim vs LS trim), but this thing is STOUT when pulling the camper. I just feel better that I now have over 2,000lbs of payload capacity which means I have room to spare when the kids all start turning into big teenagers.
That's my story. Note, the Frontier is not as big as what you're looking at. I would not hesitate for a second to go bigger with my current 3/4 ton. And as I just said, I felt the Frontier was too much for the 2005 Denali....
