Towing Roo 233s with Yukon xl? Feedback?

[tlemon]

We are considering a Roo 233 S but have reservations on successfully towing with our Yukon XL. Would love to hear from Roo owners that might be towing with a similar SUV and how it handles?

[bikendan]

mikeinaz wrote:
Check out the Starcraft 23' HTT, it has 3 popouts on it and is close to that Roo if I am not mistaken. Its got a 400# hitch and is about 4200#. It may fit the bill and be a little lighter than the Roo.

the OP is looking at the Roo 233S, which is equivalent to the Starcraft 239TBS, not the much smaller and no dinette slideout 187TB or the the no dinette slideout 229TB, which is the one i think you're referring to.
both the 233S and the 239TBS have the 3 bunk ends AND a U-dinette slideout.
and the 233S has a UVW of over 600lbs. LESS than the equivalent 239TBS. and it's 3' shorter.

[mikeinaz]

Check out the Starcraft 23' HTT, it has 3 popouts on it and is close to that Roo if I am not mistaken. Its got a 400# hitch and is about 4200#. It may fit the bill and be a little lighter than the Roo.

[real4u2c]

Partner, In no way I am I putting you down. I have the 2013 Roo233s. I was towing it with a 2002 Ford F150V6, half ton, and I was naïve in a way, even with my wdh, I was pushing My Family safety. The Roo is a wonderful camper at 4300lbs. But, I now tow with a 2010 Toyota Tundra 5.7l. Huge difference, Family safety #1, Simply put, you might consider buying a lighter weight hybrid, unless your able to fork out for a vehicle with the ump to tow with, again Family Safety.

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

Fixed Sight Training wrote:

I tow a 6500# hybrid toy hauler with an '03 Tahoe Z71 w/ 5.3. The GCVW is close to the 13,000# limit but it tows just fine thru the Colorado rockies. I do have to downshift and hold it in second gear at 3500 rpms or so going up hill. BTW I average about 9.8 mpg.


how many kids? They have 6!

2 kids and 2 labs. The point was the Tahoe has a similar power train and can handle the weight. My '03 owners manual shows the GCVW of the Yukon XL at 13,000 or 14,000 lbs. It should tow just fine.

The only other option is to move up to a 3/4 van or suburban or 1 ton van. How old are the kids? If they are big enough to add a bunch of weight they may be old enough to sleep in a tent.

[3LittleDucks]

Ooh, I thought it was 6 total, not 6 kids. Depending on what you like, you might want to go small trailer (for kitchen/bathroom facilities) and big tents for all/some to sleep in), unless you want to upgrade TV.

[PAThwacker]

Fixed Sight Training wrote:
I tow a 6500# hybrid toy hauler with an '03 Tahoe Z71 w/ 5.3. The GCVW is close to the 13,000# limit but it tows just fine thru the Colorado rockies. I do have to downshift and hold it in second gear at 3500 rpms or so going up hill. BTW I average about 9.8 mpg.

how many kids? They have 6!

[PAThwacker]

Family of 8! Fill every seat and 768 pounds of hitch. No way in a half ton anything!

[3LittleDucks]

Would you consider used? Trail Cruiser made a quad rear bunk model (C26BH) with a single flip out queen bed.. would be great for a family of 6!

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

I tow a 6500# hybrid toy hauler with an '03 Tahoe Z71 w/ 5.3. The GCVW is close to the 13,000# limit but it tows just fine thru the Colorado rockies. I do have to downshift and hold it in second gear at 3500 rpms or so going up hill. BTW I average about 9.8 mpg.

[Jayco25E]

kevden wrote:

1kennyOG wrote:
isn't a Yukon XL a "half ton" ?

Not all of them!;)

tlemon, you need to find out what the tow rating of your particular Yukon is. It varies depending on several things. Differential gear ratio is one major factor. A Yukon with a 3.42 diff will have a much lower tow rating than one with a 4.10 2wd or 4wd is another factor. You can find out what options (gear ratio is just one) your Yukon was built with through a vin# vehicle build sheet (parts dept at any chevy/gm dealer should be able to help), or look at the rpo code sticker (usually on the inside of the glove box) to find out what gear ratio of the differential is. You do not mention the year of your Yukon, but you can search the web for your particular year "gmc rpo codes" to find what gear ratio differential was installed in your truck at the factory. Gear ratio is also sometimes stamped onto a metal tag attached to the differential. Your owners manual shows tow ratings for each gear ratio, along with 2wd or 4wd.

If you find that the camper is within your Yukon's tow rating, a weight distributing hitch and sway control will be necessary. Also, search this forum and others for information on transmission coolers and rear suspension upgrades such as air bags or timbrens. They really help drivability when towing.

If its a 4x4 with tow package it should have a 3.72 or some had the 4.10 rear.

[HockeyTownMom]

I have a Suburban 1500 1/2 ton, 5 kids (12-4) and a 233s. I wish I had a 3/4 ton, but it is doable for us. I've learned how to pack lightly, esp if you plan on doing mountain traveling. My Suburban just hit 100,000 and I'd like it stop working so I can getting a 3/4. 😛

[kevden]

1kennyOG wrote:
isn't a Yukon XL a "half ton" ?

Not all of them!;)

tlemon, you need to find out what the tow rating of your particular Yukon is. It varies depending on several things. Differential gear ratio is one major factor. A Yukon with a 3.42 diff will have a much lower tow rating than one with a 4.10 2wd or 4wd is another factor. You can find out what options (gear ratio is just one) your Yukon was built with through a vin# vehicle build sheet (parts dept at any chevy/gm dealer should be able to help), or look at the rpo code sticker (usually on the inside of the glove box) to find out what gear ratio of the differential is. You do not mention the year of your Yukon, but you can search the web for your particular year "gmc rpo codes" to find what gear ratio differential was installed in your truck at the factory. Gear ratio is also sometimes stamped onto a metal tag attached to the differential. Your owners manual shows tow ratings for each gear ratio, along with 2wd or 4wd.

If you find that the camper is within your Yukon's tow rating, a weight distributing hitch and sway control will be necessary. Also, search this forum and others for information on transmission coolers and rear suspension upgrades such as air bags or timbrens. They really help drivability when towing.

[PAThwacker]

Payload is wiped clean with the eight passengers. Our k2500 sub, totally different animal: 8600GVW, 2900 payload, 4 bucket seats.
You will not be able to tow the 233s. It will easily weigh 6000lbs plus with all the extra gear you have. Family of 4=1000lbs Family of 8=2000ls of gear.

[tlemon]

Yes half ton,