Grading Towing

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jamoody

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I have a 2017 Yukon SLE with 6400 lb towing capacity and tow a 19' camper with GVWR 3626 lb using a weight distribution hitch with integral anti sway (Equal-i-zer). I'll be taking this combination across the country (and back) including through the Rockies from Yellowstone to Flagstaff to Santa Fe. The rig tows fine on the (reasonably) flat east coast I81/I84 corridors (I've towed this rig about 8K miles in this area) but I don't know how it will do on the regular 6%-7% grades (some reported as long as 10 miles) I'll encounter on I15/I78/US89. Anybody have any thoughts?

In addition to tow/haul mode and downshifting on decent is there any advantage/disadvantage to using 4WD vs 2WD? I figure to stay mostly on interstates (Ixx) and US highways (USxx) which are presumably built with trucks in mind. Any other advice?
 

dbbd1

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You may want to look at replacing your factory trans cooler. Think about a Tru-cool 40K.
 
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jamoody

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I called the dealer today and they too suggested adding an aftermarket transmission cooler for steep grade towing. However 40K GVW for the Tru-Cool 40K seems a bit excessive given the combined GVWR of SUV and trailer is 13K.

Anybody have any additional transmission cooler recommendations for 2017 Yukon towing max 6K lbs trailer through the Rockies?
 
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jamoody

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Also, do I need a transmission cooler with thermal bypass? I live in mid-NY where we regularly get to 20F in the winter and 2-3 days a year to 0F, but very rarely (like every 5 years) have a night below that.
 

dbbd1

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Your trans already has a built-in thermal bypass.

Trust me on the 40K.

I would put it IN PLACE OF instead of IN ADDITION TO your trans.
 

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