03 Yukon SLT / Suggestions on performance please!!!!!

[Bryguy1822]

Hello - I just picked up a 2012 Keystone Passport Ultra light Travel Trailer. It's rated at about 4,800 lbs empty. I grabbed this one because it's light and the Yukon stats showed it could pull it without any issues. Yukon showed around 7,800 lbs towing capability.....give or take a few. Well, my 2003 Yukon SLT is a flipping turd. It struggled on a 2 hour trip mostly flat roads in IL. When there was any sort of incline it just plain out SUCKED!!! One thing to note is I did have my 22's on it...And I run 20's in the winter. Truck is lowered so 20 is the smallest size i will go. I know that impacts the towing, but the engine just seemed to be working A LOT harder. And it appears I burned oil because after several years of owning this Yukon, and keeping up with maintenance, I got the check oil light for the first time after my trip. I have brand new plugs and plan on swapping all fluids shortly....

Question: Do I drop $ into this thing for performance upgrades in order to pull this trailer or do i get rid of it? I really love this yukon, but need something powerful enough to tow my trailer and SAFE for my family.

Suggestions on types of programmers or upgrades I should do to get more pulling power. I'm not looking for speed....All I have on it is a Spectra Intake.

Thanks in advance.

---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 AM ----------

I should add that I am not looking to drop $6K into this Yukon...nothing like a supercharger or anything like that. It's a 2003 with 114k miles.

Diesels are sounding good right about now. lol

 

[mmeachem]

Idk but if you get a pickup I say a ram or silverado

 

[Big O]

how fast were you towing?

 

[big_b_in_PA]

Gears are going to be your biggest noticeable upgrade. Other than that programming, cai, exhaust, if you haven't done that already.

 

[mmeachem]

Gears are going to be your biggest noticeable upgrade. Other than that programming, cai, exhaust, if you haven't done that already.

What he said

 

[ezdaar]

read my post here http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33729

 

[chip]

1. Gears
2. Intake & Exhaust.
3. BB Tune.

 

[hoe]

4.10 - 4.30 gears.
Get the CEL off too.

 

[screamin86]

Idk about you but my 03 Yukon xl pulls great and does well on trips. I've got full bolt ons and tune and factory 3.73's a friend of mine has a 02 Yukon slt fully loaded stock with intake and he pulled his open car trailer with my Yukon xl on it when I blew up the gov loc and it pulled with no problem! Worst case swap in a 6.0.

 

[Bryguy1822]

Thanks all. I have a Spectra Intake and am going to toss on a Gibson Swept Side and add the BB Tune after that. Looking at a trans cooler as well.

@ Big O - 60-65 mph tops. Was up the slight inclines that were making my 5.3L work overtime.

 

[screamin86]

Which gears does yours have? I know some came with 3.42s but I think it's kinda rare most had 3.73s or 4.10s. These 5.3s have more upper end power though mine comes on strong aroun 2800rpm.

here is the pic of my buddy towing my yukon.

 

[hoe]

I tow anything with my Tahoe. I towed my 85 burban across the united states of America, on a uhaul tow dolly. Even pulled hills up to 100mph making passes. Granted I had a 6.0 and a 80e tranny in there. I have towed with the 5.3 and It will pull as well.

The OP has something terribly wrong with his truck, thats why I told him get the CEL off 1st.

You want performance then its many things you can do.

My 01 Tahoe has a:
6.0 Vortec Max engine LQ9 (LQ4 is in the 2500 trucks)
LPP longtube headers, with 3" ORY pipe
Airaid Cold Air Intake
4L80e Transmission Heavy Duty (2500 or 3500 trucks)
4000 RPM Torque Converter, 9.5" billet
4.88 gear ratio, trutrac limited slip
232/238 speced cam compared to a stock (196/198)
plans for a intercooled procharger, when all is said and done.

 

[screamin86]

whoops i didnt see about the ses light on. check the codes or see if you can hook up a scan tool that would be better that way you can see whats going on a little better.

 

[M3PO]

Big wheels will make a difference, try your 20s. I have the factory 20s on my Denali and I thought about trading someone with some of the smaller Denali wheels (I think they are 16s), but I have seen them so cheap, I think I will buy another set.

 

[hoe]

Big wheels will make a difference, try your 20s. I have the factory 20s on my Denali and I thought about trading someone with some of the smaller Denali wheels (I think they are 16s), but I have seen them so cheap, I think I will buy another set.

Forgot to add Im also 20 x 9 rim, with 305 50 20 tires. Which is actually a 32x12
This is why the right GEAR needs to match the right tires. With 20s, 3.73-4.10 is fine with under a 31" tire, some people will even recommend 4.30s. With 33"-35 4.56-4.88 gears.

Im running 32" tire with 4.88s, lots of leverage there, and tire burner. I am highly over-geared. Which comes with negative and positives. It comes down to how and what you use your truck for.

 

[big_b_in_PA]

Big wheels will make a difference, try your 20s. I have the factory 20s on my Denali and I thought about trading someone with some of the smaller Denali wheels (I think they are 16s), but I have seen them so cheap, I think I will buy another set.

I don't want to thread jack but, m3po if you were closer I'd take you up on trading wheels.

 

[UBILLN]

gearing is your main concern when towing a load, of course mileage is going to suffer when your not but unless you like changing gears in between tows, there's not much else you can do. An intake & exhaust might help a bit, but not enough to make a significant difference.

Oh and yeh if your running bigger wheels/tires than what it came with stock, then thats going to cause problems when towing too becuase you are messing with gear ratios.