Lots of sway

[needdirection]

2021 Yukon Denali with tow package. 6.2 engine.
I read this morning on the thread about once sway we’re used no problem with swaying. I purchased this Denali in Oct and I don’t want to turn around and buy a truck. Camper 5,700 dry, 25 ft , compartment is up front with minimal weight. Used a Tahoe prior to pull with no problems unless over 70mpg. I use sway bars and had the hitch verified that it was at the right level by camper service department. They want to say it’s the Denali! That it’s a luxury vehicle and shouldn’t be used to trailer. To reduce sway do I need to add more weight up front? Our 7,500 horse trailer doesn’t sway and doesn’t have sway bars used. Hope this make sense. First time in a forum.

 

[jforb]

Have you measured the tongue weight? That's the first place to start.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Yes, try more weight up front.

Plus, use a sway control. It is a friction device that aids in sway control.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[15burban]

What type of a weight distribution system are you using? What is the gross weight of the camper? Dry weight doesn't mean much since usually that doesn't include items like propane tanks, battery, awning, little stuff that all adds up. Same with "listed" tongue weight.

Getting actual weights of your yukon with and without the camper hooked up is hands down the best way to verify your weight distribution hitch is setup right. From that you can figure out your tongue weight which should be somewhere in the ball park of 10-15% of the campers weight.

You will also want to "restore" the weight taken off the front axle using the weight distribution system.

 

[needdirection]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

Thank you. Apparently I mis-spoke I have weight distribution bars not sway bar. I went by a trailer place and they want sell me sway kit since the Denali tries to level it self out. Thank you for. expertise.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'm not sure if this will help, since I don't tow anything significant. Perhaps, stiffer sway bars may be able to help, something like Hellwig sway bars.

Members of this Forum who tow will chime in on my suggestion.

 

[needdirection]

What type of a weight distribution system are you using? What is the gross weight of the camper? Dry weight doesn't mean much since usually that doesn't include items like propane tanks, battery, awning, little stuff that all adds up. Same with "listed" tongue weight.

Getting actual weights of your yukon with and without the camper hooked up is hands down the best way to verify your weight distribution hitch is setup right. From that you can figure out your tongue weight which should be somewhere in the ball park of 10-15% of the campers weight.

You will also want to "restore" the weight taken off the front axle using the weight distribution system.

ok I’ll take it to a weigh station

 

[15burban]

If you don't have sway bars I'd definitely recommend getting some. Depending on how much that place wanted just for the sway bars it might be cheaper just to get a whole new weight distribution system (weight distribution with sway bars). A good place to look online is etrailer.com they usually have really good prices and excellent customer service.

 

[needdirection]

So this is the 2021 Yukon with trailer. I am taking it to a trailer place today for the to add “sway” bar. He was saying the distribution bars don’t work because of the independent suspension will continue move up and down trying to level.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

View attachment 418593
So this is the 2021 Yukon with trailer. I am taking it to a trailer place today for the to add “sway” bar. He was saying the distribution bars don’t work because of the independent suspension will continue move up and down trying to level.

Very interesting. I had not thought about the impact of the independent rear suspension.

 

[15burban]

Let us know how it goes. Nice camper! It could just be the angle of the picture but it looks like the camper is nose high. If the front is higher then the rear on level ground that will also cause excess sway. You want the front of the camper slightly lower then the rear.

 

[15burban]

Very interesting. I had not thought about the impact of the independent rear suspension.

Unless they make a stand alone sway control system he will need a weight distribution system. Not sure on the exact specs of these trucks (should say in your owners manual) but usually anything over 500lbs tongue weight you want a weight distribution system otherwise your steering is going to be really light (weight won't be transferred back to the front of the vehicle). I've seen plenty of suvs pulling campers with wd systems and most of them have independent rear suspension. So I'm not buying that the weight distribution bars won't work.

 

[tagexpcom]

I recently bought a 2021 Yukon Denali and I trailer a 7 x 14, 5,300lb trailer with 650lb tongue weight. Here's the thread.....

First Towing Experience 2021 Yukon Denali - 5300lb trailer, with and without stablizer

Thought I'd share our first experience towing our 5300lb 7 x 14 dual axle trailer -> camper on a 400 mile round trip over 5800ft mountain and back. We have a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali 6.2L with middle package 22" wheels but no air suspension. Installed a Curt brake controller. Starting with...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Using Weight Distribution Hitch - it's been rock solid up to 65mph on freeway. Occasional 70mph passing - no issues.

My experience is the Denali is fine! (Really enjoying it) so it must be you're trailer. In my case, I DIY'ed a cargo trailer and even though the tonque weight is OK and overall weight is well within Yukon specs - I built the trailer with heavy loads on front (kitchen) and rear (garage) and the center is 'light' - which promotes sway!

I'd look to you're trailer loading, tongue weight, and weight distribution hitch for the issue as I'm evidence that a 2021 Yukon can tow very well.

 

[needdirection]

In the previous pic with Yukon, I wasn’t on even ground. Here’s the sway bar. the trailer guy said I could put bars on too he doesn’t think it will help.
I really appreciate all the wisdom! Not giving up yet. No offense to truck owners, my preference is an SUV.

He rode with me to see how it feels. Still some sway. He’s saying the side walls in the tires are too soft! When I left with sway bar (I may ask for my $back.) I was so mad. I have a hard time accepting that this vehicle won’t work. I am not ready to buy a truck but I have been too it’s all about the independent suspension. I appreciate the replies. I will not give up hope.

 

[needdirection]

Unless they make a stand alone sway control system he will need a weight distribution system. Not sure on the exact specs of these trucks (should say in your owners manual) but usually anything over 500lbs tongue weight you want a weight distribution system otherwise your steering is going to be really light (weight won't be transferred back to the front of the vehicle). I've seen plenty of suvs pulling campers with wd systems and most of them have independent rear suspension. So I'm not buying that the weight distribution bars won't work.

The new hitch for the sway bar has the option of putting the distribution bars on too.

 

[15burban]

I would try a different place, small town rv places I've found are a lot better then the bigger ones. Just like car dealerships. There's good ones and there's bad ones. Usually more bad ones lol.

At 5700lb dry weight with 12% tongue weight thats roughly 700lbs added on just the rear axle. So without the wd bars on thats somewhat a lot of weight on just the rear tires depending on what tires you have and will add to sway/squirminess if that's a word lol of the rear end of your vehicle itself. If I had to guess since they always under estimate camper weights I would guess without being loaded for a trip your tongue weight is probably closer to 900lbs. Also when towing you will want to make sure your tires are aired up more then regular day driving. I would put the bars back on and check tire pressures on all the tires, your campers too and take if for a spin. The best is to get it weighed.

 

[15burban]

Maybe I missed it but what camper do you have a forest river 250fks? If so the specs on it are 775lb tongue weight. So you're easily over 900lbs once you figure in battery, propane tanks etc. Without the wd bars on you will be wearing out rear suspension parts a lot faster.

 

[tagexpcom]

The new hitch for the sway bar has the option of putting the distribution bars on too.

I would *definitely* go with weight distribution. Without it, my 650lb tonque weight brought the rear down (I think 2") - you can measure but it also caused my front to pop-up 1". It puts all the tongue weight directly on the rear and the front popus up leading to less sure steering. I don't believe it's the 'sway bars' that helped me so much as the weight distribution aspect!. Do both.

Weight distribution will push that weight forward and help keep the rear up higher and front down lower on the road - makes HUGE difference.

There are several WDH (weight distribution hitch) youtubes / explanations that might help you. I didn't go 'the cheapest' but lower on the recommended scale with a Blue Ox Trac Pro - https://www.blueox.com/trackpro-weight-distributing-hitch/ because this type let's me backup as well. (Some of the cheaper ones dont' support backing up)

This Blue Ox Trac Pro absolutely stabilized my towing of 5300lb trailer and they make even better ones if you're willing to spend more $

And to reiterate - the vehicle is not the issue in my opinion. A truck wouldn't do any better.

 

[needdirection]

The new hitch for the sway bar has the option of putting the distribution bars on too.

thank you!