Opinions on Towing with Yukon

[YukonBill]

I have 2001 Yukon SLT 5.3 4WD with Autoride suspension. Im looking to tow a 20Ft enclosed car trailer that when loaded will weight around 6500 lbs. Can this Yukon handle that much wight? Im also looking for recommendation on extendable mirrors since the trailer will be 102" wide.

 

[dropmech]

I towed about 6000lbs across the country with my 4.8, base, 2wd. I'm sure yours can handle it. You can get mirror extenion at u-haul, off the top of my head.

 

[04whitetahoe]

Tow package? Trailer brakes!

My Tahoe 1500 with tow package (3.73 gears, transmission cooler and load distributing hitch) is rated at 7700 Lbs, so if your rig is rated the same, you're within the tow limits, though closing in on the max.

If yours is a K-1500 4WD (from my 2004 owners' manual) if you have the 5300 V8 3.73 gears your capacity is 7,500 lbs. (3 401 kg), if you have the 4.10 gears it's 7,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)

Check your owners' manual for your truck specifics.

I would also suggest you get trailer brakes (electric controller in your truck) on something that heavy (if you haven't thought of that already) .

Joe

 

[YukonBill]

This Yukon came with the tow package so it has the big hitch. As I recall it dose have 3.73 gears. Some of those mirror extensions look out of place. I was looking for more of a permanent replacement type mirrors.

 

[scoobyxj]

IIRC the tow style mirrors of a HD truck of the same era work, but if your mirrors are the ones with all the bells and whistles be prepared to shell out a few arms and legs if you want the two mirrors to have all that too. They are NOT cheap!!!! Also I believe the truck tow mirrors don't have the auto dim option either.

 

[YukonBill]

They at least need to be remote adjustable and be heated. Mine do not have the turn signals in the mirrors

 

[z0lt3c]

You might want to consider getting side view cameras instead of new mirrors. You can add 2 cameras and a dash mount type screen for under $100.

 

[Big Buttons]

Get a bigger tranny cooler. These things will get hot without a load lol. Trucool 40K is awesome they have smaller ones too.

 

[kalahanmario]

Other than a decreased average it should be fine.

 

[YukonXL04]

I towed a 24ft enclosed overall weight was around 5k and it sucks... I wouldn't recommend doing it very often... it's not just the weight but also the additional wind drag being 3-4ft taller, it sucks. I will pull at 5000lb boat all day before I tow that car hauler again... you pretty much just stay in 3rd gear the whole time

 

[Dave01]

The weight is well within range, not sure how tall the trailer is but the enclosure will create quite a bit of wind resistance, so at highway speeds you'll definitely be feeling it between the weight and wind. Make sure the trailer brakes are working well. Also, you can affect tongue weight quite a bit by how far forward you load the car on the trailer, you want at least 400 lbs. of tongue weight, a bit more might pull better.

Hope this helps! Not sure about mirrors.

 

[Wake]

This Yukon came with the tow package so it has the big hitch. As I recall it dose have 3.73 gears. Some of those mirror extensions look out of place. I was looking for more of a permanent replacement type mirrors.

Look at eBay and Amazon for permanent replacement mirrors. I've seen quite a few that look similar to the stock mirrors but pushed out for towing. From what I remember, if you spend a few bucks more you can get the power/heated mirrors.

I'm thinking about these things as I plan on getting around a 25' travel trailer in the future so trailer brake controller is also a must.

One thing I'm curious about. My Escalade has a tow/haul mode for the transmission. Do the Tahoes/Yukons also have this mode? It holds gears longer, delays the upshifts quite a bit as well as dropping down the gears with much less throttle.

 

[YukonXL04]

Yea my Yukon has it as well. But you have the 6.0 and that's definitely better for towing

 

[YukonBill]

Thanks for all the great information. I did not think about the wind resistance. Most likely I will not be traveling over 55 as that is the max towing speed limit here in california.

 

[dropmech]

Yet another reason why California needs to just hurry up and drop off into the Pacific.

 

[JochenWoern]

Yet another reason why California needs to just hurry up and drop off into the Pacific.

Ha, Ha, ............ I could not agree with you more on that. ;-)

 

[Goodinblack]

Yet another reason why California needs to just hurry up and drop off into the Pacific.

LOL

They are so amuck with stupid laws its not funny

 

[JochenWoern]

lol

they are so amuck with stupid laws its not funny

^ x1

 

[02tahoeindiana]

As everyones said your truck will tow just fine just get the wallet ready for fuel. I pull a rig the same weight but its pretty tall its a wakeboard boat. I get 12-14mpg will be taking it cross country this spring. Two inexpensive mods that make trailering with these trucks susbstamtially better are airbags for the back and towing mirros. Mirrors depend on budget but i will post the links to the bags and the mirrors I use. Both work excellent the bags have made towing much better I personally wouldnt tow high weight with these trucks wotjout them, our trucks sag and sway stock.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CFO0GI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1389011966&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001AJMOLS/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1389012224&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

 

[YukonBill]

How difficult is it to install the air bags on the rear? This Yukon has autoride suspension.