RV Towing

[Jiffy Bumpit]

Greetings everyone. I am considering jumping into the RV world and that's the biggest reason I bought my 2021 Denali XL (6.2l). Does anyone here tow a large travel trailer with their Suburban/Yukon XL? Any suggestions/recommendations/warnings?

 

[Chad G 1979]

I dont haul campers, but you should look into having a weight distribution hitch set up dependent on your camper size.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Lots of folks in this Forum tow, and they will chime in.

 

[StephenPT]

Here's some other threads about towing on the '21+ platform.

Help on towing with a 2021 Tahoe

Hi, looking for some assistance on if we can tow a travel trailer we are looking to buy with a 2021 Tahoe. TT weights 5,850 dry weight and is 31 ft long. Loaded is about 6800 lbs I am a little confused on how all the different specs work to see if it’s able to be safely towed.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Towing 18' aluminum car trailer with diesel 3.0 23 Yukon

I'm looking at a 23 Yukon SLT with the 3.0 and max trailering package. I have a 18' aluminum car trailer that weighs in at 1.5k and I want to be able to load up a project car. Worst case I would hit 6.5K pounds. I have towed this same setup using my 2016 Colorado Diesel and a WDH with no...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Towing w/ Suburban RST 5.3

I figured I would post up with my experiences, as I didn’t find a lot of info from guys towing with the the base engine RST. My daily is a 2020 Ram 2500, and its my 6th Ram Cummins. I love diesels and the way they tow. We grabbed a Suburban 5.3 RST back in May and immediately began towing our...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

General consensus seems to be that the '21+ platform is a very capable towing rig - things to watch out for as you get near your towing limit is the rear end squat (not an issue if you get air suspension) and your payload capacity. You're likely to max out your payload before you max out your trailer GVWR. Payload is a combination of EVERYTHING pushing down on the rig - people, gear and most important - trailer tongue weight. Typical payload on these rigs is in the ~1,500lbs range so if you have a trailer pushing +700lb tongue weight, there's only ~800lbs left over for people and gear.

 

[topaq]

I have a Yukon Denali, no the XL, with the 6.2L and Max Towing package. I tow a 25 ft. trailer, about 6700 lbs loaded. That's about the limit for my vehicle. With the longer wheelbase your XL could probable handle a longer trailer (assuming WDH and antisway) and a little more weight. However, as mentioned, most SUVs and pickups reach their payload/cargo capacity limits before they reach their towing limits. And as I recall, the XL usually has a slightly lower towing capacity and payload capacity than the regular Denali.

Oh, and if you have P rated tires and are going to do much towing I would consider a higher rated tire. Not as nice of a ride in town but more stable on the highway. I changed to Continental Terrain Contact H/T that is close to an LT and can handle inflating it more.

 

[crankin]

Greetings everyone. I am considering jumping into the RV world and that's the biggest reason I bought my 2021 Denali XL (6.2l). Does anyone here tow a large travel trailer with their Suburban/Yukon XL? Any suggestions/recommendations/warnings?

Good day,
I have a 2022 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2, No max tow, No air ride just the magnetic suspension, towing a 32' Travel trailer weighing about 7200 lbs. Yukon is rated for 7800lbs. I use a Husky TS centerline weight distribution hitch. 1 inch sag in the back and 1/8 to 1/4 raise in the front. I inflated the rear tires to max pressure to try and take some sway out due to the independant suspension. overall it tows fine. On some real windy days can definitley feel it but at the end of the day you are towing a huge kite.

 

[Jiffy Bumpit]

Thanks for the quick response. Question. Does a weight distribution hitch lower the tongue weight, or since it shifts it to the front axle it still applies to your payload capacity?

 

[pa31p]

No. it just moves or distributes some weight to the front axle. your payload numbers won’t change.

 

[swathdiver]

No. it just moves or distributes some weight to the front axle. your payload numbers won’t change.

For every 10 pounds shifted to the steer axle, 5 pounds is transferred to the trailer's axle. If one trailer axle, 5 pounds, if 2, 2.5 pounds each in general terms.

 

[MrMike1289]

I have a ‘21 with the 3.0l and tow package. We pull a 24ft (28ft including tongue) weighing maybe 7k loaded. It pulls well but the wind kinda pulls you around. Biggest concern is the tongue weight. Wouldn’t be able to do it without a weight distributing hitch! Have to take it slow up hills.

 

[Jiffy Bumpit]

Good day,
I have a 2022 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2, No max tow, No air ride just the magnetic suspension, towing a 32' Travel trailer weighing about 7200 lbs. Yukon is rated for 7800lbs. I use a Husky TS centerline weight distribution hitch. 1 inch sag in the back and 1/8 to 1/4 raise in the front. I inflated the rear tires to max pressure to try and take some sway out due to the independant suspension. overall it tows fine. On some real windy days can definitley feel it but at the end of the day you are towing a huge kite.View attachment 395543

Thanks Crankin! Your trailer is similar (size and weight) in what I was considering. My Yukon does have the max trailering and air suspension, so your feedback is most helpful.

 

[Jiffy Bumpit]

I have a Yukon Denali, no the XL, with the 6.2L and Max Towing package. I tow a 25 ft. trailer, about 6700 lbs loaded. That's about the limit for my vehicle. With the longer wheelbase your XL could probable handle a longer trailer (assuming WDH and antisway) and a little more weight. However, as mentioned, most SUVs and pickups reach their payload/cargo capacity limits before they reach their towing limits. And as I recall, the XL usually has a slightly lower towing capacity and payload capacity than the regular Denali.

Oh, and if you have P rated tires and are going to do much towing I would consider a higher rated tire. Not as nice of a ride in town but more stable on the highway. I changed to Continental Terrain Contact H/T that is close to an LT and can handle inflating it more.

Great information topaq! Thanks!

 

[301Bobbo]

My wife wanted a bigger camper so we bought the '21 Tahoe 5.3 because the '19 Canyon diesel made my life miserable towing. Too much trailer push for that short wheel base. New camper is 25', 5100# loaded (Apex Nano), 680# on the tongue. With hardly anything in the SUV (payload), the Tahoe rear sag is nearly 2" and my WDH (Andersen Ultimate) only moves 1/2" of that to the steer axle. Sag still looks ugly towing. I found this recently and so am inquiring about your opinion if these Bilsteins could get me back to level. Naturally, they're out of stock. Thanks

 

[swathdiver]

My wife wanted a bigger camper so we bought the '21 Tahoe 5.3 because the '19 Canyon diesel made my life miserable towing. Too much trailer push for that short wheel base. New camper is 25', 5100# loaded (Apex Nano), 680# on the tongue. With hardly anything in the SUV (payload), the Tahoe rear sag is nearly 2" and my WDH (Andersen Ultimate) only moves 1/2" of that to the steer axle. Sag still looks ugly towing. I found this recently and so am inquiring about your opinion if these Bilsteins could get me back to level. Naturally, they're out of stock. Thanks

Gotta pic of the setup, the truck and trailer?

What kind of suspension out back does the Tahoe have? Hollow coil springs?

 

[Geotrash]

Greetings everyone. I am considering jumping into the RV world and that's the biggest reason I bought my 2021 Denali XL (6.2l). Does anyone here tow a large travel trailer with their Suburban/Yukon XL? Any suggestions/recommendations/warnings?

I tow a 7500 pound camper with a 2012 Yukon XL Denali, 6.2L. Plenty of motor for the job, and I have a 6 speed. Having a 10 speed like yours would be a dream. It’s an excellent towing platform. Although I have made considerable engine and cooling system mods, none of them are really necessary in hindsight.

 

[301Bobbo]

Gotta pic of the setup, the truck and trailer?

What kind of suspension out back does the Tahoe have? Hollow coil springs?

I'll get a pic up soon. The '21s and newer now have independent rear which precludes air bag or jounce lifts like on a live axle.

 

[pa31p]

Picked up the new Winnebago today!
Haven’t received the Anderson WDH yet but looks like i’ll need it.
In this pic about 440lbs on the tail. 3800LBS trailer weight.

The towing performance I find underwelming on the 5.3L

it’s probably programming related but is sits in 7 or 8th gear / 2500 RPM a LOT. does not use the torgue at all.
Likes to gear hunt.

Transmission steady at 155F

 

[Ed22lr]

Why do you need to take it slow up the hills. Can you not keep up with the speed limit at times ?

 

[StephenPT]

Picked up the new Winnebago today!
Haven’t received the Anderson WDH yet but looks like i’ll need it.
In this pic about 440lbs on the tail. 3800LBS trailer weight.

The towing performance I find underwelming on the 5.3L

it’s probably programming related but is sits in 7 or 8th gear / 2500 RPM a LOT. does not use the torgue at all.
Likes to gear hunt.

Transmission steady at 155F

Were you using tow/haul mode?

 

[E-Dizzle]

Picked up the new Winnebago today!
Haven’t received the Anderson WDH yet but looks like i’ll need it.
In this pic about 440lbs on the tail. 3800LBS trailer weight.

The towing performance I find underwelming on the 5.3L

it’s probably programming related but is sits in 7 or 8th gear / 2500 RPM a LOT. does not use the torgue at all.
Likes to gear hunt.

Transmission steady at 155F

I'm surprised at this. Your trailer weight is nearly identical to the boat I tow and I find the 5.3L more than adequate. As @StephenPT asked, were you in tow/haul mode?

Honestly, I think the 5.3L doesn't get enough love. It's a great engine in my opinion.