Towing with '15 LTZ

[Spinzone]

So I joined this forum after searching long and ******* the towing performance of the '15 with magnetic ride control. Much to my dismay, I didn't find anything here or elsewhere on the web regarding towing impressions.

Today was the first day I was able to take out the boat and was able to test out how the new truck performed yanking the 6500lb+ rig down the road. I was nervous at first as my '10 LTZ really felt the boat behind it when towing. The auto ride suspension made me much more confident towing compared to even fullsized p/u I've towed with. When I hooked up the boat and put the full tongue weight on the hitch, I was incredibly surprised to hear the airbag system kick in and level the load. Don't laugh, I'm new to the magnetic ride so I didn't know how it would handle the weight and apparently neither did the other '15 owner at the ramp.

Regarding towing performance, the '15 has more pep than the previous generation did but nothing substantially noticeable. Getting up to 60mph didn't take significant effort but after that, it was a challenge to get her moving much faster. Keep in mind, my rig is 32' and acts like a giant parachute, so it feels more like 10,000lb. Braking was the highlight of the job. New HD brakes? Whatever GM has done has made a HUGE difference in stopping power. All in all the '15 performed much better than the '10.

 

[Steve1081]

Great to hear!

 

[Pockets]

Nice... I've only had two seadoos behind mine but I didn't notice them.

 

[NathanJax]

Sweet! Now I get to come up there and go out on the water!!!!

 

[Spinzone]

Sweet! Now I get to come up there and go out on the water!!!!

Anytime. We'd love to have you and the girls up on your next trip to the Carolinas!

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

Nice... I've only had two seadoos behind mine but I didn't notice them.

I'm on two other forums for both of my boat manufacturers and tow vehicles are a regular topic there. I was surprised I didn't see more threads here.

The auto ride suspension was great on my last Tahoe. The load leveling kept me from having to invest in an expensive hitch distribution system. I know in the last generation auto ride was only available on the LTZ models. With the '15s, auto ride is standard with trailering package (*** edited to included trailering package) on the LS and LT. I was originally fearful that the MRC on the LTZ was designed for soccer moms who never tow anything and no materials anywhere on the web mention airbags in addition to MRC. This system, while not perfect, makes a huge difference in stability, stopping, & steering when towing anything.

 

[Tylus]

With the '15s, auto ride is standard on the LS and LT.

what?

link to this? I had the air ride on my 2005 Caddy and hated it

 

[Spinzone]

what?

link to this? I had the air ride on my 2005 Caddy and hated it

From GM Media release.
Z85 – Premium Smooth Ride with Air Control , which constantly senses and adjusts the rear suspension height until it is level. It is part of the trailering package available on LS and LT.
Z95 – Third-Generation Magnetic Ride Control . Standard on LTZ, it’s the world’s fastest-acting suspension – a real-time damping system that delivers more precise body motion control. It “reads” the road every millisecond and changes damping in just 10-15 milliseconds in shocks filled with a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.

 

[vp46]

Thanks for posting - Looking foprward toseeing/hearing the air leveler work this 4th! We'll be towing a ~6500 Mastercraft (less parachuting effect then you) - I've been towing with an '05 Crew Cab 5.3l ------ hoping for significant difference in power as we are climbing hwy 50 to get to a lake near Tahoe.

 

[Spinzone]

There is no question that you'll notice a big difference. The air ride and the added torque in the '15s makes trailering so much better. Fyi... I needed to go up to a 2" drop with this truck to level the trailer.

Btw... I'm envious! That portion of the country is beautiful with some crystal clear waters.

 

[vp46]

Tbis place is horrible, simply horrible. Water is a cool 78 degrees. Hate this place just hate it.

 

[hosseface]

Tbis place is horrible, simply horrible. Water is a cool 78 degrees. Hate this place just hate it.

Beautiful. What lake is that and where is it?

 

[vp46]

Don;t let looks deceive you... BIG mosquitos and CRAZY amounts of spiders. You'll be lucky to be able to get your cooler open in the morning, the spiders take over everything. And bears don;t get me started on the bears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E94wW_o9ro

This is in Marysville - reservoir called Bullard's Bar. I've heard horrible things about this place.... but I am taking the family anyway.

 

[hosseface]

Well looks like a good time anyhow. Have fun.

 

[vp46]

Does this mean you aren't coming? There are at least 4 spots left at School house - fantastic. Bugs are every where don't sweat it. The bears are there but I dont know anyone personally that has seen one.

The spider thing that might be folklore too.

To be honest I have never been but that will change by the end of July... heard nothing but the most amazing things about this place second only to Lake Powell (king of all lakes period end of argument no questions asked)

Buddy of mine refers to this place as the "secret Lake" and made me vow to tell no one - so please don;t post to any public boards or anything ok? Do we have a deal?

 

[hosseface]

Does this mean you aren't coming? There are at least 4 spots left at School house - fantastic. Bugs are every where don't sweat it. The bears are there but I dont know anyone personally that has seen one.

The spider thing that might be folklore too.

To be honest I have never been but that will change by the end of July... heard nothing but the most amazing things about this place second only to Lake Powell (king of all lakes period end of argument no questions asked)

Buddy of mine refers to this place as the "secret Lake" and made me vow to tell no one - so please don;t post to any public boards or anything ok? Do we have a deal?

10-4. I'll hook up the pontoon and head that way. All the way from.........KY!!!! Looks like a great place to boat for sure.

 

[Griff75]

Our yuk towed the 11000# boat just fine, though we only went 2 blocks.

Seems like it'd be fine for longer tows but we have a 3/4 dodge for this.

 

[Spinzone]

You're a brave soul, Griff!

 

[Pockets]

Looks good to me. Lol... [emoji106]

 

[steverkemp]

I'm glad you started a thread on towing. It is the first spec I looked at when the car was announced. I was optimistic that that we'd see more towing emphasis on the the 15 chassis like was given to the 14 trucks. I was a bit disappointed when the specs came out, though.

However, I can say that hands down, that my 15 Yukon Denali XL outperforms my 09 Yukon Denali XL.

I have towed for three long trips into the mountains with my new ride (after properly breaking the drivetrain in). Today in fact we were at 10,000 ft. My travel trailer is 7400 lbs dry (w/Equalizer Hitch) and this thing kicks butt. From starts to stops to high grade climbs and descents the 15 is far superior. I live in Salt Lake and make some hard climbs and this truck does well.

I do feel that my previous engine was a bit stronger but that just may be perspective because this thing is so much quieter. The integrated trailer braking, sway control, and active grade braking do such a great job.

I also have to say that the 22's were a concern for me at first but they do just fine. In fact, I feel like they are more rigid than with the 20's (tires being the same on both--bridgestone alenza oem).

One final confession (don't judge) is I love adaptive cruise control while towing. It actually helps me worry less about speed and always keeps me a safe distance (set to far) from other vehicles and it allows me to focus on the road and has improved my driving.

Overall, I am very pleased with the tow performance on the new 15. The owners manual is a great source of information about towing and I'd recommend starting there for anyone looking for more information.