Yukon Denali Trailer Package - Can I still tow without it?

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VMD2022

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I think we found a Yukon Denali to purchase but it doesn't come with the trailer package. Can I still tow our travel trailer without this?
 

Keg0brew

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Depends. How much does your travel trailer weigh? Does it have electric brakes? What state(s) will you be towing in?
 
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VMD2022

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Depends. How much does your travel trailer weigh? Does it have electric brakes? What state(s) will you be towing in?
The travel trailer weighs 5600 lbs and has electric breaks- towing in California
 

altona

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Should be under your max trailer weight. Stay under your payload limit on drivers door jamb sticker AND ADD A TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER to activate your trailer brakes.
 

WalleyeMikeIII

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How regularly do you plan on towing?

If you are regularly hooking up 5600 lbs to the rig, I would not do it w/ out the Max Tow package.
Worse yet, depends on what part of Cali, but you will have a lot of hills and maybe even mountains, another reason to get the enhanced cooling of the Max Tow package.

Check this thread, as it goes into all the calculations you need to think about:
 
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suterusu

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Jeremie's response in the linked thread above is great. Familiarize yourself with everything that goes into the total weight (camper dry weight vs. when you load it with water, propane, etc.). Tow rating barely changes on the gassers (entirely related to the enhanced cooling), but being that cooling capacity is factored into the ratings, if your trailer is truly under the weight rating, you don't need to worry. Familiarize yourself with SAE J2807 that is used to set the trucks tow rating.
 
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VMD2022

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We are highly leaning towards the Diesel engine- will that change anything as far as towing? Sorry I should have mentioned that to begin with!
 

suterusu

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We are highly leaning towards the Diesel engine- will that change anything as far as towing? Sorry I should have mentioned that to begin with!

Because the diesel engine is heavier, the tow capacity stays the same with or without max tow. I have a diesel SLT right now and when we ordered our Denali diesel, max tow was on constraint. All I wanted it for was the integrated brake controller and the ability to get the trailer tire sensors. The aftermarket solution I posted above has been working fine for years for me, though, so I'm not going to miss it. I have towed a half dozen times now and it is a great engine. 31.5mpg highway, 22mpg towing (car on an open trailer, 5K lbs roughly).
 

StephenPT

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With the diesel engine, you get the HD radiator, so the towing capacity stays the same with or without max tow. The option only adds the integrated trailer brake controller and 2-speed transfer case.
 

Stbentoak

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Another thing that factors into it is how often and how far. If you are going to tow two or three times a month and go hundreds of miles in hilly terrain etc. you probably should really just look at a three-quarter ton and then put this worry behind you. Without air ride it will sag noticeably…
if it’s only occasionally and for 10 or 20 miles, I’d get the appropriate rigging, and carry on.
 

R32driver

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As stated already you will sag for sure if the rig is not equipped with air ride.
 

steiny93

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The hard bits that will matter (radiator and transmission cooler) are the components I would check to see if they are different. (if its a diesel they don't change with or without max tow package, dunno on the gaser)

If you don't have them you can add them pretty easily. The brake controller isn't a big deal to add.
 

Pboerschlein

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Hello I just took delivery of a suburban high country with the diesel. It did not come with the trailer brake controller I installed this one from Tekonsha. It’s nice cause you can make adjustments with your phone via BT.
 

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