Pulling with yukon xl

[Dougflyer71]

We just put a deposit on a 2016 x213.
We plan to pull it with a 2011 YUKON xl with 5.3 and 3.08 gears. Will this work ok? I didn't really want to buy a new vehicle as well. Thanks for the replies.

Doug

[Seann45]

What does the door sticker on the Yukon say Doug? That door sticker tells you the capabilities of the truck as it was setup leaving the factory..

[Dougflyer71]

Originally Posted by Seann45

What does the door sticker on the Yukon say Doug? That door sticker tells you the capabilities of the truck as it was setup leaving the factory..

Sticker says cargo + occupants up to 1490 lbs. I read somewhere else the towing capacity is 5000lbs.

[ALJO]

5000 lbs. is usual the bumper pull

[DocBrown]

Don't go by "what you read somewhere". And don't guess. This is about your family's safety. Everything you need to know is in 3 places, your owners manual, the door sticker, and the RPO code list in your glove box. Your manual has a chart showing various trim levels and option packages along with the corresponding towing capacities and GCWR. You already know your gearing, but check the RPO codes for all options that could affect towing capacities. Things like towing packages, 4WD, etc.

The trailer you just bought has a 5500# GVWR. The listed unloaded (dry) weight does not include options like AC, awning, etc, even thjough some of them are listed as part of the mandatory "Customer Convenience PAckage". Now load your things and your ready to camp weight will be closer to the GVWR. If your truck truly only has a 5000# capacity you'll be close to or over your rated capacity.

As someone who has knowingly towed 2 different setups at close to my capacities, I can tell you may be fine for short trips on flat terrain. Anything more you will hate the towing experience and be looking for a beefier tow vehicle within 12-18 months.

[Dougflyer71]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

Don't go by "what you read somewhere". And don't guess. This is about your family's safety. Everything you need to know is in 3 places, your owners manual, the door sticker, and the RPO code list in your glove box. Your manual has a chart showing various trim levels and option packages along with the corresponding towing capacities and GCWR. You already know your gearing, but check the RPO codes for all options that could affect towing capacities. Things like towing packages, 4WD, etc.

The trailer you just bought has a 5500# GVWR. The listed unloaded (dry) weight does not include options like AC, awning, etc, even thjough some of them are listed as part of the mandatory "Customer Convenience PAckage". Now load your things and your ready to camp weight will be closer to the GVWR. If your truck truly only has a 5000# capacity you'll be close to or over your rated capacity.

As someone who has knowingly towed 2 different setups at close to my capacities, I can tell you may be fine for short trips on flat terrain. Anything more you will hate the towing experience and be looking for a beefier tow vehicle within 12-18 months.

Yes. I will check those sources and make sure. I think it will be safe but not very enjoyable. I suspect we will be looking for a a new vehicle. although a gear change may increase the amount I can tow. The Yukon rating increases with a higher gear ratio. Is it really that simple? That seems to be a cheap fix compared to a new truck. Of course everyone I ask outside of this forum seems to have a different opinion on what is doable. Just want to be safe, cause this is supposed to be fun!

[DocBrown]

A gear change isn't a bad approach and could be a cheap way to push off replacing the truck. That is if your truck is 2WD. It gets really expensive if it's 4WD because the front differential has to match. I've heard changing gears on 4Wd can run upwards of $2k.

[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by Dougflyer71

We just put a deposit on a 2016 x213.
We plan to pull it with a 2011 YUKON xl with 5.3 and 3.08 gears. Will this work ok? I didn't really want to buy a new vehicle as well. Thanks for the replies.

Doug

I found this link online. It is the GMC trailer guide for 2011. It has a chart in the back with max trailer weights for various vehicles.
http://assets.cobaltnitra.com/teams/...146edef087.pdf

[Dougflyer71]

Thanks. That info was helpful. Curious the differences a gear change makes. I have a 4wd, so that would be spendy.

[Seann45]

Go to the dealer with your Vin they can look up the max tow weight as it left the factory..

[tugboat95]

The Yukon is very capable but to tow I'd change that 3.08 gear to at least a 3.73. A 4.10 would be awesome but fuel mileage would suck!. I tow with a suburban old school 350 engine with 3.73 gear. It's a good compromise for both power and mileage. I think the 3.08 is gonna struggle with 5k lbs.

[Dougflyer71]

Ok. I will check into that. Unfortunately it's 4 x 4 so gotta do both ends

[tugboat95]

I can't speak for 4wd. But my pinion bearing just went out a few months ago. I looked at upgrading to the 4.10 while I was in it if the old gear was bad. Ended up it was Just the bearing and I kept the original gear. Anyway a new 4.10 was right at 200 bucks for the parts, with me doing the labor. Gears are easy fairly cheap labor, pinion bearing is labor intensive and time consuming if you hire it out.

[JohnWedell]

Be careful, changing gears will not increase your carrying capacity. Carrying is just as important as pulling.

[Seann45]

Do a google search for Randys ring and pinion.. he is an expert at swapping out dif's well worth the phone call.

[rgchak]

I changed from 3.55 to 4.53:1 gears on my 4WD the cost was $400 labor on each differential and $400 for parts each end. So about $1000 which is cheaper then a new vehicle. I love how my truck pulls now with the new gearing.

[Gone campin]

You guys gotta keep in mind that his 2011 has a 6 speed transmission - he would not want to go too deep on the gears. My Silverado with a trailer package has 3.42 gears and it is perfect in my opinion. The ratios in the 6 speed are different than the previous generation 4 speeds.

[Gone campin]

Take a look at this info...

Here are the gear ratios for the 6L80E:
1st - 4.027
2nd - 2.364
3rd - 1.532
4th - 1.152
5th - 0.852
6th - 0.667

Compared to the 4L60E:
1st - 3.059
2nd - 1.625
3rd - 1.000
4th - 0.696

Now look at this final drive ratio comparison I threw together for his current gears…

6L80E with 3.08 gears:
1st – 12.4
2nd – 7.28
3rd – 4.72
4th – 3.55
5th – 2.62
6th – 2.05

Compared to 4L60E with 3.73 gears:
1st – 11.4
2nd – 6.06
3rd – 3.73
4th – 2.6

So, he is actually better off than I was last year with my 06 Tahoe with 3.73 gears... 6th gear might not see a lot of use though...

[ctbailey]

Nice figurin' gone. Thanks very much. I too also agree that the 6speed tranny and computer makes a "gear swap" something of yesteryear. Basically any GM after 2007 will never have its gears swapped once the owner realizes what the shop needs to do.

Gone are the days when 4x4 Chevys were sold with solid front axles and manual gear boxes. Maybe the new fords can still be "swapped" but I'm not a ford guy, so I have no idea. But every time I see on the forum "you should look into a gear swap" I chuckle.

[Dougflyer71]

Well all this info is making me feel better. I will just be careful until I see how things are going to go. Can't wait to get it next Saturday.