tow vehical selection

looking at a 2001 gmc yukon xl to tow my 6500 lb cruiser. 71k and very well maintained. and never abused. reported to do about 16 mile per gallon. from a trusted friend opinions please.

Re: tow vehical selection

It will do the job but "how well" depends on several factors. Which engine, what axle ratio, 2WD/4WD, tow package or not, are all important. In my view making a wrong axle ratio selection can make a great vehicle a bad tow vehicle.

Re: tow vehical selection

more info, I did weight the the boat today loaded with gas and water on the trailer ready to use. and that includes the trailer. the truck has a tow package my friend is having the truck detailed before he will lend it to me to try it out on a outing to the Hudson which is 65 miles and a 1800 foot drop to sea level before we make a deal next month. he's going to do some surgery on me in the mean time. but is waiting for a new vehicle to come in that's on order. I dont know the engine size or axle ratio, but will ask next week

Re: tow vehical selection

the wheel base length, is not optimum. rather see longer wheel base with that weight. may have to use anti sway bar.

Re: tow vehical selection

The non yukon denali GMT800 yukon xl 1500 trucks (2000-2006) came with the 5.3 liter standard. If it is the yukon xl 2500, it comes with the 6.0 motor. The 5.3 liter of that year has 285 hp and 325 ft lbs. of torque. The standard axle ratio i believe is a 3.73 for the xl with an option for 4.10. You should be fine towing that. I have a 2000 yukon 4WD with the 5.3, towing package, autoride, and 3.73s and it tows my boats great. If you get the chance, see if ithat has autoride or not. That system helps tow a trailer much better. Don't forget to use tow/haul as well.

Re: tow vehical selection

tashasdaddy said:

the wheel base length, is not optimum. rather see longer wheel base with that weight. may have to use anti sway bar.

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xl is the longer wheel base. i think they came stock with a sway bar as they run coil rear springs. mine did any way but it has the tow package
i tow with a yukon xl 1500,and a serra 1500. both are equiped as glasstron's
both are 01's. our boat and trailer weight 7000# over the scale with a full tank of fuel and water tank empty. i have towed two trips and back,380 miles, one way and one trip and back to flaming gorge and back,170 miles one way. this includes stretches of inter-state mountain pass's and elevation changes from 3600 ft to 10000 ft.
this is right up against the tow limit on my trucks,7600 and 7500, but havent had any problems,all above trips made with the yukon. i tow in third gear tow haul on and tow at 55 to 60 mph and have gotten 10 mpg on all trips.
the only trip i had that worried me was the first trip to powell. when i weighted boat i also checked tonuge weight and it was 500 lb. after i unloaded boat first time i moved front post ahead 6". i dont know what tonuge weight is now but works much better.
not loaded my yuk and pu both due better than 16 mpg more like 18 and have gotten 22 a few times out of the yuk.
if you have any more questions ask thats all i can think of now
pu has 168000 and yuk has 52000.