Can 2002 GMC Yukon Denali(not xl), base tow-haul pkg/ pull 2012 23ss ROO?

[Wags2237]

I am battling back and forth on this. Keep old or shop for new!!!

Is the Yukon capable of handling my current towing needs and if so what do I need to make it work? OR, start looking for new?

On current yukon, the original auto ride feature (air compressor and air shocks) have been dismantled and new non air KY socks installed.

TT: 2012 23ss

What is GVWR (max capacity) of a 2012 23 ss ROO?

If TT is loaded (gvwr max)can the 2002 GMC pull it?

If so what type of WDH do I consider? Equalizer bars, etc? If it sags how do I get the rear up? Brake assist type??


If I do go new, I am seriously looking at the 2014 F-150, eco boost. Do I go with 3.55 or 3.73?? and why??, Do I go with max tow pkg?? why?? go with HD tow pkg?? why?? Size of tires?? why??

Alot questions here, but would appreciate any input. Newbie at TT, moving up from pop-up.

Thanks

[vinmaker]

I think for us to help you better you need to give let us know what your unit can tow? I think with a towing package and gears your SUV was around 8,000lbs. Don't quote me. Do you know if the SUV has a towing package? Do you see a tranny cooler on the SUV?

[Wags2237]

I looked at sticker on driver door. 7,000 gvwr. No tranny cooler. Failed to mention in earlier post. Live in Colorado, will pull over/thru mountain roads. Thanks for your help.

[PSUFan1]

I tow a 3,600 lb 23 foot trailer with my 06 envoy Denali. It has towing package with external trans cooler. Towing capacity is 6,100 lbs. it does ok.

I would definitely get a trans cooler. You will also need a brake controller.


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[tomjsas]

I started out with a 2003 Yukon XL, it did have the tranny cooler. I towed a 2008 23ss, not sure if there were many changes between it and the 2010 model, I doubt it. I used an equalizer hitch and it towed decently, although the P rated tires tended to still make it feel a little squishy. The biggest issue I had was the 5.3L seemed to struggle a bit going up into the mountains like Golden Gate Canyon Campground or up the north side of Carter Lake (very steep incline). I then moved to a 2008 Yukon XL Denali and the 6.2L added more punch for sure. But on both, even with the tranny cooler, the temps rose pretty quickly and if I remember right hit 230 or so.

[campingwilliamsons]

The 4L60E trans that is in your Yukon will not be happy if you tow that heavy, even on flat land. It WILL OVERHEAT the trans. Get a trans cooler installed and you should be ok. Believe me, unless you want to throw $2700.00 at your 2002, the trans cooler (should be about $200 installed) will be your friend. If you go to a tranny shop to get it done, also have them put in a Shift improvement kit. My local shop will do this for about $500.00. That kit will cause your transmission shift to be much quicker than the soft silky (read gear slipping) shifts that GM programmed as stock. I can tell you from personal experience, that the stock shifting setup is hard on the transmission without any heavy towing (I replaced a trans in an 02 'Burb because of it). Your rear end gears are likely going to be fine, I think all of those came with 3.73 rear ends. You will definitely want to use Tow/Haul mode, as it takes a lot of the Torque Management out (defueling for fuel economy reasons) and holds the gears longer before shifting. Overall, I liked our 02 'Burb for towing, though we only pulled about 3500 lbs regularly.

As for the F150, it really depends on whether your current trailer is going to stay with you for a while. Regardless, get the MaxTow option for sure. It will bump your payload capacity and towing capacity, plus you get the integrated brake controller and towing mirrors. The 3.55 vs 3.73 is a personal preference, the 3.73 will accelerate and tow slightly better, but unless you plan to put 10000 miles/yr towing on the truck, I am not sure it would matter one way or the other. I would seriously look at the HD payload if you plan to keep the truck a long time and know you will eventually go to a bigger trailer. HD Payload comes with 3.73 gears limited slip (instead of electric lockers), 7 lug axles/wheels and a much better payload capacity.

Payload Capacity
Std Crew Cab 4x4 F150 ~1100lbs
MaxTow Crew Cab F150 4x4 ~1600 lbs
HD Payload Crew Cab F150 4x4 + Max Tow ~2200 lbs

Note: You will likely need to order the HD Payload which means you will be getting a 2015.

As you likely know, payload capacity (the on/in vehicle carry capacity) is where all current 1/2 ton trucks (and 3/4 ton for that matter) are limited when towing. That is because trailer tongue weight is carried by the truck. At 15% trailer GVWR, tongue weight can become pretty substantial pretty quick. My 6000lbs Wildwood 27' trailer had a tongue weight of about 850 lbs. When I had my Sr5 Tundra Crew Cab (~1200lbs payload capacity), I was overloaded once I added people, gear, the hitch and the canopy/camper shell. On the other hand, my HD Payload + MaxTow F150 Lariat CrewCab was able to tow my current fifth wheel with the same people and gear and stay within the payload limitations (with about 150 lbs to spare).

[Wags2237]

Thanks for info. I'm going to give the 02 Yukon Denali a try. I' m adding external tranny cooler, brake assist- should just plug in to factory 7 pin on Yukon, I believe? and I'm going with Eaz-Lift 48058 Elite Weight Distributing Hitch Kit - 1,000 lbs. I believe my Yukon is a 6.0 L, 3.73 front and rear axle, gvwr7000# and 8200# wdh/max trailer.

The 23ssroo is 458 dry hitch weight, 4254 dry ship weight, 6347 gvwr.

I will wait on gear kit and see how it shifts. Any other areas I should consider?

Where can I find some tow mirrors for the Yukon?


-Greg: Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[campingwilliamsons]

Trailer Brake controller: Spend the extra few bucks and get a Prodigy P2 or P3. Both are excellent proportional output controllers and will make your towing life much better. You can purchase a vehicle specific wiring harness for an extra $12-15 that will allow plug and play with the Yukon

WDH: Seriously look at the Equal-I-Zer brand hitches. Sway control and WDH built into a single unit. Once setup, it is very easy to use.

GVWR: The dry weight on the Yukon is probably close to 6000 lbs. Recollection for the 4x4 is 5800 on the non-denali. That give you about 1200 of weight carrying capacity. That includes the tongue weight, the weight of the hitch head, your people and gear. As you can see if is very easy to go over the GVWR on 1/2 trucks/SUVS. Just be careful how and what you load in the truck and the trailer.

Trailer weights: Dry weights mean NOTHING! The dry weight on my trailer is 7800lbs. The delivered weight was 9100 lbs (Dual AC units, out side kitchen, dual 30 lb propane bottles, etc.). Keep in mind dry weight from Forest River (and most other RV companies) are a zero option trailer, and many "standard items" are actually options. Things like the stove, oven, ac units, furnace, etc... are all options. My guess is your delivered weight in the Roo will be ~5000 lbs, with a tongue weight of ~550 lbs (this is based on what others have reported for that trailer).

Shift improvement kit: This is different than a "shift kit" like you might put in a hot rod. It essentially changes out the shift solenoids and makes the shifts crisper. It is almost un-noticable to the occupants, but it is a huge improvement to the mechanicals. If you think you are going to start towing a ton, seriously consider it. If this is going to be a 3x per year gig, you can probably skip it.

Tow Mirrors: The only ones for that vintage GM truck are slip on/clip on versions. CIPA does make some that slip over the mirrors that work extremely well (I had them). Custom Towing Mirrors #10800 | CIPA USA In my experience, auto anything and/or amazon had the best price.

[Wags2237]

On the road near Grand Lake as we write. The 2002 Yukon Denali did just fine as TV. I added larger tranny cooler (found out it had smaller tranny cooler as part of tow package on original equipment), upgraded anyway; put on 1000 lbs wdh, didn't put on sway control yet, added slip on tow mirrors, did tranny service (new fluid and screen). Purchased the prodigy 2 brake assist and set up perfectly. Only issue I am experiencing is I am running into my car battery dying...needing to jump it. is this caused by the brake assist draining the battery, since there is no shut off only non use shut off? battery is not all that old. this battery issue has seemed to show up since brake assist installed. Any ideas out there??

[AquaMan]

Is your battery draining without the trailer hooked up?


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