Tow question

[TTNewbees]

I don't get the whole towing ratings. Of course my dealer looked up my SUV then proceeded to show us trailers. The wife was certain the one we bought was the one but I again questioned the load situation. So we went for it, and while stocking trailer, I was all about being light. Well first trip no issue with equalizer, air ride rode level, zero sway and no issue towing at 65 mph flat land.

Here is the question:

Why is it a simple 1/2 ton truck with a 5.4 liter engine is capable of towing a 9,600 - 10,000 lb trailer but the tow rating on a Yukon Denali with a 6.2 liter is capable of 8000 lbs. The other day reading car and driver showed a 3.5l Eco boost ford can tow 11,000??

Is there anything I can do to increase the tow rating on my Yukon? Change rear gear(has 3.73), modify transmission, springs, anything?

So far it's not a issue but its weighing on my mind going to Jackson hole next summer.

[M109Rrider]

I imagine it's less because of wheel base and curb weight. Longer wheel bases tow better and trucks are lighter compared to suv's.... which means curb weight of the tow vehicle contributes less to combined gross vehicle weight thus allowing a heavier trailer. Also, I would think SUV manufactures build SUV's for the masses.... and the masses don't tow trailers, they haul people. They want ride quality for and sacrifice tow ratings. Softer springs, P metric tires and softer shocks. Can't legally increase tow capacity but you can do stuff to make it "tow better"... Like HD shocks, airbags, overload springs... etc...

[Dave_Monica]

I wish there's another way to say without seeming blunt, but it really appears that you've put the 'cart before the horse'.

I don't think you're going to get the support you're looking for in your decision to be pulling a 34'10" camper with a 116" wheelbase Denali. The dry weight of this camper is probably understated at 7098 lbs...the real dry weight is probably closer to 7500 lbs. It shows a carrying capacity of 2500 lbs so it's GVWR must be in the range of 9500 to 10,000 lbs.

I don't know if this was a case of listening too much to the salesman, but clearly that is too much camper for your Denali.

Dave

[TTNewbees]

You might be right, seems to tow ok so far. The delivered sticker is 6979 and I weighed everything put into it at 636 lbs. The GVWR is 15,500. I am certain I am legal, just seriously considering downgrading my tow vehicle to a truck( no offense) but the cart is not in front of the horse as I can by 2 of them for the price I paid for the Yukon Denali XL. Kind of my original thought, if it don't work, buy a truck, saves a couple bucks.

[Rebel702]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

I wish there's another way to say without seeming blunt, but it really appears that you've put the 'cart before the horse'.
...
I don't know if this was a case of listening too much to the salesman, but clearly that is too much camper for your Denali.

Dave

x2

We started shopping looking to pull with our Yukon Denali as well. Every salesperson confirmed that we could pull 34" to 35" units that we really liked. I was not convinced and finally had one sales manager tell me no way on the model we liked. I realized we were not going to be happy in less "cart" so I went "horse" shopping. I made sure my horse could handle it when we decide to upgrade or full-time in the future. Air suspension for ride comfort and short wheel base are not meant for towing bigger or longer units. Still have the Yukon in the stable for hauling Gkids and road trips w/o the trailer because it is a great ride.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

I don't get the whole towing ratings. Of course my dealer looked up my SUV then proceeded to show us trailers. The wife was certain the one we bought was the one but I again questioned the load situation. So we went for it, and while stocking trailer, I was all about being light. Well first trip no issue with equalizer, air ride rode level, zero sway and no issue towing at 65 mph flat land.

Here is the question:

Why is it a simple 1/2 ton truck with a 5.4 liter engine is capable of towing a 9,600 - 10,000 lb trailer but the tow rating on a Yukon Denali with a 6.2 liter is capable of 8000 lbs. The other day reading car and driver showed a 3.5l Eco boost ford can tow 11,000??

Is there anything I can do to increase the tow rating on my Yukon? Change rear gear(has 3.73), modify transmission, springs, anything?

So far it's not a issue but its weighing on my mind going to Jackson hole next summer.

The answer to the first question is that there is no set standard among manufacturers. At least that was true, but has changed with the SAE creating a new standardized test to determine towing capacity for large pick-ups as announced this summer (SAE J2807). Until now, truck manufacturers each designed their own arbitrary test to measure tow capacity and these tests were all different from each other and were, usually, highly optimistic. Toyota changed to the new standard for the Tundra and the others are following or hopefully will adopt the standard in the next year or two. Then a comparison can be more easily made when shopping.

The answer to your second question is "no" you can't change your tow ratings by doing modifications yourself. The mods you listed might help but they do not change your vehicle's tow ratings.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

downgrading my tow vehicle to a truck( no offense) but the cart is not in front of the horse as I can by 2 of them for the price I paid for the Yukon Denali XL.

The price you paid doesn't equate to it's ability as a tow vehicle.

Dave

[TTNewbees]

Agreed, we will try it and if needed downgrade our tow vehicle. None of it still makes any sense to me but I am not an engineer. Comments so far are on wheelbase. Yukon XL 130", 143" on silverado hd 2500, obviously makes a huge difference. May have to get a 3.5 l ecoboost before next summer, gives me a reason to go to auto show.

Thanks!

[M109Rrider]

If I was in the market for a 1/2 ton it would be an eco beast

[CliffP]

In 1976 my parents ordered a Olds Cutlass Supreme station wagon with a 455, put air adjustable shocks on and used a weight distribution hitch (no sway bars then) to pull a 28' stick and tin tank of a camper from WI to OR and the long way home with no problems. Now my 1/2 ton isn't "heavy enough" to pull a lighter camper. Hmmmmmmm?