Tow vehicles

[flyboy700]

Simple question: can I expect a half ton pickup to be a better trailer puller than my 2011 6.2 Yukon Denali? We're presently pulling a 23 foot 6000# Rockwood (and struggling up the mountains). I'm asking because all the 1/2 tons I've looked at have smaller and less powerful motors than our Denali,
John

[dcheatwood]

Depends on the engine, hp, torgue, cargo capacities, tow capabilities. They have diesel half-tons with high torgue but low cargo limits. V8 engines with high hp and decent torgue but lacking in payload. Even v6 gassers with turbos and high torgue and high payloads. It's a nightmare trying to figure it out but you're doing your research and that's good.
Might help to know your SUV's hp, torgue, towing capacity and payload. Then others can chime in with experience and accurate references. Happy rv-ing.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by flyboy700

Simple question: can I expect a half ton pickup to be a better trailer puller than my 2011 6.2 Yukon Denali? We're presently pulling a 23 foot 6000# Rockwood (and struggling up the mountains). I'm asking because all the 1/2 tons I've looked at have smaller and less powerful motors than our Denali,
John

The F150 3.5 Ecoboost v-6 is equal or superior to your 6.2 v-8 for towing power and torque.

[Blackrock]

What's killing you in your 6.2 Denali is probably you gear ratio.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by flyboy700

Simple question: can I expect a half ton pickup to be a better trailer puller than my 2011 6.2 Yukon Denali? We're presently pulling a 23 foot 6000# Rockwood (and struggling up the mountains). I'm asking because all the 1/2 tons I've looked at have smaller and less powerful motors than our Denali,
John

Are you sure you Are pulling 6000#s? What about gear and passengers fully loaded? Is is possible the issue is towing a larger load than a 1/2 is capable of? The 6.2 should have no trouble with 6000#s, unless it is not geared to tow.

[flyboy700]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Depends on the engine, hp, torgue, cargo capacities, tow capabilities. They have diesel half-tons with high torgue but low cargo limits. V8 engines with high hp and decent torgue but lacking in payload. Even v6 gassers with turbos and high torgue and high payloads. It's a nightmare trying to figure it out but you're doing your research and that's good.
Might help to know your SUV's hp, torgue, towing capacity and payload. Then others can chime in with experience and accurate references. Happy rv-ing.

Hi dcheatwood,
Our Denali has a 6.2 L vortec V8, 403 hp @5700 rpm, 417 ftlbs torgue @ 4300 rpm. Gross weight of the vehicle is 3314#, and has a 3.42 rear axle, and has a heavy duty trailer package.

[flyboy700]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Depends on the engine, hp, torgue, cargo capacities, tow capabilities. They have diesel half-tons with high torgue but low cargo limits. V8 engines with high hp and decent torgue but lacking in payload. Even v6 gassers with turbos and high torgue and high payloads. It's a nightmare trying to figure it out but you're doing your research and that's good.
Might help to know your SUV's hp, torgue, towing capacity and payload. Then others can chime in with experience and accurate references. Happy rv-ing.

Almost forgot, 8100# towing capacity.

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

What's killing you in your 6.2 Denali is probably you gear ratio.

X2

And right as I said that I saw you posted specs.

So are we talking high altitude, maybe a 8% grade, is it in second or third gear?

[moose074]

In my opinion most of it is your gearing. The 3:42 is for mpg not towing. I also noticed you said 403 hp at 5700 rpm, but how much horsepower around your normal driving rpms. I think most any newer truck with the new 8-10 speed transmission and at least 3:55 gearing would be better

[67L48]

Also, that weight cannot be correct. A Yukon Denali will weigh a ton more than 3,300 lbs ... literally ... as in, you're at least 2,000 lbs too low on that weight.

Heavy SUV with low numeric gears aren't helping you. If you're at altitude, you're leaving a huge chunk of your power numbers at the bottom of the mountain (3% per 1,000'). A turbo/supercharged engine will help a lot.

On the face of it, a 6,000 lb trailer shouldn't be a big problem for a 6.2L, though. However, a modern F-150 3.5L EB with tow package (3.73 gears) would be a completely different experience towing that 6,000 lb trailer.

[BandJCarm]

What you are calling Gross Weight is probably one axle. Total of Yukon is closer to 7,000 lbs than it is to 3,314 lbs.

[dcheatwood]

That all looks good. Now to figure out how much weight it can carry. (payload/cargo capacity) That was the biggest limiting factor on my 1/2 ton.

Originally Posted by flyboy700

Almost forgot, 8100# towing capacity.

[mxdad]

Had the same setup in an Escalade towing 7500. The 6.2 in the trucks usually has the same 3.42 ratio, but some shipped with 3.73's.

If you are pulling in the mountains, expect to run 3rd or even 2nd gear depending on the situation. The 6.2 doesn't mind revving, just keep an eye coolant temp.