Wildwood LE 26TBSS Yukon XL 2500 no match?

wanners · 09-02-2010, 11:18 AM

We have an 09 Wildwood LE 26TBSS and a 2000 Yukon XL 2500 6.0 Liter. We are struggling on the haul though. DH can never (or rarely) get it into overdrive and ends up in third most of the time. Anything with any terraine or crosswind and third it is. We had the ECM programming done; did not help. The guy thought it seemed underpowered and perhaps it was the catalytic converters; we had it in to have that checked and they are fine. We thought we had the power to pull our trailer but we are increasingly uncertain . We usually travel with five in the TV (540 lbs). Trailer is loaded pretty average I think; we never haul water or full tanks. Dry wieght on the trailer is supposed to be mid 5000 lbs. We do generally haul bikes though. (three of them being smaller ones). Anyone have any ideas that might help?

NWJeeper · 09-02-2010, 01:00 PM

Only one thing comes to mind. Have you put larger tires on the Yukon from factory stock? If so you have thrown the gearing out of factory specs. Re-gearing the axle(s if 4x4), or changing back to stock tire size would be necessary to regain lost power.

dougiefreshhh · 09-02-2010, 01:13 PM

we have a 05 Suburban 1500 with 4.10 rear end, pulling 233S hybrid ,~4200# dry. With 6 in the car, liquid tanks pretty much empty, any hills or head wind will result in a down shift to 3rd. If i'm in a hilly region, I just pull it down into 3rd and ride it out at 60mph (~3000rpm).

wanners · 09-02-2010, 03:23 PM

...think it is the tires but that is easy enought to check ; I think they are what they are supposed to be. It is not a 4x4.

The rear is geared 4/11.

It just seems for what it is we should be able to get it into overfrive even in the flat section if there is any crosswind; forget it.

There seems to be lots of knowledge here so hopefully someone will have some ideas...we will double check the tires though as we had never thought of that angle.
Thanks

dezolen · 09-02-2010, 03:43 PM

We towed a 28' Rockwood with a 2005 Tahoe with 5.3 litre engine with no problems at 60mph.
Your's is a 3/4 ton with longer wheelbase and more powerful engine.
All depends how fast you need to go and are you expecting non towing performance out of your TV with trailer attached?

wanners · 09-02-2010, 03:54 PM

...With the trailer DH is 60pmh max; even if he could go faster he would not. He a slow careful driver. So no we are not expecting the same performance as without a TT but just wondering if we should be able to get into overdrive or is there another problem we whousl be investigating,
Thanks

Dave_Monica · 09-02-2010, 04:03 PM

Welcome to the world of towing. I know that it's a rude awakening when new to towing a TT the amount of aerodynamic drag that the camper has. Does your truck have a tow/haul mode on the transmission...if it has, use it. You could also weight your set-up at a set of scales...you might be surprised what the real towing weight of the camper is. You should also look hard at what you're loading into the camper, eliminate truly non-essential items.

Dave

dezolen · 09-02-2010, 07:36 PM

Sorry I don't recall whether my previous TV would run in OD while towing perhaps on flat land but I did average 10mpg if that gives any indication.

Hokiehall · 09-02-2010, 07:50 PM

I have an 03 1500 Suburban towing about a 6000 lb Flagstaff(loaded w/o water). I usually put it in D3 with tow mode enabled and have no problems. When I do leave it in overdrive the transmission wants to hunt where it wants to go so leaving it in 3 has made for a much smoother ride.

Emptypockets · 09-02-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokiehall

I have an 03 1500 Suburban towing about a 6000 lb Flagstaff(loaded w/o water). I usually put it in D3 with tow mode enabled and have no problems. When I do leave it in overdrive the transmission wants to hunt where it wants to go so leaving it in 3 has made for a much smoother ride.

X2 only mine is a 04 1500 pickup. Sorry but overdrive isn't made to pull a load with.

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