2014 275ulsbs Towing Problems

[bud0994]

Hi there new to the forum a little back ground. i have been towing trailers all my life. My current tow rig is a 2005 2500 Yukon 4x4 w/ 8.1L auto ride suspension. have pulled all sorts of trailers with this unit and no problems. In January we bought our firs toy hauler. we got a 2014 work and play 275ulsbs. Towed it home no problems. First trip out was to go ice fishing towed great. This spring loaded up the atv and went to do a weekend river camp and pulled terrible. All was fine till i got to 60-65 then just wanted to sway all over the place. The hitch i was using was a old Reese WD. So i figured it was time to upgrade anyways so I bought the Anderson no sway witch seemed to help. Brought it to my work one day to get weights because i figured that i didn't have enough tongue weight. I loaded the camper like we was going camping here is what i found out. Camper weight w/o atv 10240 with 11200. Tongue weight w/o atv 1640 with 1380. so i know i have enough tongue weight where do i go now. Any help will be much appreciated. Also i am still within spec on my tow capacity witch is 12000 with wd hitch.

[woo10-210]

I think you know the answer. Your TW was reduced almost 4% by adding the ATV and now you have sway even though your TW is still above 10%. The 10% minimum TW isn't an absolute number. Your TH seems to like the TW much higher as it towed well at 16%. Make sure the ATV is as far forward as possible or move some other cargo forward and see what happens.

[llr]

You may also need a better hitch (Blue Ox sway-pro, equalizer 4pt etc)and/or different settings with and without the ATV and this really need to be done on a scale with at least 3 platforms since I don't think measurements will help with the auto ride suspension

[woo10-210]

Originally Posted by llr

You may also need a better hitch (Blue Ox sway-pro, equalizer 4pt etc)and/or different settings with and without the ATV and this really need to be done on a scale with at least 3 platforms since I don't think measurements will help with the auto ride suspension

Better hitch? He bought an Andersen!

[bud0994]

Thanks woo10-210 thats what i was thinking but just wanted some other opinions. I was planning on trying that the next trip out i guess this just seal the deal

[llr]

I missed the hitch change and have never used the Andersen hitch but from what I have read it is better for lighter trailers.
Still need real weights either way.

[tomkatb]

Dumb question.

When searching for a tow vehicle we passed on the Yukon due to their tow rating of #8100 and payload of #1400 which is not enough for that trailer. We were looking at one that size.

Is the 8.1 a higher rated vehicle? Not much information available. No longer available.

Then too, 35’ trailers can be difficult on lighter trucks. They can wag a half ton all around. Lots of folks have issues. Tow ratings are not based on travel trailer but, low profile aerodynamic small vehicles. Adding that sail can be an issue. Read other posts on long trailers and half ton trucks.

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Dumb question.

When searching for a tow vehicle we passed on the Yukon due to their tow rating of #8100 and payload of #1400 which is not enough for that trailer. We were looking at one that size.

Is the 8.1 a higher rated vehicle? Not much information available. No longer available.

Then too, 35’ trailers can be difficult on lighter trucks. They can wag a half ton all around. Lots of folks have issues. Tow ratings are not based on travel trailer but, low profile aerodynamic small vehicles. Adding that sail can be an issue. Read other posts on long trailers and half ton trucks.

The OP's Yukon XL is a 3/4 ton truck with a 12,000lb tow rating and, depending on trim level, should have a payload of around 2100lbs.

[tomkatb]

Thanks.

Somewhere in my mind I thought there was a heavier Suburban. In 2016 when I looked I saw nothing like that. I was at the GMC dealer. I likely would have bought it and a trailer rather than a fiver and truck.

The DW loves her diesel truck now. She drove a Tahoe for 13 years.

[Shamrockthecasbah]

With tongue weight of 1380 that will increase as you move trailer weight forward, I would recommend the Blue Ox Swaypro 2000. The Equalizer and Anderson (for 2" receiver) max out at 1400 lbs.


FYI: The Autoride on 3/4 ton suburban/yukons doesn't include any kind of air lift so it wont affect hitch setup measurements

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Thanks.

Somewhere in my mind I thought there was a heavier Suburban. In 2016 when I looked I saw nothing like that. I was at the GMC dealer. I likely would have bought it and a trailer rather than a fiver and truck.

The DW loves her diesel truck now. She drove a Tahoe for 13 years.

You are correct, the 2500 Suburban (6.0 engine) was discontinued in 2014. The 8.1 Suburban 2500 was only from 2001-2006.

[bud0994]

Thanks everyone for your input. I didn't realize how heavy the tongue was when I bought that hitch. I may have to get a different one if I have to put a lot of weight up front to make it work right.

[CincyGus]

Also check to make sure your trailer is level when hitched. Measure from the frame in front and the frame in the rear and see if the measurements are very close. If your nose high and can drop your hitch a notch that will increase your TW some and may be enough to help improve the situation. If you are already Level or a little nose low (1" or less), I wouldn't go any nose lower than that.

[drittal]

I’m going to make a guess his receiver in the truck is only good for 1200lbs...

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Bud0994: how does your Yukon pull the 11K+ trailer? I tow only about 6500 lbs with 4 or 5 people in the Burb and it tows great.