2009 Yukon SLT with Factory Tow Package Cooling Upgrade

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

drseth

TYF Newbie
Joined
May 17, 2016
Posts
21
Reaction score
12
I have a 2009 Yukon 4wd SLT with Factory Tow Package, and am interested in upgrading cooling system to tow a 7000 travel trailer, which is within the heavy duty tow package for the year.

Is an engine oil cooler and transmission cooler all that is needed?
 

Big Mama

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Posts
3,353
Reaction score
2,020
Location
Virginia
Looks like your towing capacity is 8200 lbs if you have max trailering? An external oil and trans cooler would be a good start and a great addition to your rig all around.

How far are you planning to go? Any steep climbs? Weight distribution hitch?

If the trailer is 7k alone once loaded you’ll be close to the limit. You’ll get all kinds of good advice from folks here that tow.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
19,582
Reaction score
26,265
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
I have a 2009 Yukon 4wd SLT with Factory Tow Package, and am interested in upgrading cooling system to tow a 7000 travel trailer, which is within the heavy duty tow package for the year.

Is an engine oil cooler and transmission cooler all that is needed?

I don't remember, suggest that you check your RPO codes for these:

KC4 - Engine Oi Cooler (I know you don't have it)
KNP - Cooling System, Transmission, Heavy Duty
K5L - Enhanced Cooling Package

K5L includes the first two, an external transmission cooler and an engine oil cooler than goes into the driver's side of the radiator. The radiator has more capacity and the electric fans are 700 watts each versus 500 watts.

You probably already have 3.42 gears (GU6) unless yours is a RWD XFE.

How much you ought to change depends on where you want to pull that trailer.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,383
Reaction score
15,794
Location
Richmond, VA
As James says, we need to know exactly what equipment yours has already. Check the option codes and get back to us.

I tow a 7500 pound camper with our 2012 Yukon XL Denali that came with factory transmission and engine oil coolers, and I have upgraded the fans to the K5L package. I have experimented with all kinds of upgrades including a cold case radiator, a Trucool 40K, and ended up right back where I started with a new factory radiator because the cold case lasted only 3 years. I took out the Trucool because it blocked too much airflow and caused engine cooling problems, so I now have a Derale 13960 fan forced transmission cooler mounted below the front bumper and behind the lower grille. It works fine but frankly the factory cooler would’ve worked just as well if I’d left it alone.
 
Last edited:

Foggy

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Posts
1,079
Reaction score
1,378
Location
KS
Upgrade the radiator to either a new high quality or an all aluminum aftermarket
like a mishimoto or cold case type radiator. You'll want to make sure
your trans is in Excellent condition. For ease of install, an aftermarket pan
such as the b&M or tci will help with cooling and add a couple more quarts of fluid.
Make sure all your systems are in excellent shape.. you are still 12+ years old
so that alone (w/o towing) deserves some special attention.. Belts, hoses, all fluids,
all filter, differentials, transfer case.
Towing (at max) requires every system to be in "like new" condition
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,065
Posts
1,861,809
Members
96,527
Latest member
Chaveztech510
Top