Air/no-air suspension on Yukon XL for pulling Toy Hauler?

[ddeblois]

Does your Yukon have the factory tow package (with the factory 7-way)? If so, the addition of a brake controller is a very simple 30 minute install.

I run this in my Denali when towing my trailers.
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html

I do have the factory tow package included already.

When I get a chance, I will go weigh the truck and trailer to see, there's a scale close by which will be convenient.

I'm leaning towards the compressor and rear shocks from Arnott but I'm wondering if, unlike the original air suspension, this one needs to be activated manually. If so, how does that work?

 

[ddeblois]

I just found that the tow rating on my Yukon XL is 7900lbs and the trailer is 6500lbs (written on a plaque on the trailer itself) and 7775 lbs is what's written on the licence plate registration for it, which probably includes a buffer of weight for what we carry. So if the trailer is loaded and weighs 7775 lbs, tongue weight should be around 780lbs (10%), then it seems I should be fine.

Am I right?

 

[scryfst]

If loaded correctly tongue weight should be between 10% and 15%.

 

[TowGMC]

Remember these tow ratings are WITH weight distributing, not dead weight.

I tow a 24' v-nose race car trailer probably 10,000 miles a year with my 6.2L Denali. Total towed weight, certified on a Cat scale fully loaded, is 6,700 lbs with a 900lb tongue weight. I use a Reese DualCam weight distributing platform with 1,000 lb spring bars to get the truck and trailer level. Stability-wise the Denali is fantastic towing the trailer. But from a performance standpoint the truck is barely marginal towing this much weight over long distances especially in the mountains. Until I put a big auxiliary trans cooler on my trans temps would regularly hit 250, and water temps would go way up when towing uphill at 65mph in 3rd gear. Trans cooler brought trans temps down to the 210 range when climbing but still higher than I'd like. And 6.5-7.5 mpg on premium fuel means an expensive fuel stop every 140 miles (2 hours). Oh and I've done a trans service twice- 40k and 80k- to keep the trans alive.

When my rear shocks and pump went (and with all that tongue weight they will blow out) I replaced with Arnott Bilstein air shock and their pump kit. Nice products. But with 900# tongue weight the shocks won't pump up the weight without the spring bars to level it out. OE shocks and pump wouldn't either. Too much tongue weight.

Note- the correct way to hook up a trailer when using weight distributing spring bars is to first shut off the truck so the air compressor does not turn on. Then hook up, level everything with the spring bars to get most of the tongue weight minimized. Then as a last step start the truck and let the airbags air up. This method lets the spring bars do the weight lifting and the air bags just supplement.

 

[scryfst]

I can't see towing that much trailer and weight with my Denali. As you stated, she's marginal at best! And this is coming from someone that has taken the proper steps to properly maintain and prepare their vehicle to reliably get from point a to b. We haul the bikes and quads often, all enclosed trailers, and anytime we need more trailer than 14'-16' the Yukon is reduced to people moving.

My son and I just picked up another trailer in GA this past Friday. 1500+ mile round trip. 760 unloaded and 760 pulling a empty, enclosed 7x14 with a 2'V. Averaged close to 18mpg going down and around 8 on the return... ouch! Fill ups every 200 miles makes for a lengthy trip and precisely why i also own a one ton diesel.

 

[TowGMC]

Which is why I also have a GMC 2500HD Denali with a Duramax/Allison. Where the Yukon Denali struggles to pull mountains at 50mph and 7mpg, the Duramax pulls every grade at 75 with ease and gets 15mpg doing it. But for more local races, <100 miles away, when I need the seating of the SUV with family along, I use the Yukon.

 

[scryfst]

Which is why I also have a GMC 2500HD Denali with a Duramax/Allison. Where the Yukon Denali struggles to pull mountains at 50mph and 7mpg, the Duramax pulls every grade at 75 with ease and gets 15mpg doing it. But for more local races, <100 miles away, when I need the seating of the SUV with family along, I use the Yukon.

I understand exactly where your coming from and precisely why I also own a diesel (F350, 4x4, crew cac, long box). The Yukon is a great vehicle! Imo, just not the ideal choice for mountain or heavy towing.

 

[ddeblois]

I understand exactly where your coming from and precisely why I also own a diesel (F350, 4x4, crew cac, long box). The Yukon is a great vehicle! Imo, just not the ideal choice for mountain or heavy towing.

I don't necessarily plan on doing that much mileage with it not do I have specific intention to climb tall mountains. I'd say it's more for traveling to locations within 3-400 miles a 5-10 times a year. It seemed to do fine when I drove it home from 2.5 hours away after purchasing the trailer. Of course it was empty then but still...

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

I just found that the tow rating on my Yukon XL is 7900lbs and the trailer is 6500lbs (written on a plaque on the trailer itself) and 7775 lbs is what's written on the licence plate registration for it, which probably includes a buffer of weight for what we carry. So if the trailer is loaded and weighs 7775 lbs, tongue weight should be around 780lbs (10%), then it seems I should be fine.

Am I right?

keep in mind GM Ford and Dodge are notorious for overrating there vehicles
also alotta people tend to forget and dont take into consideration passenger weight and the amount of luggage or whatever loaded into the cargo area
also dont people tend to forget to dump there grey water and sewer and they fill up there water tanks before they leave

 

[Yukon John]

Check out Arnott industries....rear shocks and and a compressor can be had for around $550.....then you should be good. I use my air ride/auto level pulling my fishing boat and utility trailer. Its the worth the $ to fix IMO. I had a travel trailer for a little bit and the weight distribution bars made a huge difference as well.

+1 on Arnott...I used them to rebuild the rear Air Suspension on my 05 Escalade ESV...less than $600.

With 1200 # tongue weight you need to get an equalizing hitch...I'm running 600# on my Yukon and I think the limit is abot 750#.