Can my 1999 Yukon Denali Tow my 24" Boat

[wpnzrule]

My 99 Yukon used to pull a 24' pontoon through the mountains(Idaho) almost every weekend. It did great, gas mileage sucks though.

 

[Done Deal DR]

There are two answers at play here. Can it physically tow it, and the one being overlooked, can you legally tow it?

More than likely your Yukon will be able to physically tow it, but being that it's over the weight your hitch and truck is rated for it probably won't do is easily or safely. Which brings me to my next point, almost all states have laws in place that make it highly illegal to tow something over the weight of what your truck/hitch combination is rated at. This likely won't come into play unless you're involved in an accident (of any kind), and if you cant stop in time or anything (even if its not directly your fault or because you're overloaded in most cases), expect a big lawsuit to ensue. Good luck getting insurance after that.


Just something to think about. If you're a kid towing over the rating you can mark that off as dumb things kids do, but if you're an adult you should know better IMO. The least you can do is get a hitch rated higher (if available) and make a few mods such as better tranny cooler, etc, and keep your maintenance up to a high level...ensure your brakes are working optimally, stuff like that.

 

[gmcconvert]

tow weight?

what is the full weight of the boat? Assume boat dry weight+ full fuel tank+trailer+gear. Also pay attention to where you are getting the dry weight of the boat as most manufacturers are posting dry hull weight which means you would have to add the weight of the engine(s) too. For safety you should add a 10% safety margin to your figure to get your total potential tow weight.
My hitch is rated for 10k which is way more than i should ever tow so a 5k hitch is smallish. I would upgrade the hitch.
My boat is a 20' bay boat and only running around 5k lbs maxed out. I also have surge brakes. These are a separate closed hydraulic brake system for just the trailer. Most boats dont use electric brakes as it just not a good idea being as the brakes get submerged at every launch. There is a sliding collar on your trailer that slides forward as your tow vehicle slows down and the trailer pushes forward against your truck. when it slides forward is activates the trailer brakes creating extra braking power for you. works okay but not near as nice and linear as electric brakes with controller ( not an option for a boat owner).
As for the weight on back end of truck I am looking for a set of helper/lift springs to help level the look of my truck and the prevent so much sag when towing. So for your heavier boat I would say helper springs are a must but I would probably opt for bags for more adjustability.
hope this helps you some.

 

[Done Deal DR]

what is the full weight of the boat? Assume boat dry weight+ full fuel tank+trailer+gear. Also pay attention to where you are getting the dry weight of the boat as most manufacturers are posting dry hull weight which means you would have to add the weight of the engine(s) too. For safety you should add a 10% safety margin to your figure to get your total potential tow weight.
My hitch is rated for 10k which is way more than i should ever tow so a 5k hitch is smallish. I would upgrade the hitch.
My boat is a 20' bay boat and only running around 5k lbs maxed out. I also have surge brakes. These are a separate closed hydraulic brake system for just the trailer. Most boats dont use electric brakes as it just not a good idea being as the brakes get submerged at every launch. There is a sliding collar on your trailer that slides forward as your tow vehicle slows down and the trailer pushes forward against your truck. when it slides forward is activates the trailer brakes creating extra braking power for you. works okay but not near as nice and linear as electric brakes with controller ( not an option for a boat owner).
As for the weight on back end of truck I am looking for a set of helper/lift springs to help level the look of my truck and the prevent so much sag when towing. So for your heavier boat I would say helper springs are a must but I would probably opt for bags for more adjustability.
hope this helps you some.

I agree with this, and good info regarding the electric brake.

 

[longstand]

iam in a proccess of welding/installing a Helper Spring. i also install a new Shocks with Spring made for towing.. so both of them will be great on towing my boat..


I had a plan of changing my oil and adding a Oil Cooler

Transmission coolor.. hmm i check on that

 

[FunFordCobra]

I've been pulling my 20.5 moomba and a 21.5 mastercraft boats for almost 10 years no problem. They are both on single axle trailers with onlt surge breaks. I've also pulled many 24 ft boats across the states and had no problems. All stock suspension except lowering kit.

 

[longstand]

I've been pulling my 20.5 moomba and a 21.5 mastercraft boats for almost 10 years no problem. They are both on single axle trailers with onlt surge breaks. I've also pulled many 24 ft boats across the states and had no problems. All stock suspension except lowering kit.

24' or not.. is the size of the boat. is the weight of the boat. my boat is 4500 dry, and add the 1500 trailer thats almost maxing it out. lol..

the only thing that is good of pulling a boat in San Diego . is everything is FLAT road..

only problem is parking it on my drive-way. i live up a hill. and i have to back that boat up-HILL into my driveway.. argg..

i think i will install a transsmision coolor before i even pull the boat..

i remember using a new V8 5.7/5.8 Toyota tundra and i was backing-up HIll with the boat and the transmission Ligth turn on because it was getting hot.. imaging my older Denali. darn. so just to be in a safe side. i will install a COOLOR for the tranny and a FAN for it too.

 

[TahoeJim]

i remember using a new V8 5.7/5.8 Toyota tundra and i was backing-up HIll with the boat and the transmission Ligth turn on because it was getting hot.. imaging my older Denali. darn. so just to be in a safe side. i will install a COOLOR for the tranny and a FAN for it too.

And that Tundra has a lot more hp and torque than the old trucks we're driving. You're going to be beating on that Denali trying to tow 7,000 pounds on flat ground from each dead start, much less trying to back up a hill.

 

[TahoeJim]

In case anyone is interested in the "official" maximum trailer weights ratings from GM for OBS trucks (out of my 1999 owners manual):

4WD Tahoe with 3.42 gears, 5500 pounds
4WD Tahoe with 3.73 gears, 6500 pounds

2WD Tahoe with 3.08 gears, 5000 pounds
2WD Tahoe with 3.42 gears, 6000 pounds
2WD Tahoe with 3.73 gears, 7000 pounds

That's based on a driver and one passenger, no extra gear or people in the tow vehicle. Add anything more, subtract that weight.

If you have tires that are larger than stock for overall diameter, you're losing tow capacity as you're effectively giving your truck a lower numerical gear ratio.

P245/75-16's are what came standard on my Tahoe with 3.42 gears. Those tires are nominally 30.5" tall. I'm now running P265/70-17's which are 1.25" taller, so my effective gearing is probably closer to 3.08...my towing capacity is probably down around 4500 pounds.

 

[longstand]

In case anyone is interested in the "official" maximum trailer weights ratings from GM for OBS trucks (out of my 1999 owners manual):

4WD Tahoe with 3.42 gears, 5500 pounds
4WD Tahoe with 3.73 gears, 6500 pounds

2WD Tahoe with 3.08 gears, 5000 pounds
2WD Tahoe with 3.42 gears, 6000 pounds
2WD Tahoe with 3.73 gears, 7000 pounds

That's based on a driver and one passenger, no extra gear or people in the tow vehicle. Add anything more, subtract that weight.

If you have tires that are larger than stock for overall diameter, you're losing tow capacity as you're effectively giving your truck a lower numerical gear ratio.

P245/75-16's are what came standard on my Tahoe with 3.42 gears. Those tires are nominally 30.5" tall. I'm now running P265/70-17's which are 1.25" taller, so my effective gearing is probably closer to 3.08...my towing capacity is probably down around 4500 pounds.

Well if i have a 24" rims with 295/ Tires. which put me to "cant TOWN a BOAT" category.. this is F U C $ ing GAY"

Do i need to buy another truck just to pull this damm boat. argg.