Start Towing with 114K miles on my Yukon?

[randyg]

Get Bilstein shocks... You will thank me later. AVOID RANCHO...they ride harsh

Thanks. Have spec'd out the 4600's. Making an appointment soon.

 

[randyg]

Hi Randy. I'm coming to this party a little late but I'm another happy camper with a 2011 4WD Suburban 1500 LTZ which I bought last year with 231,000 on the odometer and lots of maintenance records. My 17' Winnebago weighs in between 4000 and 4200 depending on the length of trip and my wife's packing, which is a bit lighter than your target but I can say I don't know it's back there unless I'm in a real crosswind. That said, I've put some serious effort into bulletproofing it, even with those receipts for history. As others have mentioned, that started with ditching the air shock system and installing Bilstein 5100s all around. I also replaced the 1000 lb rear springs with 1250 lb Moogs (pretty sure they are the Z-71 spec springs) and set the ride height in the front to match the increased height in the rear from the stiffer springs. It is a wife-approved upgrade and handles the trailer very well.

Up front, I replaced a leaking radiator with a 3" Cold Case aluminum radiator and upgraded the stock HD transmission oil cooler with a Tru-Cool 40k, which is a monster, and finally, a bigger battery when the one that came with the truck gave up the ghost. It goes without saying we changed out all the fluids - brake, oil, full transmission service, T-cases, and diffs. New plugs and wires. I'm running 32-ish inch tires on 18" wheels and am starting to wonder if maybe 3.73s might not be a good idea. I'm also going to keep an eye on my engine temps on a long trip this summer and if I don't like what I see I may switch out the Tru-Cool for a Derale with fans that can be located somewhere other than in front of the radiator. But I'm hoping the oversize two-row Cold Case keeps things under control. When I upgrade to lithium batteries in the trailer, I'll get a big Mechman 250 - 350 amp alternator, but that's a year or so down the road. There's a few other mods that pertain to not getting caught out in the wilderness without gas or air or such, but they don't impact towing ability (you can see them in my signature).

As far as a hitch system, our dealer installed a Husky WDH with 800-1200 lb bars that take care of both equalizing the ride height and controlling sway. I've used the Haul-Master system above - years ago my family pulled a 30 ft. Holiday Rambler with a 3/4 ton International Travelall all over the west - and that's all we had back in those days. My personal feeling is the new designs which incorporate anti-sway with the weight equalizing function are superior but they both work.

We're headed to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for three weeks this summer and hope to make a three+ week circle through Big Bend National Park, Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell in New Mexico, and back to Palo Duro Canyon from Chattanooga, hopefully as soon as this winter. We'll be packing 10 extra gallons of gas, 10 extra gallons of drinking water, plenty of tools, a big puncture repair kit for the tires and heading out without fear. No freeways at all - 2 lanes only. At 114K miles, yours is just getting broken in. Do the maintenance and the upgrades you think appropriate and go explore!

Bob

Great advice, thanks! Sounds like a monumental trip ahead. I am making note of the items you listed; I think I'll try towing as is (factory tow package) but it is time for new shocks. If towing isn't easy/satisfactory, I appreciate having the list of items that make yours work well! Adventures ahead!

 

[randyg]

Ok, I like the read and enjoy hearing stories of the adventure and convenience of exploring/traveling with an RV.But to say "I dont even know it's back there unless im in a real crosswind" Is maybe "stretching it" a little? I get it, You like your rig and have made some real improvments but i promise i know from experience that if you are climbing "any" hill in excess of 5% you are at 3500 rpm or above and if you let off you will find yourself in 2nd for the remainder of the climb. It is the reality of the 5.3 and 342.

I think that will be the hardest part for me. I'm not a fan of towing in the first place, and have a Winnebago Travato that I'm going to sell. It's been a dream adventure vehicle and fun to do lots of mods with it...but, new grand baby will soon be able to go with us on occasion, and my photography hobby will appreciate being able to unhook and go exploring with the 4WD Yukon...something we can't do now in the low clearance van. It's been great for "on-road" travel, but doesn't get me to the remote places I want to explore since moving to Utah.

 

[randyg]

HAUL-MASTER

Trailer Sway Control Kit

(253)
$29.99
Simple to install, An absolute must IMO. I could write paragraphs on the pro's and con's of RV'ing. You might as well buy your travel trailer and join the club!

We did buy it, arrives Friday! Now we're working on selling the Winnebago Travato to make room. I'm assuming this item is a stand alone thing? Hard to envision what it does. Thanks for the advice, I will check it out. Sure is priced right.

 

[avalonandl]

Randy- A properly set up WD hitch and a level attitude on your trailer will REALLY help.

Power is not the issue, stability and braking are...

 

[randyg]

Randy- A properly set up WD hitch and a level attitude on your trailer will REALLY help.

Power is not the issue, stability and braking are...

Thanks. I'm getting an Equalizer WD Hitch installed at the dealership. Reviews indicate it's a good way to go.

 

[thompsoj22]

We did buy it, arrives Friday! Now we're working on selling the Winnebago Travato to make room. I'm assuming this item is a stand alone thing? Hard to envision what it does. Thanks for the advice, I will check it out. Sure is priced right.

Simple install, IMO dont use the self tapping hardware provided. Buy bolts/ and nuts with a locking device incorporated, Home depot or any hardware store will have what you need. Also install the WD hitch and "lift brackets" first as the bracket's that mount to the trailer that attach the spring bars will somewhat determine where to mount the anti sway device. It isnt complicated and the anti sway device truly works fantastic. Also if you havent bought the trailer yet, i would "HIGHLY ENCOURAGE" you to buy the lightest TT your dollars can afford. Your tahoe will "effectively" tow approx 4000 lbs, Up hills, Into "all day" headwinds, Down long decents and not leave you physically exhausted from the stress of towing underpowered. If you exceed 6000lbs you are basically screwed in the 11 west. I know ill ruffle some feathers with that opinion but i mean no disrespect, The drive to get to your camping destination "must be enjoyable" and realizing that early on will make for better adventures.

 

[randyg]

simple install, IMO dont use the self tapping hardware provided. Buy bolts/ and nuts with a locking device incorporated, Home depot or any hardware store will have what you need. Also install the WD hitch and "lift brackets" first as the bracket's that mount to the trailer that attach the spring bars will somewhat determine where to mount the anti sway device. It isnt complicated and the anti sway device truly works fantastic.

Just saw a you tube video..yep, looks pretty straightforward. Thanks!

 

[Foggy]

With the Equalizer Brand hitch, you don't need the separate sway control
device.. It's built into the hitch head..
I went with the equalizer 2 years ago because the way my trailer is designed, I'd
have to take off the front tank cover every time to hitch and unhitch my weight
distribution bars / chains set up.
I'm really happy with it VS the WD hitch with the sway control

Just make sure you REALLY follow the directions on setting it up.
They have several videos to help on their website

 

[Geotrash]

Thanks. I'm getting an Equalizer WD Hitch installed at the dealership. Reviews indicate it's a good way to go.

Welcome to the family! You’re getting some great advice here from people used to towing with these trucks. The Equalizer is a great hitch.

All the same, I’ll just add one more option for a WDH setup. I have the Camco Recurve R3 and love it for towing our 6500 lb camper. It was inexpensive, easy to install, has the sway control integrated into the ball mount so I can make tight turns and back it up without removing the sway control, and it does a great job of both distributing weight and controlling sway. Most of all, I like that the weight bars don’t hang down, but rather run alongside the a-frame arms, making for more ground clearance and a cleaner profile.

I installed it when we bought our latest camper. Did the ball mount and initial assembly at home, and then installed the bar mounts and bars at the dealer when I picked up the camper. Took me a weekend of making adjustments to get it set up just right, but now it’s perfect.


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