Towing Capacities and Gear Ratios

[ejschultz]

I have to keep in mind that my primary tow vehicle is a 2019 3/4 ton crew cab Chevy with a 6.0. I’ll be sparingly towing with the Tahoe/Yukon/what have you.

 

[swathdiver]

Would a Suburban be sufficient or are they mostly 5.3 equipped?

2009 was the last year for the 6.0 and then there are 6.2s. In 2010, GMC made at least 33 4WD and 1 RWD Yukon XL SLTs with the 6.2. These are not RWD Denalis. The longer wheel base tows smoother but plenty of guys tow 5500 pounds and more even with older GMT800 Tahoes and Yukons just fine. With your 3/4-ton truck, you can tow at 80 mph probably all day long, with the Tahoe, you just have to slow down.

 

[ejschultz]

My 3/4 ton doesn’t even notice the trailer if I empty the back of the truck (I use the truck for work and will sometimes leave all of my equipment in it which weighs roughly 700 pounds total). I’ve hauled 12k pound trailers from Chicago to St. Louis a couple times with the 3/4 ton. It does notice that much weight. I wouldn’t dare do that with a Tahoe. I might try it with a 3/4 ton Suburban though. That’s probably near it’s upper limit.

I’m thinking with a properly spec’d weight distributing hitch, helper bags, and strategically loading the camper, a Tahoe might do it for shorter, flat trips.

 

[swathdiver]

My 3/4 ton doesn’t even notice the trailer if I empty the back of the truck (I use the truck for work and will sometimes leave all of my equipment in it which weighs roughly 700 pounds total). I’ve hauled 12k pound trailers from Chicago to St. Louis a couple times with the 3/4 ton. It does notice that much weight. I wouldn’t dare do that with a Tahoe. I might try it with a 3/4 ton Suburban though. That’s probably near it’s upper limit.

I’m thinking with a properly spec’d weight distributing hitch, helper bags, and strategically loading the camper, a Tahoe might do it for shorter, flat trips.

It will, handily.

 

[ejschultz]

How do I go about distinguishing what a Denali can haul?

 

[97audia4]

So after this weekend I can shed some light on rpm and towing and what to expect depending on what trailer you have.

2009 Yukon Denali with 3.08 gears.

Enclosed 7x16 extra 12 inches of height dual axle trailer weighing 5k

Through the NY hills and up 81 in northern pa long uphill stretches almost all 250 miles I was in 3rd gear manual mode at 4k rpm.

I have long tube headers, air raid tube and a tune. I managed to get 10mpg over the 500 mile trip up and back.

 

[swathdiver]

How do I go about distinguishing what a Denali can haul?

Not sure if that's all of them but it's a start:

 

[swathdiver]

2009 RWD Denali = 8500
2010-2014 RWD Denali = 8300

2009-2010 RWD XL Denali = 7600
2011-2013 RWD XL Denali = 7900

2007 AWD Denali = 7400
2008 AWD Denali = 7900
2009-2014 AWD Denali = 8100

2007 AWD XL Denali = 7700
2008-2010 AWD XL Denali = 7900
2011-2014 AWD XL Denali = 7800

 

[thompsoj22]

So after this weekend I can shed some light on rpm and towing and what to expect depending on what trailer you have.

2009 Yukon Denali with 3.08 gears.

Enclosed 7x16 extra 12 inches of height dual axle trailer weighing 5k

Through the NY hills and up 81 in northern pa long uphill stretches almost all 250 miles I was in 3rd gear manual mode at 4k rpm.

I have long tube headers, air raid tube and a tune. I managed to get 10mpg over the 500 mile trip up and back.

YIKES! We traded our 03 tahoe in on the 08 denali xl for that specific reason. How long can an engine/trans maintaine 4k rpm without blowing up? Our travel trailer weighs approx 4200 loaded and the tahoe with the 4L60 4.8 just could not do it. No offense to those who tow at that rpm, The LS is an amazing engine from a durability standpoint. The 6.2 tows on the flats in 5th at 2300 rpm and climbs hills at 2800 rpm in 4th, Avg 8 to 10 mpg. I am so much more relaxed behind the wheel now.

 

[97audia4]

YIKES! We traded our 03 tahoe in on the 08 denali xl for that specific reason. How long can an engine/trans maintaine 4k rpm without blowing up? Our travel trailer weighs approx 4200 loaded and the tahoe with the 4L60 4.8 just could not do it. No offense to those who tow at that rpm, The LS is an amazing engine from a durability standpoint. The 6.2 tows on the flats in 5th at 2300 rpm and climbs hills at 2800 rpm in 4th, Avg 8 to 10 mpg. I am so much more relaxed behind the wheel now.

Super steed grades put a really big load on the engine towing in 4th, towed just fine at 4k the entire trip . No issues at all and trans temp never went above 175 in 95 degree temps.