Towing, VIN decoding, etc

[Gigantapithicus]

Did a quick scan and looked for a sticky, didn't see anything so I'll try my first post.

Shopping for an 09-13 Yukon, Tahoe, Denali, Suburban. Going for the 1500 size but want max towing capacity. Have been running VIN's for the vehicles I'm interested in but there's so many options I think are missing, or aren't missing, etc. It's really quite unclear and the dealers certainly aren't much help. They just tell you it'll tow whatever you want because it's so big and tough.

I think the max is about 7,900 - 8,200.

Does anyone know what I should be looking for?

Here's a few VIN's I've tried.

1gkfk16399j113596

1GNSKJE78CR120408

Thanks!

 

[Badmunky]

You are looking for the 3:42 gears, and the HD tow option with trans cooler.

But really you just want the gears.

You can add the trans cooler later, the stock one is to small any way.

 

[doubletapdrew]

Both of those have 3.42 gears, the second one also has the HD cooling system, oil & tranny coolers, and JL1 (trailer brake controller)

 

[Gigantapithicus]

Both of those have 3.42 gears, the second one also has the HD cooling system, oil & tranny coolers, and JL1 (trailer brake controller)

Awesome, it's also the Z71. Thinking about taking it, 90,000 km's, about $30,000 CDN.

What can I tow with this?

Getting excited

 

[livingez_123]

3.42's for towing? 3.73's are way better for towing.

 

[Gigantapithicus]

3.42's for towing? 3.73's are way better for towing.
My Denali is rated for a max of an 8,400 lb trailer. I tow between 9,000-9,500lbs about 1k of it is tongue weight. and with a good WD hitch and air bags in the rear I have no squat in the rear.
I also recommend not towing more than the owners manual says, if there is an accident, and you are found at fault and your overweight, lets just say I wouldn't want to be you.

I know what your going to say, just save your breath.

Actually you don't know what I'm going to say. So maybe save the condescending comments for the next person's mind you're reading. Especially given that you've actually said you tow more than your Denali is rated for

Also it's really not helpful starting off with "3.42's for towing, 3.73's would be better". Thanks for the obvious. Why not just tell me a GMC 3500 would be better. Or maybe suggest a tow truck.

Anyway, for those who don't want to be condescending, didn't realize they offered 3.73's, previously had an expedition, it had the 3.43's but no HD towing components (oil cooler, tranny cooler, bigger rad) so I shopped for a better one and found the better tow equipped ones came with 3.73 and all the extra components.

When comparative shopping on the Suburban / Tahoe / Yukon and found they start with 3.02's and most of the tow package equipped ones with the KL5, HD trailering equipment etc had 3.42's. I never once saw any of them with the 3.73's so I assumed Chev's 3.42 upgrade would have been similar to a ford 3.73.

Thoughts?

 

[doubletapdrew]

3.42's for towing? 3.73's are way better for towing.

That was true when they had 4-speed transmissions. In 2007+ they got the 6-speed and your options are 3.08 or 3.42. 3.42 is all you can get in the denali.