Towing with 2011 Yukon Denali

[RDEVans]

I can't remember what the 2nd wire if for, but I hooked up both for towing. My trailers always have their own battery and the brake controller mounted in/on the trailer. View attachment 371570
View attachment 371571

Thanks! A video I saw mentioned the 2nd wire, and to not connect until the wiring is done, otherwise may blow the fuse.

 

[swathdiver]

I can't remember what the 2nd wire if for... View attachment 371570

The left stud is for the aftermarket or factory trailer brake controller. The right stud is for the 12V feed to the trailer, I call it the "hotel" feed wire.

Thanks for the advice. What do your RPMs run at when you are in M5 at speed?

Stock size tires with 3.42 gears in 5th gear, 1917 rpms @ 60 mph, 2077 rpms @ 65 mph and 2236 rpms @ 70 mph.

Sorry, one more question. Trans temp should be running at about +100 over ambient air temp? I've heard that, just want to make sure the same with these rigs. Do the Denali's come with a trans cooler as well? Ok, thanks again!

My truck has the factory external transmission cooler. We experience about 60 degrees over ambient while at cruising speed, not going up a grade or towing heavy during that.

 

[Geotrash]

Dave, would it be worth a BlackBear tune of the transmission for such work? I would think so but don't tow as much as you guys.

Hard to say, James. I have a BB tune on both of mine but I don't think they changed the shift points, but rather firmed them up.

 

[swathdiver]

Hard to say, James. I have a BB tune on both of mine but I don't think they changed the shift points, but rather firmed them up.

I concur now that I think about it. I towed a 6,000 pound boat in town last month and did some cargo trailer towing a few years ago, 4-6K pounds mostly local, a little highway and never a problem. Course, the biggest "mountains" I saw were overpasses which didn't slow me down one iota.

 

[intheburbs]

Yes, tow in 5th to minimize gear hunting.

A Denali should have all the coolers.

Given the shorter wheelbase, and physics, you'll want to have some kind of anti-sway device.

 

[donjetman]

Sorry, one more question. Trans temp should be running at about +100 over ambient air temp? I've heard that, just want to make sure the same with these rigs. Do the Denali's come with a trans cooler as well? Ok, thanks again!

Mine has a small factory trans cooler and runs 90-100*f over ambient when cruising in the summertime on the hwy while NOT towing.

 

[RDEVans]

The left stud is for the aftermarket or factory trailer brake controller. The right stud is for the 12V feed to the trailer, I call it the "hotel" feed wire.



Stock size tires with 3.42 gears in 5th gear, 1917 rpms @ 60 mph, 2077 rpms @ 65 mph and 2236 rpms @ 70 mph.



My truck has the factory external transmission cooler. We experience about 60 degrees over ambient while at cruising speed, not going up a grade or towing heavy during that.

Thanks for the information! I'll keep an eye on the rpms and see what mine does. Real newbie question, what would the factory external transmission cooler look like? Attached to the radiator? Or would that be an engine cooler? Thanks!

 

[RDEVans]

Yes, tow in 5th to minimize gear hunting.

A Denali should have all the coolers.

Given the shorter wheelbase, and physics, you'll want to have some kind of anti-sway device.

Will do, towing in 5th. Glad to hear that the denali should have all the extra coolers. I wasn't sure since there was not a factory integrated trailer brake.

Also, have anti-sway bars on the weight distributing hitch.

 

[Geotrash]

Will do, towing in 5th. Glad to hear that the denali should have all the extra coolers. I wasn't sure since there was not a factory integrated trailer brake.

Also, have anti-sway bars on the weight distributing hitch.

You can tell by looking at the radiator. The transmission cooler will have 2 hard lines going into the plastic tank on the passenger side, and the engine oil cooler will have the same on the driver's side. I believe all 2010+ Denali's have both coolers. My 2012 does, but my 2007 does not have the engine oil cooler.

 

[Geotrash]

Sorry, one more question. Trans temp should be running at about +100 over ambient air temp? I've heard that, just want to make sure the same with these rigs. Do the Denali's come with a trans cooler as well? Ok, thanks again!

Sorry I missed this earlier. Around 1800 in 5th, and 2500 in 4th.