Yukon Denali 6.2 towing Travel Trailer

[norcalboon]

Nice! How does your rig handle the trailer on long descents?

No problems, holds pretty steady, but can't say I've towed down anything that steep.

 

[intheburbs]

Regarding your 2500 burb, how has the tranny held up with your towing? Did you notice a difference in stability when descending steep grades? And lastly, how is the 6.0 for power on flat and low grade stretches?

Macro view first, regarding durability - I've owned this truck for almost 7 years, put 90k HARD miles on her, and have spent about $300 total in repairs - as in something broke and I had to fix it. Maintenance - fluid changes, plugs/wires, tires - not counted.

Transmission has held up fine. She's at 193k miles, all-original, and still shifts perfectly and smoothly. I do a full flush at the dealer (16 quarts) every 50k.

The 6-speed works well with the 6.0. Usually in 4th or 5th depending on trailer profile/weight and weather (headwinds, etc).

Big Rocky Mountain-type grades are fun, but never scary. I've gone through the Eisenhower Tunnel with it (11,000+ altitude) and Powder River Pass in Wyoming (9,666 feet). Descending is no problem, but you have to be strategic about using engine braking and the brakes.

Funny story - we were descending from Powder River Pass a few summers ago. GVW was about 16,400 lbs. It was hot and we had the A/C on. I was using maximum engine braking, as in spinning the engine at 5500-6000 RPM down long, steep grades. About halfway down, the A/C cuts out. I thought maybe the computer was disabling the compressor to keep it from spinning too fast. But when we hit areas where I could actually upshift and drop the revs, it still wouldn't blow cold. Crap, overspun the compressor and killed it.

We get to the bottom and I pull off and pop the hood. I look down, and I see the A/C belt dangling (intact) from the crank pulley. I'd spun the engine so fast that the A/C belt had just enough stretch to walk off the compressor pulley. We were just at the beginning of our trip and didn't want to be without A/C for 2 more weeks. Went to the auto parts store and bought a new one, and found a local mechanic to install it. Wanted to only charge me $50, but I know what a ***** that belt can be so I threw the guy $100. I'm sure he burned himself on the lower radiator hose.

 

[97audia4]

Ill be adding a weight distribution hitch now that I have added all the shelving.

I bet it looks something like this:

View attachment 239687

 

[optimusprime]

Thanks for all the super helpful info everyone. For those of you who tow with the Denali, how stable do you feel when descending long grades and when being passed by larger vehicles? Big wind gusts?


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[Rex Ammerman]

I have used my 2009 and 2011 Denali's to pull several trailers. The biggest weights in around 8800 Lbs with one of our show cars loaded. That trailer is 24' x 8' and it pulls like a dream. Best tow vehicle I have ever owned. My 2009 has 209000 miles and still will pull your house down. Also with the magnetic air ride they all have, I have never used any kind of equalizer bars or systems

 

[Charles Land]

We tow a 26 ft Jayco. 6500 gross, 4500 dry with a 2011 Denali xl with 180k miles. Have taken some trips of a couple thousand miles including the Rockies. It tows decently well. We like to cruise at 55 mph when we have a headwind. 65 with a tailwind. We get 8 to 9 mpg towing. Have had one tranny overhaul at 140k. The coolant temp is hotter than I would like in warmer weather.

 

[MT Elk Hunter]

The 6.2 is a great motor. What will drive you crazy towing any kind of weight is the transmission. It will be downshifting constantly and the motor will wind up pretty high on long hills.

I have a 2017 Denali XL and easily tow and stop my 28' Cargo Mate race trailer (4,500 lbs) which holds a 3,000 lb race car, 800 lb golf cart, tools, and crew of three - 11,000 lbs. total. Previous to that I had a 2007 Denali which towed it with some effort, especially on off-ramp braking. Both rigs utilized weight distribution bars and 2500 series tow mirrors.

 

[optimusprime]

I have a 2017 Denali XL and easily tow and stop my 28' Cargo Mate race trailer (4,500 lbs) which holds a 3,000 lb race car, 800 lb golf cart, tools, and crew of three - 11,000 lbs. total. Previous to that I had a 2007 Denali which towed it with some effort, especially on off-ramp braking. Both rigs utilized weight distribution bars and 2500 series tow mirrors.

View attachment 239904

Wow. I can’t see how you’re not way overloaded, legally speaking.


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[swathdiver]

Wow. I can’t see how you’re not way overloaded, legally speaking.

You just register the truck for the proper weight class, pay the man the fee and bingo!, you're legal!

 

[jamoody]

Something I didn't see in this thread is to upgrade to an external transmission cooler if your Yukon doesn't have one. The engine is a workhorse and will handle 4000 RPM all day long but generally when towing the transmission will run at a lower numbered gear which will drive up the transmission temperature, especially on hills. You want to keep the transmission temperature around 200F.

A weight distribution hitch is a must.