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04-02-2011, 03:40 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Pittsford
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 81
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2011 Yukon Denali with 6.2L V8/3.42 axle
Hi - I have a 28' International Airstream trailer that weighs 7300 pounds. Have been using a large pickup to tow though looking at moving to large SUV for more comfort/seating room, etc. I really like a 2011 Denali (regular not XL) with AWD, the 6.2L V8, 3.42 axle, integrated trailer brake controller, etc. Specs say it can tow 8,100 pounds though looking for feedback/advice on using the Denali to tow a 7,300 pound trailer. We live in the east - mostly flat - but do take long trips that have some moderate uphill climbs. I did a serach of the forums and found some info though not much on the newer Yukons. Also, if I go with the Yukon, any advice/experience towing using FlexFuel in the tank? Thanks.
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04-02-2011, 04:48 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 16' International CCD
Vintage Kin Owner
Somewhere
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,550
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I will let others with more experience reply to the weight question, but as an owner of a Yukon XL I would definitely recommend the long wheelbase version for towing stability and suggest you consider a lower (i.e. higher number) rear axle ratio.
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04-02-2011, 05:55 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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I just completed a 2000 mile trip from Chicago to SC coast in a 2011 Yukon XL Denali, 6.2L, 3.42, 6 speed. My trailer weighs 8500# loaded. I had gear in the truck also. I'm guessing from prior weighs I was at 15,000 - 15,500 GCW.
It did a GREAT job. Very stable, never came off of cruise on I40 over the Smokeys. I drive about 63 mph when I tow. It handled the trip in 6th gear a lot of the time, downshifting to 5th on some overpass type hills, down to 4th in the foothills, and occasionally down to 3rd on the steepest mountain grades.
Mileage was 10MPG on the flats, 9 in the hills, and the tank which was the steepest parts, I got 8.5. Overall for the trip was about 9.5 mpg. Plenty of throttle left to accelerate past the trucks on the mountain roads.
You would have more than enough truck......however....wheelbase is your friend when towing. I would encourage you to think really hard about getting the XL.
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04-02-2011, 05:59 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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Flexfuel, if anything helps with towing power, as it is a higher octane fuel and the truck will adjust it's timing to suit the octane. HOWEVER, ethanol contains less heat energy (BTUs) than gasoline. Your mileage will drop 10 - 20%, depending on driving style, temp, etc. Mileage drop is consistent percentage from towing numbers as well as solo numbers. My rule is, if E85 costs 20% less than regular, I buy it.
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04-03-2011, 06:22 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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If you get a 2011, you'll get a six speed tranny. The 3.42 is FINE with that trans. For your load, (and even mine) a 3.73 is overkill. The six speed has lower 1st - 3rd gears for more trailering selectability. If you buy used, with a 4 speed, DEFINITELY ger a 3.73 rear end.
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04-06-2011, 03:55 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,621
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Agree; new 6 speed is great. Fuel sucks with ethanol...don't expect mileage over 10 MPG pulling,~ average.
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04-09-2011, 10:32 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2009 28' International
Pacific Palisades
, California
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 436
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Transmission heating challenges?
We've been towing our 28' 7300# GVW with a 2000 suburban 3/4 ton with the 6.0/3.73 and 4 spd. We've had transmission temp rise to 220, and seen in another posting that someone with a Yukon XL 6.2/3.42/6 spd has had similar problems.
Can anyone weigh in on that? And has anyone towed with an Expedition EL 5.4/3.73/6 spd? Someone has advised us that this is a step up from the Suburban 3/4 ton, which doesn't make a lot of intuitive sense.
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04-10-2011, 09:33 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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Hitting 220* on an occasional basis while on a steep pull isn't an issue with any automatic. Should drop down to 190 - 200 a little while after hard pull. Keep in mind, there is some lag time in temp rise and fall, as you are measuring sump temps, so all that volume and mass must cool to see gauge reading change back to normal. If you observe the gauge over an extended period of time, you'll find normal while towing with a descent load is a reading 90 - 100* over ambient air temp. Solo seems to be 70 - 90* over ambient. So, if you are in Death Valley and it's 120* outside, 220* on the flat run could be normal too.
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04-11-2011, 12:37 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2009 28' International
Pacific Palisades
, California
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 436
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Expedition EL towing 7000+ ?
Thanks for the transmission info. Has anybody had any experience towing 7000plus # with a later model Expedition EL with the 5.4 and 6 speed? The hp numbers are considerably lower than the 6.0 and 6.2l Chevy engines, although the torque (to rear wheels) is only 5% less.
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04-19-2011, 09:41 PM
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#10
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Denton
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
I just completed a 2000 mile trip from Chicago to SC coast in a 2011 Yukon XL Denali, 6.2L, 3.42, 6 speed. My trailer weighs 8500# loaded. I had gear in the truck also. I'm guessing from prior weighs I was at 15,000 - 15,500 GCW.
It did a GREAT job. Very stable, never came off of cruise on I40 over the Smokeys. I drive about 63 mph when I tow. It handled the trip in 6th gear a lot of the time, downshifting to 5th on some overpass type hills, down to 4th in the foothills, and occasionally down to 3rd on the steepest mountain grades.
Mileage was 10MPG on the flats, 9 in the hills, and the tank which was the steepest parts, I got 8.5. Overall for the trip was about 9.5 mpg. Plenty of throttle left to accelerate past the trucks on the mountain roads.
You would have more than enough truck......however....wheelbase is your friend when towing. I would encourage you to think really hard about getting the XL.
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Thanks for information dznf0g. What weight distributing hitch (wdh) did you use with the GMC Denali. I have Denali awaiting delivery of fc25fb around May 1. I am trying to narrow down which wdh to get. Looking at Equalizer w/4 pt friction control, Reese w/dual cam sway control, and Hensley (want to avoid spending $ on Hensley if others will work okay). Please advise. Thx BMay
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04-20-2011, 12:19 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2009 28' International
Pacific Palisades
, California
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 436
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EqualIzer
We've had great luck towing 7000 lb 28 ft Ocean Breeze with the Equalizer 4 point for 2 1/2 seasons behind a 3/24 ton Suburban. We've towed from LA to Texas twice, all over California (including the Sierra Nevada), and from CA to WA state. While you know when you're passing a big rig if there's a big speed difference, if the difference is slight, we don't even feel the big guy on the trailer. Our Airstream dealer talked us out of the Hensley for our Airstream--for our earlier Fleetwood, it would have been necessary for these long hauls. Their point was not only cost, but weight.
We've now done over 10,000 miles with the Equalizer with no problem. If you're concerned about $$ and weight, it's a good solution to avoiding the purchase of the Hensley.
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04-20-2011, 02:57 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2019 27' Tommy Bahama
London
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,343
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The standard length Yukon has a shorter wheelbase than the XL but also a shorter rear overhang. Handling is virtually identical with the two of them.
I would consdier the Expedition for the independent rear suspension. If it has the 20" rims it is considerably more stable with a smoother ride than the GM. You don't notice a huge difference on a solo test drive but towing it is supstantial. The 5.4 &
6 Speed has plenty of power for any Airstream.
Andrew T
__________________
Andrew Thomson London, Ontario
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions." Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot
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04-20-2011, 06:38 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 34' Classic
N Smithfield
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
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Yukon
Hello Andy.
Hope you and family is well. Would you consider towing a 34 ' classic with a Yukon Denali with a 6.0 L and 3.73 gear ratio using a Hensley?
Hope to see you down the road.
Best always,
Titu.
__________________
Titu & Gail
2005 34' Classic-Mercury (Goddess of Travel)
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD Diesel
BRN-2905
NEAC of Region 1
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04-20-2011, 08:31 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I've long thought a Suburban/Yukon XL would be my favorite tow vehicle, but now after buying an Airstream I'm rethinking that a bit. For carrying bikes, generators, and maybe a scooter, I can see a benefit in towing with a pickup. I had a generator built in on my last motorhome and I never used it except to start it to maintain it. Maybe I'm shadow boxing . . .
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04-20-2011, 04:04 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMay
Thanks for information dznf0g. What weight distributing hitch (wdh) did you use with the GMC Denali. I have Denali awaiting delivery of fc25fb around May 1. I am trying to narrow down which wdh to get. Looking at Equalizer w/4 pt friction control, Reese w/dual cam sway control, and Hensley (want to avoid spending $ on Hensley if others will work okay). Please advise. Thx BMay
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I used a Reese Dual cam setup with 800# bars on that trip. I have used Eq with 1000# bars in the past. Search for my comparison titled Equalizer vs. Reese dual cam road test
Make your own decision.....those are just my opinions on using both.
I can't seem to figger out how to link you straight to that thread???????
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04-20-2011, 04:11 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitrock
I've long thought a Suburban/Yukon XL would be my favorite tow vehicle, but now after buying an Airstream I'm rethinking that a bit. For carrying bikes, generators, and maybe a scooter, I can see a benefit in towing with a pickup. I had a generator built in on my last motorhome and I never used it except to start it to maintain it. Maybe I'm shadow boxing . . .
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I am beginning to think I am with you. AS I've posted before I am lucky to be able to use many different company provided TVs which allows me to really drill down what I will buy for my retirement TV. If I still had kids along for every trip, a Suburban/Yukon XL would be a no brainer.
BUT, I am at a stage of losing passengers and adding toys. Full size SUVs weigh a goodly amount more (taking away toybox capacity). I just received 125cc scooter from my Dad as he moved to an assisted living home. It won't fit inside an SUV and adds 205# to the toy collection.....looks like a full size PU...probably 3/4 ton, extended cab regular bed might be the way to go for me.
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