Calculating 2003 Yukon SLT tow capacity

[campadk]

uugh!!!!!

Ok retyping all this stuff again after my first posting failed

Anyways I am absolutely frustrated trying to gather correct info to check out my towing calculations. Its been like pulling teeth trying to gather usable info and decipher variations in definations and acyonms and calculations... and I've been at this for more hours (days) than I wish to admit... help!!!

Here is what I have been able to collect:

Tow vehicle is a 2003 Yukon SLT, 5.3L V8. 3.73 axel
wheelbase is 116", 285HP, 326lb torque
gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 3,084 (8000 lbs),
curb weight (kg) 2,291, (5050lbs)
gross trailer weight braked (kg) 2,903 (6400 lbs)
max legal load (kg) 733 (1616 lbs)
standard towing: 6400lbs
max towing: 7400 lbs
standard payload: 1531 lbs


Trailer is a 75th anniversary Bambi 19ft (07)
Bambi weights 3681lbs according to sales order, window awning is 65lbs
(does the 3681 include that or the standard included spare?)
airstream site says it has a UBW??? of 3625 lbs, GVWR of 4500 lbs
airstream site says NCC w/o options fluids or cargo of 875lbs (NCC???)

don't know if the above figures include the 61lb spare

Mating the Yukon and Bambi with a 600lb Equalizer. (guessing tongue weight will be about 650lbs??)

So I am totally confused and haven't been able to simplying this to see where I end up as far as % of tv rated towing capacity. Can anyone help out my weiry head?

Thanks

"Brain dead Dave"

[wahoonc]

Dave,
you appear to be within manufacturers ratings. BUT if you load up your Yukon with a two week supply of beer you might be overweight

What I use as a rule of thumb, is 75-80% of "rated" towing capacity vs GVW of trailer. In your case 75% of 6400# is 4800#. The GVW of the Bambi is 4500# so you are good to go as long as you don't do a major overload of either the Yukon or the Bambi. You will definetly need the WDH with the shorter wheelbase of the Yukon.

Aaron

[CanoeStream]

Oh, am I glad I found this in-depth previous thread: http://www.airforums.com/forum...ali-20953.html

Figure maybe 12% of your 4500# GVWR to be your tongue weight -- say 540#. This is realistic due to the front loading of the weight distribution gear and LP in the tanks. The TV spec most easily surpassed will be the load capacity. Your 1531# standard payload minus this 540# gives you a fair margin for passenger, fuel, pets & other cargo in your tow vehicle.

I agree with Aaron.

[Steve Heywood]

No way does a 1500 Yukon have an 8,000 lb GVWR. More like 6800 lbs for a Yukon or 7200 lbs for a Yukon XL.

I used to own a 2003 Chevrolet Z71 Tahoe (4WD). My Tahoe weighed 5600 lbs wet but unloaded. It had a 6800 lb GVWR. When I added the tongue weight of the Airstream I wanted to buy (25" Safari), 2 adults, my 4 year old son, and 2 small dogs I was over the Tahoe's GVWR.

That said you'll be fine towing a 19' Bambi.

[campadk]

Its that standard towing vs max towing that is puzzling. Think I have seen about 8 different specs for max trailering on that Yukon. Do you use standard (6400lbs)or max towing (7400lbs) as the basis?

I figured 300lbs in humans, maybe 150 in tv gear, optional 80lbs in bikes, 20lb bike rack.

In the Bambi, maybe 250lbs tops.. we are just 2 people after all, and the fridge won't fit THAT much beer wahoonc

I'm estimating the Bambi would definately be less than 4000 lbs loaded, even if we pick up rock souvenirs like 'Lucy'. So if I can tow 7,400 max and have 300+150+80+20lbs in the tv (total load of 550lbs) that leaves me with 6850lbs capacity.

So am I correct in that I am at 4000/6850 = 58% of max towing capacity? OR
4000/5850 = 68% of standard towing capacity.

If thats the case... I need a bigger fridge

[campadk]

Originally Posted by Steve Heywood

No way does a 1500 Yukon have an 8,000 lb GVWR. More like 6800 lbs for a Yukon or 7200 lbs for a Yukon XL.

I used to own a 2003 Chevrolet Z71 Tahoe (4WD). My Tahoe weighed 5600 lbs wet but unloaded. It had a 6800 lb GVWR. When I added the tongue weight of the Airstream I wanted to buy (25" Safari), 2 adults, my 4 year old son, and 2 small dogs I was over the Tahoe's GVWR.

That said you'll be fine towing a 19' Bambi.

I checked. I think I must have converted Kg to LB wrong. Looks like 6900lb GVWR is correct. Wasn't able to figure out GCWR though... is that simply 6900lb GVWR plus the max towing of 7400 lbs = 14,300lbs???

[wahoonc]

I think a couple of numbers are getting confused here. The two main numbers you need to concentrate on are GVW of your Yukon and COMBINED GVW which is the maximum that your Yukon and Bambi together can weigh. The tongue weight of the Bambi (typically 10-12% of the weight) will need to be added to the GVW of the Yukon, plus what ever load you add to the interior of the Yukon. I would load the Yukon like you are leaving on a trip and head for the nearest scales and get a real world number to work with. FWIW I had been estimating my F350 at 6600#, I finally got it on a scales and it was at a bit over 7200# not a great difference on that particular truck, but enough to make me pay attention. I suspect your GCWR is probably around 10,000#? My dually is rated to 20k FWIW (but it can handle more than that ) For some unknown reason the manufacturers like to hide the GCVW, it should be in the owner's manual. If not contact Chevy with the VIN and they will provide you with the information.

Aaron

[Steve Heywood]

Originally Posted by campadk

I checked. I think I must have converted Kg to LB wrong. Looks like 6900lb GVWR is correct. Wasn't able to figure out GCWR though... is that simply 6900lb GVWR plus the max towing of 7400 lbs = 14,300lbs???

If memory serves me correctly my Tahoe had a GCWR of 13,000 lbs with the 3.73 gears. Goes up to 14,000 lbs with 4,10s.

[2airishuman]

hi campadk...

kudos for trying to sort this out...

usually when the gcwr isn't easy to find,
it is suggested that the manufacturer is hiding things....
gmc was pretty confusing with towing specs for 2000-2005 on these yukons...

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ght-17285.html


here is another thread that helps you,
even though it's a bigger trailer.

because the yukon is so heavy, the hauling and towing is somewha anemic for the little v8....
and it's transmission.

some of the gmc guides confuse things furhter by listing gcwr incorrectly as gvwr...
at least you've got these 2 limits straight.

trailer life does a good job of listing tow specs that are provided by makes...
here is the 03 guide...

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads...ukon%20gcwr%22

still doesn't have gcwr for your tv

this info should be in the owners manual...have you looked there?

cheers
2air'

[scottanlily]

campadk,

I believe you can tow the bambi ,no problem ,need the WD hitch for sure .
The important figure you need to know is the towing capacity for your
Yukon .I see that the emphasis here is about what the yukon weighs itself,
and the trailer also.I think there are too many thousands of pounds of numbers being hashed out. the weight of the loaded to go trailer needs to be
addressed first,what will it weigh? Then how much weight will be put in the Yukon ,so if the Yukon weighs 5000#s ,add the people and gear to go ,Now
what does the yukon weigh? Now ,does the the Yukons towing rated
capacity allow it to pull the loaded trailer to go ?does the Yukons added gear
allow the rated towing to be exceeded? unless its 500# more I doubt it.
I can see wanting to know possibly the combined weight and all ,but as seen
here it totally is confusing.The tow capacity as listed by GM ,what is it really
I doubt its 8000#s thats 4 tons of weight ,like pulling to 4000 pound cars
behind you .The gvwr (gross vehical weight rating ) of the truck is different than the tow rating ,not the same thing,its not what the truck weighs its
what it can tow.What is it rated to tow ,having people and some gear in the Yukon will not overload its GVWR ,but if you had the yukon loaded with 500#
of gear or more ,the vehical needs to move that weight also.That 500# then
needs to be added to the tow rating amount of the truck .so others have said it ,weigh everything when loaded as you see fit ,then if the trailers is
say 6500 # and the Yukon has 500# in it extra ,then you can go and reduce the weight as needed to get the weight right ,both the trailer and the Yukon unloaded ,Id would say it can pull it fine ,the 4:10 gears are the better choice if available .

Scott

[campadk]

I must have seen a 2004 version of the Trailer Life guide or something.. Anyways it shows 7,700 lbs. Thats probably without the 3rd row seat (7,600lb with it). The one we are looking to buy has no 3rd row so 7,700 sounds right. I notice the ratings include the weight of the driver.

scottanlily.. I will definately do some weigh ins once we have everything together, but considering there are just two of us, we camp a lot but don't bring a ton of stuff I figure 100lbs for bike rack and 2 bikes, 135lb wife, certainly no more than 200lbs of gear... so read yto go vehicle towing capacity is now:

100lb bikes + 135lb wife + 200lbs = 435lbs of load in the tv.

Bambi = 3681 + 60lbs of LP + 300 lbs of clothing/food/gear tops
(I take it since the 75th comes with a spare that is already included in the 3681)
So loaded to go Bambi comes in at 4,040lbs

%of towing capacity = (4040lb loaded trailer + 435lbs extra in the tv) / 7700lb towing capacity = 58%... so me thinks.

I'll be sure to hit the scales and post the results later.

Should be writing a cheque for the Yukon on Tuesday morning if all goes well. Bambi is still 3 weeks away. Might be in production at Jackson this week!

[skykingpilot]

I believe the single most significant issue in Tow Vehicle issue is the management of expectation! I have seen tow vehicles abused by owners trying to pull a trailer as though they were not! The real issue is to consider how the vehicle will impact your sense of joy or frustration on your next trip -- and then buy accordingly. The truck you are considering has plenty of power for the mission, but like any 19' trailer, you are going to know you have a trailer behind you! The 410 rear end will give you much better power for a hill climb, but you aill certainly pay for that in milage on your day to day driving.

If you are willing to take it easy and not get frustrated by reduced speeds on hills, the 373 in that vehicle is going to be fine, and give you better fuel economy when not in tow. I have a F350 with a deisel and I still feel the trailer (19' Bmabi) but the truck doesn't labor as hard as a smaller unit. If your not happy with modest power... get more truck and be ready to pay for the other 50 weeks of the year. Otherwise the Yukon with the 373 should be a great vehicle. I had that same truck prior to this one and it was terrific. You have enough pulling capacity for your trailer, just be realistic about your expectations out on the road and your enjoyment factor will increase accordingly!

[campadk]

Thanks skykingpilot.

Reality is most of our towing will be mainly on flats, some hills, the odd mountain in upstate NY... not talking anything like major trips to the west (Colorado) and such. Most drives are 3-4 hours from home (Ontario, New York, Vermont) and we are towing on maybe 6-8 trips a year. So I was happy just to find out the Yukons came standard with 3.73. Every other used vehicle choice in that range including Tahoe/Durango and 'gulp' Envoys all had 3.42.

So the 3.73 and shorter wheelbase was a good compromise for everyday driving.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by campadk

I take it since the 75th comes with a spare that is already included in the 3681

don't assume this.

the quick silver models...all 50 of them carried the same option package. dispite this the factory web site weight listings did NOT include the q/s gear.

i'd call j/c and ask someone who knows what the winich model actually weights...spare tire and so on.

also i'll be in j/c soon...when is your unit scheduled to build?

cheers
2air'

[campadk]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

don't assume this.

the quick silver models...all 50 of them carried the same option package. dispite this the factory web site weight listings did NOT include the q/s gear.

i'd call j/c and ask someone who knows what the winich model actually weights...spare tire and so on.

also i'll be in j/c soon...when is your unit scheduled to build?

cheers
2air'

Our Bambi should be built any time 2air. Could well be this week. Unfortunately my dealer isn't much on keeping us up todate on its status.
We are supposed to have in 'third week in September'... we shall see.

[campadk]

So we finally have our new tv! We had the original 16" wheels and tires installed before we picked it up. Unfortunately the day we signed we found out our Bambi has been delayed a month so we won't even be able to use it till next spring.... uggh!!!!

Maden voyage for the Yukon was a campout last weekend with our teardrop. Can't even see it in the side mirrors

[2airishuman]

ok dave...

you answered my question from the other thread..
the yukon looks to be in great shape...
wise you were to go with the stock wheels...
and changing 'em at home in the driveway is a pia..

but what is that thing behind it?
living in the midwest....
that looks like a bbq/meat smoker...
have you been tailgate'n at football games?

happy camping
2air'

[campadk]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

ok dave...

you answered my question from the other thread..
the yukon looks to be in great shape...
wise you were to go with the stock wheels...
and changing 'em at home in the driveway is a pia..

but what is that thing behind it?
living in the midwest....
that looks like a bbq/meat smoker...
have you been tailgate'n at football games?

happy camping
2air'

Ha ha! Thats my mini Airstream!! Just a tad on the 'smaller' side than a Bambi. Couldn't see the teardrop it in the mirrors, couldn't tell it was hooked up either to the Yukon. It's one fun camper thats for sure... teardrops and airstreams... thats the life...

[scottanlily]

Hello Dave ,now that tv looks good ,i think you made a good choice there.
at least that teardrop is silver and aluminum ,getting close!


scott