Tow Vehicle - newbie

[SMWASONMYMD]

We are seriously considering buying a 2017 Classic J - GVWR 10000 - we, however, want a TV that can seat 6 - 4 adults and our two labs. Is it reasonable to think that we cd get a Yukon 2500 (used or new - retrofitted with a Duramax diesel) and it will be enough to tow all this - or is (1) the length of the cab going to be a problem in towing or (2) the weight of the passengers etc a problem?

[SCOTTinNJ]

Check the payload sticker on the driver's door jamb. Then add at least 1000 lb tongue weight in addition to passenger/cargo weight.

That'd be a start.

[SMWASONMYMD]

Thanks - and btw - if this makes any difference- I am going to get either a Hensley or Propride hitch.

[PaulnGina]

You are on the right track with the idea of a 2500 Duramax. As mentioned, figure out your expected weights and go from there.


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

Blessed and highly favored

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by SMWASONMYMD

Thanks - and btw - if this makes any difference- I am going to get either a Hensley or Propride hitch.

You'll get differing opinions on whether the added weight of the hitch is considered tongue weight or not.

I'll just say that it's an undisputed fact that those hitches are significantly heavier than a standard Equalizer type hitch. That weight has to be accounted for somewhere.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

You'll get differing opinions on whether the added weight of the hitch is considered tongue weight or not.

I'll just say that it's an undisputed fact that those hitches are significantly heavier than a standard Equalizer type hitch. That weight has to be accounted for somewhere.

In my opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid for it, the differing opinions are due to imprecise definitions. Tongue weight is a parameter of the trailer. The actual tongue weight is applied to the WD hitch and the hitch has a spec for that. With WD not engaged, the tongue weight of the trailer and the weight of the hitch are applied to the ball. This weight should be compared to the tongue weight spec for the receiver. Most receivers have two tongue weight specs, one for pull and one for WD. The simplest way to determine compliance with the hitch receiver specs is to weigh the tow vehicle without the hitch or trailer, and then weigh the tow vehicle with the trailer hooked up and WD engaged. The difference in the two weights, assuming nothing else has changed (passengers, cargo, fuel level, etc.) is the weight applied to the receiver and should be less than the tongue weight spec for the hitch.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

Al

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

In my opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid for it, the differing opinions are due to imprecise definitions. Tongue weight is a parameter of the trailer. The actual tongue weight is applied to the WD hitch and the hitch has a spec for that. With WD not engaged, the tongue weight of the trailer and the weight of the hitch are applied to the ball. This weight should be compared to the tongue weight spec for the receiver. Most receivers have two tongue weight specs, one for pull and one for WD. The simplest way to determine compliance with the hitch receiver specs is to weigh the tow vehicle without the hitch or trailer, and then weigh the tow vehicle with the trailer hooked up and WD engaged. The difference in the two weights, assuming nothing else has changed (passengers, cargo, fuel level, etc.) is the weight applied to the receiver and should be less than the tongue weight spec for the hitch.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

Al

Al said it exactly how I would have said it if I could have figured out how to say it! 😀👍👌


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

Blessed and highly favored

[m.hony]

How do 4 adults and 2 labs sleep in a Classic?
How much is a Duraburb?

[SMWASONMYMD]

Another newbie question - what is WD?

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by SMWASONMYMD

Another newbie question - what is WD?

Weight Distribution.

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by SMWASONMYMD

We are seriously considering buying a 2017 Classic J - GVWR 10000 - we, however, want a TV that can seat 6 - 4 adults and our two labs. Is it reasonable to think that we cd get a Yukon 2500 (used or new - retrofitted with a Duramax diesel) and it will be enough to tow all this - or is (1) the length of the cab going to be a problem in towing or (2) the weight of the passengers etc a problem?

___________________
We had an old 2500 4x4 GMC Suburban with the 7.4 L gas engine that towed well but they don't make it any more. All of the new Yukon/Suburban XL are half ton. The new gas 6.2 engine could probably tow the Airstream, and fit everyone in, but the cargo weight capacity is probably way short if you load gear behind the rear seats.

I don't think you can retrofit economically a Yukon XL with a Duramax/Allison combination as that puts great weight on the front axle, and you would wind up rebuilding at considerable expense, with new front and rear axles as well as the engine transmission combination, and all the computer electronics etc. Just forget about that idea. It would also void the warranty and might not be able to be certified in many states.

We went with a five passenger 2016 GMC Sierra SLT 2500 HD 4x4 CrewCab with a 6.5 box and a Leer custom topper wired so lock/unlock does the shell as well. We can get two very comfortably in the front buckets, and the rear seats, which fold, seat three and are very comfortable. If you have to have seating for six you could special order such a unit with a front bench seat that seats three, though not in luxury. How big are the 4 people? If two are small it might work.
+David

[m.hony]

I've often wondered why the key fob lock and unlock doesn't do the tailgate too...


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[ericpeltier]

Related - GAAAAWD I want a full size non-german SUV with a honkin'-big diesel in it. The new Ford Superduty with 920ftlb of torque is making me insane.

OK, I'm done whining.

It's true, the tongue weight of a trailer that size will use up heaps of available payload.

[flycastr]

I almost totally agree with dcasr, except my suggestion would be the new 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty crew cab with the 6.7L PowerStroke diesel :-). 925 ft-lbs of torque should be awesome! I once did a retrofit of a small-block Chevy into a Toyota Landcuiser, and while it worked out fine, I remember always being a little anxious about getting too far away from the guy who did the work!

[Thiss]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I've often wondered why the key fob lock and unlock doesn't do the tailgate too...


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They do on the 2016 and newer Rams

I vote Ram Cummins Crew Cab

For the labs, a nice 2 Hole Mountain Top Custom Kennel. Insulated, locking doors, and Fantastic Fan for ventilation all makes happy cool/warm pups.

Happy shopping!

[RobH41]

Our tow vehicle is an '06 GMC 2500HD with the YBZ series diesel. Now with close to 130k miles on it with no issues whatsoever. We tow a 25' Safari and 2 sailboats on occasion, with one weighing in at almost 12k. The Allison transmissions keep us in the GMC family and the Duramax engines are much quieter than the others. Ours is a crew cap with a short bed with a topper over the bed. Big back seat with good leg room.

[GeeSag]

Another interesting point is that many threads recommend to not exceed 80% of rated Capacity.

The longer wheel base of the F-250 Super Crew 6.5' bed (or Chevy / Doge equivalent) will make a much more stable towing experience.
The short wheel base of a Yukon/Tahoe will make backing easier, but at a huge risk of less stability when towing.

Unless the Yukon 2017 is dramatically different than the 2016, you are no where near the towing capacity of a 10,000# Classic with only 8,100 towing capacity. Add in the 80% factor as a good rule, and it rules out the Yukon / Tahoe.

The previous thread that suggested the F-350 is a great idea. with 10,000# get all the truck you can.

[slowmover]

Full size van.

[m.hony]

What about a 6 passenger crew cab truck with a sliding window and truck bed cap with fans for the labs?

[m.hony]

The full size vans aren't what they used to be unless you can get a Chevy Express/GMC Savana 2500 or 3500.
I still want to know where 6 people and 2 big dogs are going to sleep in a Classic...