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03-07-2007, 09:58 AM
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#1
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New Member
2005 31' Classic
Menomonee Falls
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 4
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Confused in Wisconsin...
Hello Everyone:
I am currently a proud owner of a 2003 Safari LS, SS that has served us well over the past 3 years. My family (4 children, spouse and dog) is growing in size and we are really starting to feel the limited size of our current trailer. I have the opportunity to purchase a 2005 Classic C30W WB (exterior length 31'). This makes the advertised GVWR 8700 lbs. compared to my current safari @6300 lbs.
My tow vehicle is a 2003 Yukon XL 4WD SLT, 3/4 Ton, 6L V8, with 4.1 rear axle ratio. GVWR 8608 lbs.
According to the 2003 GMC Trailering guide I should be able to pull a trailer up to 9600 lbs. Per my readings here, I should actually consider 80% of this which makes my max 7680 lbs.
So I guess from this, this trailer is too big/heavy for us by about 1000lbs...is that correct???
I don't just want to pull the trailer, I want to pull it safely.
Any guidance, advice or just words of wisdom are appreciated. Thank you all in advance.
Michael
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03-07-2007, 10:48 AM
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#2
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Always Airstreaming!
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown
, Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
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Michael-
Hi there, and yes your math is almost correct! What many, many folks forget about is that towing number of your TV must include the contents of the TV minus the driver, so you need to add the weight of your passangers and gear in the truck to the towed weight. In addition, your new AS will have the usual pots, pans, food, stuff and gear. All to often when folks are trying to fudge numbers they only go by book numbers. I think more AS owners should make a stop at a CAT scale onece a year when fully loaded on a trip out to realize exactly what they are towing. I am also often surprised that so many folks are worried about towing the weight and often forget they have to stop the weight. So to be on the safe side, add up all these numbers for a reality check on what you will really be towing. I hope this was helpful and you can use the search function above to for research. Have fun and let us know what you decide on doing!
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
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03-07-2007, 11:42 AM
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#3
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmfly4fun
My tow vehicle is a 2003 Yukon XL 4WD SLT, 3/4 Ton, 6L V8, with 4.1 rear axle ratio. GVWR 8608 lbs. l
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hi michael
what is the gcwr for the yukon?
that is the max weight limit for everything combined. trailer, tv, people, liquids, gear and so on..
be septical of posted trailer weights. with options it could weight 100s of lbs more than the published figure.
also watch the 'cargo carrying capacity' for the trailer in question....
it is possible to move up in size and lose cargo carry capacity.
reading your situation (4kids+pooch) you might be better suited finding a safari sleeper six/ front bedroom model.
these are really designed for family use, and used ones are available.
full bed for adults, bunks in back and sofabed midship.
most of the modern classics don't sleep 4+ easily and they are heavy units.
cheers
2air'
the 80% guide is very useful, but many people safely pull 30-31 ft classics with your tow vehicle and the 4.10 gearing.
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-07-2007, 12:03 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 

2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Hello Michael -- and welcome to the Forums!
If the current Yukon XL specs are anything like yours, the payload capacity is 2273 pounds -- quite generous. The most accurate number is actually in your owners manual. You must add all humans aboard, pet, cargo, options and hitch weight and stay below that 2273 pounds. This many people aboard is going to put you in the neighborhood of the TV's GVWR, thus will correspondingly lower the possible trailer in tow (by subtracting TV's GVWR from GCWR). Your current Safari manual probably shows the diagram on how to determine tongue weight with a bathroom scale.
2air' -- I'm assuming Michael has as he describes it, an "SS" (six sleeper). But yes Michael, what is your Yukon's GCWR?
The Yukon XL may need some load compensations to tow a very heavy trailer. By lightening the people aboard you can safely handle a trailer this size to get it home. Then you'll need to get to a truck scale and weigh both vehicles to answer the ultimate question -- is the Yukon XL enough tow vehicle.
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03-07-2007, 02:29 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canoe stream
I'm assuming Michael has as he describes it, an "SS" (six sleeper). But yes Michael, what is your Yukon's GCWR?
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pardon, i was referring to the 30 ft safari that will sleep 6 not the ss model.
http://www.airforums.com/forum...lub-29241.html
i guess this is referred to as the 'bunkhouse'...
this was suggested in comparision to the 30ft classic.
sleeps more, weights less....
in many ways the ideal modern unit for a family of 6+....
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-07-2007, 02:32 PM
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#6
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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I think the XL has enough wheel base to do it, I'd like to see a bit more, but it should be fine. The 6.0L is a strong engine and w/ 4.10s I think it would work. I'd be much happer seeing the 8.1L, but frankly, I know a few folks towing near 9k (30' slide out) and the 3/4 ton 6.0L does it and they reported it does it well. Taking it slow, I think you should be fine. I say this because the ONLY difference in the higher tow capacity of the next step up 3/4 ton Yukon XL or Suburban was the 8.1L engine, everything else is the same...trans, brakes, axle hubs, etc. You may see a bit of strain from time to time on hilly or mountain areas, but I think the 6er will do it.
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03-07-2007, 02:41 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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You will be fine in Wisconsin and surrounding states. If you get to the Rockie mountains with some elevation above 6,000 feet you will not be able to pull very fast. That is most likely a good idea, as the down hill grades will also tax your brakes.
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03-07-2007, 02:57 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 

2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwightdi
.... down hill grades will also tax your brakes.
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We flatlanders would do well to remember to take any vehicle out of overdrive on long descents. Gear down and avoid speed buildup or you'll find you won't have brakes at all! But I am agreeing you should be fine if you go steady and easy-does-it. Isn't your Yukon XL just a GMC badged 3/4-ton Suburban? Like Twink sez, you're set up with most everything you'd want in a tow vehicle.
There are a variety of threads on the different weighings to make at a CAT scale. Work thru the weighing process once and it should give you confidence -- report numbers back here if you want further input.
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