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pamelake · 03-01-2006, 07:43 PM

What do you think about this as a tow vehicle for my 1974 25' Tradewind with a dry weight of 4190 and hitch weight of 630...

2000 GMC Yukon Denali. Owner has added a Gibson flow-thru exhaust (he says increases airflow leading to better HP and gasmileage). Has tow package.89,950 miles. He sent me these details today......
Some additional information on the Denali. I found the original factory
window sticker and the vehicle is equipped with the heavy duty trailering
package which includes a transmission cooling system and the 3.73 rear axle
ratio.

He is asking $18995. I really want to buy a tow vehicle! Will someone advise me? Will this be a good choice? Thank you for your thoughts, Pam

Also, someone else who is selling a Denali told me the tow capacity is 5000/tongue 600 and with weight distributing 12,000 tow capacity. Is this referring to the weight distributing hitch I purchased this summer?...

scf31 · 03-01-2006, 08:01 PM

as far as the price goes,,,, go to KBB.com thats kelly blue book and search as a private seller, go thru the process on the website , as far as the towing I cant answer that ,

Steve Heywood · 03-01-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

What do you think about this as a tow vehicle for my 1974 25' Tradewind with a dry weight of 4190 and hitch weight of 630...

2000 GMC Yukon Denali. Owner has added a Gibson flow-thru exhaust (he says increases airflow leading to better HP and gasmileage). Has tow package.89,950 miles. He sent me these details today......
Some additional information on the Denali. I found the original factory
window sticker and the vehicle is equipped with the heavy duty trailering
package which includes a transmission cooling system and the 3.73 rear axle
ratio.

He is asking $18995. I really want to buy a tow vehicle! Will someone advise me? Will this be a good choice? Thank you for your thoughts, Pam

Also, someone else who is selling a Denali told me the tow capacity is 5000/tongue 600 and with weight distributing 12,000 tow capacity. Is this referring to the weight distributing hitch I purchased this summer?...

The seller is asking at least $3,000 more than this vehicle is worth. I used kbb.com to determine it's approximate value.

As a tow vehicle, GMC rated this vehicle to tow 6600 lbs according to Trailer Life. The two different ratings you mention sound like the different ratings mentioned on the receiver hitch. Receiver hitches are usually rated for about 1/2 of their "normal" when used with a dead weight hitch. The receiver on my F250 is rated for 12,500 lbs trailer weight & 1,250 lbs tongue weight when used with a weight distributing hitch yet only 5,000/500 lbs when used with a dead weight hitch.

A later model GMC Yukon Denali has the 6.0L V8 and is rated to tow more weight than a 2000. The Denali is GMC's premium SUV, is equiped like a Cadillac, and priced accordingly.

J&C · 03-01-2006, 08:37 PM

Pamelake,

I had a 2000 GMC Yukon w/5.3 4x4 and trailer tow pkg, when purchased it had 14,000 mile so it was in warranty. Its primary purpose was towing my 28' SOB and did a nice job in towing that trailer. I really wish I had searched for the XL, the longer wheelbase would have been more stable while towing, Also I may have kept it when I bought the 34 Limited.

Oh, I did look at Denalis but there was something different about the transmittions/drive-line/4x4 on these, I cannot remember but at the time, I was a bit concerned about it.

My Yukon was nice to drive but occaionally troublesome w/charging and electrical system.

2000 was the first year in that body, I suggest looking at a newer vehicle. You really should go on line and read vehicle reports or talk to seek other owners opinions.

I hope this helps but I am a bit negative with the price and miles.

John

Alumaholic · 03-01-2006, 08:40 PM

Pam,
You do not say if it is the Yukon Denali or the Yukon Denali XL
Equipped with the 6.0 liter Vortec engine, and a 3.73 rear axle
the Yukon Denali has an 8,200 lb towing limit
the Yukon Denali XL has an 8,000 lb towing limit.

Assuming the vehicle is in good mechanical condition, it will have plenty of power to pull your Airstream. The Yukon Denali XL would be best because of its longer wheel base.

Go to www.edmunds.com to determine what the vehicle is really worth, and have a competent mechanic inspect it for you.

Hope this helps.
Ken
Albuquerque

pamelake · 03-01-2006, 09:39 PM

You guys are great! I am in the middle of studying for an online Statistics (or as I like to think Sadistics) class. When I am not consumed with that I am trying to decipher another new language to me.... tow capacities etc! Your comments are so helpful. I am now forced to make a decision and buy, because my other car has been diagnosed by my mechanic as 'terminal'. Please bear with me as I may have a few more questions. And then this summer I will actually be out on the road with my Airstream and I will have a whole new category of questions. Thanks again, Pam

Steve Heywood · 03-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klevan

You do not say if it is the Yukon Denali or the Yukon Denali XL
Equipped with the 6.0 liter Vortec engine, and a 3.73 rear axle
the Yukon Denali has an 8,200 lb towing limit
the Yukon Denali XL has an 8,000 lb towing limit.

Except that a 2000 Denali doesn't have the 6.0L engine, it has the older 5.7 (350) and is only rated for 6600 lbs.

Alumaholic · 03-02-2006, 03:21 PM

Right you are, Steve. I was looking at the wrong year in my towing guide.
Pam, I think you can find a better tow vehicle.
Ken

AYRSTRM2 · 03-02-2006, 03:28 PM

That is WAY too much money for a vehicle with that many miles and age. You could get an '04 or 05 for almost that much with 20k miles on it. Go to Cars.com and shop around in the used section. You will be amazed at what you find. Don't get hung up on that exhaust either. Mileage always blows when you tow.

John

pamelake · 03-04-2006, 12:25 AM

Scf31, Steve, John, Ken, John, Thanks to you all for taking the time to help me with this. I will continue my search and do a bit more research, Edmonds.com, KKB, and maybe Consumers Guide. I WILL figure this out and make a good choice!!! Thanks, again Pam

03-04-2006, 07:53 AM

I also agree that it's too much money and to many miles. I bought a 2001 Suburban 2500 4x4 with $17,000.00 worth of options (sticker) with the 8.1 litre engine and 36,000 miles on it a year ago for $20,000.00. This was an eBay purchase and I've had zero problems with it. There are some good deals out there you just have to keep looking.

pamelake · 03-05-2006, 11:09 PM

This Yukon XL is a 2001 with 78,000 miles on it. It has leather, moon roof, roof rack... nice inside. The seller is going to add the trailer brake for me (it is prewired) and it has a tow/haul button. (Is that helpful?) Is this still too much money? KBB ranges from $16,600 to $22,000. I think it surely has enough tow power.... Your thoughts please! Pam

Steve Heywood · 03-06-2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelake

This Yukon XL is a 2001 with 78,000 miles on it. It has leather, moon roof, roof rack... nice inside. The seller is going to add the trailer brake for me (it is prewired) and it has a tow/haul button. (Is that helpful?) Is this still too much money? KBB ranges from $16,600 to $22,000. I think it surely has enough tow power.... Your thoughts please! Pam

Is it a 1/2 or 3/4 ton (1500 or 2500?) Which rear axle ratio does it have?

The tow/haul recalibrates the transmission for shifts at higher RPM, very useful when towing with the newer engines as they produce most of their power at higher RPM.

How much does he want for it?

J&C · 03-06-2006, 06:33 AM

Pam,

It's sure better than the first deal, however, my opinion, for the price, please look 50,000 miles or less. Information that would be helpful is to seeing maintance records of regular service such as oil changes, transmittion/axle/brake, Dont take the owners word see records & receipts! Take it to a reputable mechanic to help to evaluate it. If none of these services had proof maintenace, be aware of longivity since tow vehicles need more regular service or other repairs. Towing, you will be increasing your probabilty for service and repairs especially if certain components were neglected.

Best of Luck,

John

Condoluminum · 03-06-2006, 11:39 AM

Pamela-

If these are being offered by dealers, you need to be ready to offer 15% to 20% below asking price, and stick to your position, to point of getting in car and starting to drive away... Both the Denali and Yukon XL prices are really high in light of current gas issues.

Not sure where you're located or how much choice you have, but you should be able to find 2002 Suburban in range of $16K, with mileage below 50,000 and tow pkg. Those are readily available in Calif, without rust issues. We bought 2002 Excursion with V-8 and 4.10 axle, 44K miles for $17.5K, in otherwise perfect condition. Dealer asking price $20,995.

Be aware also that Kelley Blue Book prices set by dealers in private coffee meetings (not based on auctions or actual retail sales) and that there are several versions, depending on whether you plan to sell your car to dealer (prices low) or buy from dealer (prices inflated) and whether you are dealer (private copies) or public (copies sold in stores).

John McG

pamelake · 03-06-2006, 09:00 PM

Hey... I forgot to include the asking price. $19,000. We haven't negotiated yet... Pam

davidz71 · 03-06-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Heywood

Is it a 1/2 or 3/4 ton (1500 or 2500?)

Steve asked a good question which I did not see answered yet. Is it a 1500 or a 2500?

pamelake · 03-06-2006, 11:25 PM

It is a 1500. Thank you all for helping me with this!

pamelake · 03-10-2006, 01:08 PM

Now I am trying to find something that is more reasonably priced...based on some of your comments. For my 25' trailer weighing 4290 dry, do I really have to have the extra length provided by an XL? I have located a 1999 Yukon with a new transmission, 5.7L Vortec V8, 4x4, 95,000 miles. The owner thought it might not be as good as an XL for my trailer (sounds like an honest fellow), but I am not sure. When I compared this to a Suburban on KBB it actually has a higher tow capacity. 7,000 vs 6,000 on a 1999 1500 Suburban. Now I am sooooo confused. Your thoughts? Pam

Alumaholic · 03-11-2006, 07:08 PM

Pam,
You will not be happy with the 5.7 liter in combination with the standard 3.73 rear axle.

Please look for something with a 6.0 liter, preferably in a full size Suburban or Yukon XL, vice the shorter Tahoe or Yukon. The 6.0 liter will give you enough power. The longer wheel base will offer safer more comfortable handling.

I have owned three Airstreams and three Suburbans and have dragged an Airstream back and forth across the U.S. three times. I know of what I speak.

Ken
Albuquerque