Could a 2015 Yukon/ Tahow safely pull 7840 (loaded)/ 5880 (dry)?

jvbronco · October 11, 2015

I'm flirting with looking at a Yukon or Tahoe. We do multiple 2000+ mile road trips per year and it would be nice to have the extra interior space compared to my 2014 double cab. These long trips are done without the trailer.

I will be towing a 26ft travel trailer with a total GVRW of 7840lbs. Dry weight is 5880. I'd expect to be somewhere around 7000 fully loaded. We typically load everything in the trailer and drive with two passengers + 2 75lb dogs in the truck Everything else goes in the trailer. Our camping typical trip is 1-4 hour weekend trip in Minnesota.

I'm looking at a 2015 Yukon with a 5.3lv8 and 3.42 gears. weight ratings are below (these are according to the website and I'd need to confirm on the door jam).

GVWR: 3,311kg (7,300lbs)
Payload: 778kg (1,715lbs)
Curb weight: 2,515kg (5,545lbs)

Here is my question:

Can this Yukon safely pull my trailer?

I'm comfortable pulling it with my current set up (it is within all weight ratings). I'm also okay with what the 5.3 can do. I'll take it slow when I hit the hills.

EastCoast HD · October 11, 2015

I'm flirting with looking at a Yukon or Tahoe. We do multiple 2000+ mile road trips per year and it would be nice to have the extra interior space compared to my 2014 double cab. These long trips are done without the trailer.

I will be towing a 26ft travel trailer with a total GVRW of 7840lbs. Dry weight is 5880. I'd expect to be somewhere around 7000 fully loaded. We typically load everything in the trailer and drive with two passengers + 2 75lb dogs in the truck Everything else goes in the trailer. Our camping typical trip is 1-4 hour weekend trip in Minnesota.

I'm looking at a 2015 Yukon with a 5.3lv8 and 3.42 gears. weight ratings are below (these are according to the website and I'd need to confirm on the door jam).

GVWR: 3,311kg (7,300lbs)

Payload: 778kg (1,715lbs)

Curb weight: 2,515kg (5,545lbs)

Here is my question:

Can this Yukon safely pull my trailer?

I'm comfortable pulling it with my current set up (it is within all weight ratings). I'm also okay with what the 5.3 can do. I'll take it slow when I hit the hills.

What is the tongue weight of your TT when loaded?

The specs you listed (unconfirmed) are similar to that of your '14 PU except for wheelbase. The Yukon is 116" vs. 143.5 for the PU.

Blue2500CC · October 11, 2015

What exactly are you looking for more interior space for? The luggage, the dogs, or a couple more passengers on the long trips?

The Tahoe/ Yukon would probably be fine, pending the actual payload of the truck as you mentioned.... The big difference, even though your tt is a "medium length", is the wheelbase of the tv. The longer the tv's wb, the more stable the tow.

If you are only looking for more luggage room, do you have a tonneau cover or topper on the truck? A cargo bar across the bed to keep stuff from sliding to far forward., though not a secure as a Tahoe/ Yukon. BUT a lot cheaper! Lol Even a truck topper/ cap would be cheaper than trading a almost 2yr old truck.

A very tough decision... Good luck deciding!!!

jvbronco · October 11, 2015

Thanks guys. I'm not positive on the tongue weight but I'd estimate around 15% to be safe. Say about 1100 lbs tongue weight.

I have a topper on my truck now and it's nice to have the covered storage space. The biggest issue with the double cab is the small back seat. It would be nice to have a bit more room in the cab. I'd also like to be able to have the dogs in the back in the heat of the summer and dead winter. It's tough now on longer trips in the topper because we still cannot keep the dogs back there when it's too hot or cold.

I have a trailer for the trips to Home Depot so I'm not concerned about beating up the inside of an suv.

I'm not sure what the GCWR for the Yukon is. I think it will either be 12k or 14k lbs. I do know the Yukon has the integrated trailer brake so that might come with the higher capacity.

CKNSLS · November 9, 2015

That's too much trailer for a Yukon IMHO. Are you carry passengers as well? You will be right up against payload.

GsBowtie · November 9, 2015

A trailer with a 7800lb gross weight is a lot of trailer. I'd estimate my rig is between 5-6k lbs fully loaded. With my family of 4 and bed full of gear and firewood my truck handles the load well, but in your case I'd be taking on at least another 1500lb of weight, which is a lot.

My current tt is about 24' ball to bumper. I used to pull it with a ford expedition. The expy was ok power wise, but there's no doubt the extra length of my truck makes things much more stable.

If you went with a suburban, it might be more doable. A 26' rig isn't overly long but it sure seems heavy for that length.

If your tongue weight estimate is anywhere close. I think you will be at or over the tahoes payload. I think you're in the cusp of 3/4 ton territory with that rig. What about a crew cab truck? I love mine. Tons of room in the back seat. My boys love it back there

Z45 · November 9, 2015

You should look at a Yukon Denali, it comes standard with a 430 hp 6.2L engine and 8-sp trans. 6.2L is not offered in a Tahoe.

A 5.3L engine has to work hard to tow that much trailer.

[email protected] · November 9, 2015

The bigger engine is not going to change his GVW rating which he'd be over by all educated guesses. The 5.3 with 3.42 will tow that fine. That's what my trailer is for weight...fully loaded and the 5.3 performs well...but would certainly be nice to have the 6.2

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GsBowtie · November 10, 2015

The bigger engine is not going to change his GVW rating which he'd be over by all educated guesses. The 5.3 with 3.42 will tow that fine. That's what my trailer is for weight...fully loaded and the 5.3 performs well...but would certainly be nice to have the 6.2

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This is correct info. The limitation is the tahoes payload and suspension. I'm actually very impressed by the 5.3/3.42 combo in my silverado. One trip this summer with my rig i had to pull some long, steep grades, one of them was 11%.

I couldn't get a runny on that one due to some slow moving traffic, so i got down into the 2nd gear towards the top of that grade, but man, once there, and the rpn's came up to about 4500 or so, she pulled like a freight train. The 5.3 is a great engine. It'll pull strong if you get after it, yet still gets great fuel milage for a 355 hp v8 engine, and you can run 87 octane gas in it, which i always do without issue.

I'd much rather have the NA 5.3 than a turbo v6 like in the fords. Just my .02, sorry to get a bit off topic.

-G

mdauwald · November 10, 2015

A friend tows a similar weighted trailer with a Tahoe and I couldn't believe how much the rear suspension dropped when loaded versus my pickup. That Tahoe was actually rated a few hundred pounds higher than my pickup for towing but I'd never trust it. FYI this was about 800lbs tounge weight.

GsBowtie · November 11, 2015

This is the issue with suv towing. The suspension is soft for ride quality, which does not do any favors for towing performance and stability. It can be done, but this is exactly why the old 2500 series suburbans were so popular with campers

jvbronco · November 16, 2015

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I ended up getting a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.4l v8. I had debated between the Tahoe and a 3/4 ton for a while. Then the debate turned to gas v diesel. Then Ram v Chevy. The ram won out eventually. So far so good. I get to hook up the trailer in about 6 weeks to take it out for the first time. Counting down the days...

Blue2500CC · November 16, 2015

A Ram??? Lol

Congrats on the truck!!! I have read some good things so far about the 6.4.

Keep us updated on the truck and trailer!

GsBowtie · November 16, 2015

I looked at a 2015 2500 ram with the 6.4 before i bought my silverado. It is a heck of a truck from a chassis standpoint, but i never test drove one because i couldn't get past the cheapo interior and unfortunately Chrysler still has corrosion issues so i passed on it. Hope yours is good and you like it.

BlackZ71Silverado · November 16, 2015

You should look at a Yukon Denali, it comes standard with a 430 hp 6.2L engine and 8-sp trans. 6.2L is not offered in a Tahoe.

A 5.3L engine has to work hard to tow that much trailer.

It seems you are a little confused about vehicle weight ratings. The engine size doesn't really matter when it comes to weight limits so purchasing the more expensive Denali will help with nothing but lightening the OP's wallet.

The 5.3L is great for towing but it really doesn't have to work hard at all with the proper gear ratio selection. You can have a 5.3L with 4.10 gears and the engine would not work as hard as a 6.3L with 3.08 gears. Engine size alone is not what you want to look for when it comes to weight ratings. People really seem confused about this and seem to think the 6.2L is some sort of magical engine with unlimited tow/haul capacity but that's not the case. There are many things the manufacturers account for when limiting the capacity of the vehicles. Engine, transmission, gears, brakes, vehicle weight, vehicle size, suspension, etc. The vehicle in question has to be able to nit just pull a load, but safely stop the load as well.

Do some reading on pickup and SUV weight ratings, there is a lot to learn.