2500 vs. 1500 Yukon XL towing performance?

[bongju]

I currently tow a 8000 lb. travel trailer (loaded) with a 2001 1500 Yukon XL (4.03 axle) and a tow rating of 8800 lbs.  During two round  trips through Colorado and Wyoming, the combination of high winds (swaying) and elevation made towing very difficult.  We are considering upgrading to a 2002 2500 Yukon XL with the 8.1L engine (4.03 axle) and a tow rating of 12000 lbs.  I would greatly appreciate advice on the following:

 

1.  Will the new vehicle reduce trailer sway and provide significantly more power when towing?

2.  What is the approximate mileage I can expect when towing and not towing?

3.  I like the quadrasteer option on the 2003 Yukon XL, but is it worth the $6000 price and giving up the current $2500 rebate on 2002s?

 

Thank you.

[SilveradoWV]

1.  Will the new vehicle reduce trailer sway and provide significantly more power when towing?

Question 1 is all I can give you my opinion on, because I know nothing about the other 2. As for more power I would say it would! Only thing that would effect this is the added weight of a 2500 but your numbers in your post show that it is rated better! As for the sway problem, I have a question for you! Are you using the sway control arm that goes from your trailer hitch to the trailer?? If you are then the 2500 probably wont help you! If you are not you should be able to buy it and put it on the 1500 and eliminate the sway! If you get a 2500 you will need it on there too!

[Shaners]

The 2500 will handle the loads better, but you should be OK (but underpowered) with your current vehicle.  

 

First off, what tires do you have on your current truck?  If they are "P" rated tires, alot of your problem is in the rubber.  You need to run "LT" rated tires with a min. load rating of "C" and better off a "D" or "E".  The "P" rated tires, that are probably the OEM tire on your truck, are basically a car tire.  They don't have enough sidewall strength to handle your 2 1/2 ton vehicle while pulling a small house behind it.

 

You also need to make sure your trailer has the proper toungue weight in the 10-15% range of the loaded trailer weight.

 

Another easy suggestion, is to drop down one link of chain off the torsion (weight distributing) bars.  This will put more weight on the toungue.  Depending how may trailer is loaded, I have actually pulled over and adjusted the chains on the bars with fantastic improvements in handling.

 

Finally make sure your sway control bar is tight!!!