Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

[keninaz]

I am sure somebody has experience with this SUV.
I picked it up used to replace my V6 min van as it's time to get back to boating for us.
It's a 2008 and it has got the 5.3 motor and 3.73 axle and is rated for 7500# but I never tow anywhere near the max rating on any truck. I get 19 overall rolling up and down the mountains in central AZ so I happy with that.
I am considering a smaller cuddy cabin so we could do overnight stays on it as the nearest lakes are 80-225 miles from me so I want to make the trip pay and enjoy the boat a few days at a time.
I am thinking that considering I will be at freeway speeds pulling a load that may be 4500-6000# depending on the boat I buy that I am most likely looking at 10-12 MPG.
Any second guessers?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

You will get around 12 mpg if you stay around 60 and you wont even notice its behind you.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

OK, so my estimates were pretty close.
I may have to do a little better than 60 as on the freeways here in AZ 75 is the limit and many are beyond that.
But for the most heavily traveled road I will only be on it about 60 miles and I tend to travel early so it should not be too bad.
I figured that 12 might be a good number, more or less depending on terrain of course.
Looking for a cuddy now and seeing what is out there used locally.
There seem to be quite a few in the Lake Havasu and Lake Mohave area.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

Since it's a used 2008 Yukon and maybe no history of preventive maintenance maybe consider changing rear end/differential fluid, flush/refill the radiator/cooling system and change fluid and filter in the transmission....unless you can confirm these items have been done and depending on vehicle mileage...These items could be extra important especially since it sounds like you may be "really putting the load on it".....wouldn't hurt to inspect the brakes while it's being done!....good luck!...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

Its not a matter of how fast your can pull it, you can easily pull it at 80 but the MPG will drop off real bad once you go over 60, at 70 it drops off to 8.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

Its not a matter of how fast your can pull it, you can easily pull it at 80 but the MPG will drop off real bad once you go over 60, at 70 it drops off to 8.

Towing with my 2007 avalanche I got 9-12MPG. Doing 65.

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

Just driving our 2007 Suburban (6.0L) we see 16-17mpg on the freeway and with most driving in town we average 11.6mpg overall. It's a joke but we didn't buy it for the MPG. Towing on the freeway is 12-14 depending on whether it's the camper or boat, both are small and under 2500lbs so we're not "hauling". We have lots of comfortable space for the family, friends, and our gear. Love the Burb!

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

OK, so my estimates were pretty close.
I may have to do a little better than 60 as on the freeways here in AZ 75 is the limit and many are beyond that.
But for the most heavily traveled road I will only be on it about 60 miles and I tend to travel early so it should not be too bad.
I figured that 12 might be a good number, more or less depending on terrain of course.
Looking for a cuddy now and seeing what is out there used locally.
There seem to be quite a few in the Lake Havasu and Lake Mohave area.

A little different note....

Check the speed rating of your trailer tires. If they are ST tires. The rated speed is 60 MPH. If they are actually passenger or LT tires it may well be higher. Some people get away with towing above the rated speed, Many do not. Be sure and have a good spare, jack, and lug wrench along for the ride. Running tires above the rating is essentially like over reving an engine. They normally don't last long like that.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Anyone towing a larger load with a Yukon?

One of the Sub's weakest points has always been brakes.

Make sure your trailer brakes work and are in good shape.

Coming "down the hill" from Flag or higher Elevations (Prescott included) can be brutal on brakes.