Due to some conflicting plans, my buddy with the dually may not be able to tow my car to BG this year (from Florida). So, Plan B is my Yukon XL. I'm wondering if it will do it. I've deciphered the option codes on the glove box door. Here's the scoop: 2000 (New Body Style) Yukon XL, 2wd 5.3L V-8, Automatic 3.73 rear, non-posi 91,000 miles There is an option for a towing package or something to that effect, but I DON'T have that. The Owner's Manual lists towing capacity as 8,800 lbs. Is that with optional equipment or standard stuff? Trailer, car, and cargo weight is 5,500 lbs. Trailer has tandem axles and 2 wheel brakes. Now, if the Yukon will do it, is there a plug under the dash for a brake unit or do I have to wire it in? Also, is there a pig tail under the back to plug in a harness for a 7-pin trailer plug? C'mon, I know there's some GM Techs out there. Anybody that can help? Thanks. See you in BG, one way or another. :3gears:
You'll have no problems towing 5500 lbs. with the XL. I have a 2001 that I tow my 7700 lb travel trailer with. It's a little on the heavy side but our previous trailer weighed 5600 lbs. and it pulled it well. It also pulled my GN to Bowling Green last year without any problems. You will have to wire in the brake controller. I believe you can tap into the rear wiring harness near the driver's rear close to the fuel pump to install a 7-pin plug. Go to your local truck accessory shop and they can check both things for you....or install both. You'll enjoy the extra room in the XL for all your stuff. Hope that helps, Scott
RPO Z82 is the "Trailering Package". That gets you the platform hitch, the wiring receptical and (depending on the model year) the harness that connects to your brake controller. The trailer package does not include any kind of heavier rear springs, so even without the package your rear springs should be fine. If you can come up with that wiring harness then you can wire your brake controller to the blunt cut ends of the harness, and then it will plug into the "LH BEC" under the dash (what you and I used to call the "fuse block") with the connector. Make sure you get the "2002 and earlier" connector (beige colored) and not the "2003 and later" connector (white). I'll let someone else talk you through the wiring at the rear of the truck if that is not already there. As mentioned, you shouldn't have any trouble pulling 5500 lbs. Have a good trip -
There should be a trailer plug taped to the rear wire harness somewhere above the spare tire. I can't remember how many pins. I remember that there was usually a wire harness in with the bag with the owner's manual that was for a trailer brake. It wired into the under-hood fuse panel. It may have only been supplied with the ones with the towing option. If it's equipped with the tow/haul button, make sure it's in working order. I've seen those tiny little wires in the column for that switch be broken before trucks were even sold. If it doesn't have a tow/haul switch, look in the owner's manual or for a decal in the driver's door frame that says anything about towing in "3" (or regular "D") when you start hitting the hills.
I towed my Buick from the Pittsburgh area to Salisbury, MD with my '02 Tahoe 4wd/ 5.3/3.73 with no problems and that was almost 70% mountains and using a heavy assed U-Haul trailer. You won't have any problems, use the tow/haul button and cruise control, the pcm does a great job of taking care of the rest.
This is some good info. :TU: I have a question kinda on the same subject. I have a 02 silverado with 5.3/3.73 gears. I have been told not to tow in overdrive. and if I did when I come to any hills drop it into 3rd. Are you guys towing in 3rd all the time?
NO!! Use the tow/haul button, it selects the correct gear and t/c lockup for the situation, there is no point in using the third gear position on the '99 and up with tow/haul.
I just pulled my 68 back from NJ to Ohio with a 2002 suburban. Hate to say it but the truck is in the shop now. It pulled and stopped like a dream. Not sure what broke but the truck seemed to handle it well. Shop says the cat converter is bad but we'll see.
Thanks for the great info guys! Sounds like I'll be just fine. Now I have to wrestle the keys away from my wife! :laugh: The Yukon's her "kid hauler". I'll look into the wiring issues. I know on Ford trucks I've had before, they put a plug under the dash and behind the bumper. Easy. I would hope GM would be so kind. I have been really happy with the Yukon. It's a well designed and well made vehicle. Thanks guys. Have fun.
Jeff I use my 2002 yukon to trailer everywhere,I'm pulling 6800 lb and the enclosed is like a barn door.No problems at all and pulls very well.Milage goes down to 11mpg though. gary
I found my harness in the compartment in the back of my sub 2001 its behind the third seat drivers side.
