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GMC as a toad

Yahoo Message Number: 10677
Does anyone use a GMC Yukon XL as a tow vehicle? If so, I'd love to know how it works.
We have a large boat to tow at times and are considering the purchase of a Yukon XL to use for moving the boat and then as a toad. Currently use a Falcon 2 non-binding motorhome mounted tow bar from Roadmaster which is absolutely great.

Heading out as fulltimers in about 6 weeks!

Any advice/suggestion would be most appreciated.

Tom Sims

2002 Intrigue 36'

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10680
I tow a 04 Yukon and they work great as long as you get the 4 wheel drive and not the all wheel drive. You just put the selector switch in neutral and put it in park then take the keys out and go.

Jerry

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10681
From: "Thomas Sims" tsims@...>

Quote
Does anyone use a GMC Yukon XL as a tow vehicle? If so, I'd love to know
how it works. (snip)

I don't have one, but I do know that the Chevy version of the Yukon is cheaper and is, essentially, the same vehicle. Made on the same assembly line. Just as good or bad, but cheaper. Now, if you want a retractable top, you apparently have to buy the GMC (XUV?).

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10682
I tow a '97 Chevy Suburban behind my '95 Intrigue 36' with 300 Cummins. It's a bit heavy for the 300 Cummins but what are you going to do. Mine is a 4x4 and I had to install a driveline disconnect because the transfer case doesn't have a neutral position. I use an M&G Engineering braking system and I really like that. My tow bar is an Aventa II rated at 10,000 lbs. Other than the weight thing, it is fine. Maybe I just need more power....HA!.....I feel darn lucky to have what I've got.

Mike

'95 Intrigue 10061

Quote from: Thomas Sims
Does anyone use a GMC Yukon XL as a tow vehicle? If so, I'd love
to know how it works.

Quote
>

We have a large boat to tow at times and are considering the
purchase of a Yukon XL to use for moving the boat and then as a toad. Currently use a Falcon 2 non-binding motorhome mounted tow bar from Roadmaster which is absolutely great.

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10692
Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about a Yukon toad. Very appreciated. I think I'll take the leap...

Tom Sims

2002 Intrigue 36'

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10694
Would LOVE a retractable top. Would the GMC XUV tow a 23 ft 6500 boat???

What do ya think?

Tom Sims

2002 Intrigue 36'

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10696
From: "Thomas Sims" tsims@...>

Quote
Would LOVE a retractable top. Would the GMC XUV tow a 23 ft 6500 boat???
Not being a smart *ss, but that's too important a question to ask for opinions. Including the sales person's . Check the manufacturer's specs to see what the vehicle's towing capability is, as well as its GCWR (gross COMBINED weight rating) to make sure that the weight of a fully loaded tow vehicle (including passengers) and fully loaded 6,500 lb boat (including fishing gear, life jackets, fuel, loaded cooler, etc.) don't exceed it. You may have to special order the vehicle to get one with a high tow rating. And don't just settle for being told that it has a "Trailer Package," which might consist of nothing but a receiver hitch and trailer lighting plug.

The only vehicle sales folks who you can *sort've* trust are truck sales people, 'cause they're comfortable talking about transmission coolers, rear axle ratios, GVWR, GCWR and the like. Good luck!

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10705
The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL is a bit nicer than the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban line BUT and here is the bit thing, with the newer GMC side of Gen Motors, you only have automatic 4 wheel drive (no buttons to select). With the Chevy side of GM you have buttons and can put the transfer case into neutral so that you then have the ability of flat-towing. Yes, obviously make sure the combined weights don't exceed your RV limits AND add a Toad Braking System.

Bill 'n Barb, Poconoc of PA, CC 1999 Prevost XL 40

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10706
I HAVE A 04 YUKON AND IT DOES HAVE THE NEUTRAL SELECTOR BUTTON THE PUT THE TRANSFER CASE IN NUMERAL.

JERRY COACH #60414

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10708
Tom,

I was towing an 03 Envoy, (what a breeze to tow). I also had an 03 Yukon Denali XL, which was my main drive car. I got tired of having an extra car to find a place to park, so I decided to consolidate.
I gave my son the 03 Envoy, and traded in my 03 Yukon Denali XL, which I could not tow, (all wheel drive), and bought an 04 Yukon to tow behind my Allure (Cummins 370).
I had used a Unified tow brake, (great piece of gear), but could not use it on the new Yukon, because the brakes had a hydraulic assist, not air, and I had to go to a brake system that uses air from the coach, and an air cylinder that you must mount to the brake pedal.
I don't like this new system, it does not offer proportional braking, you can notice the difference in how long it takes to stop, and is more trouble to hook/unhook.
Also cost an extra $900 to install.

Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912

Quote from: Thomas Sims
Does anyone use a GMC Yukon XL as a tow vehicle? If so, I'd love
to know how it works.

Quote
>

We have a large boat to tow at times and are considering the
purchase of a Yukon XL to use for moving the boat and then as a
toad. Currently use a Falcon 2 non-binding motorhome mounted tow
bar from Roadmaster which is absolutely great.

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10709
Bill,

I believe you are refering to the Denali version of the GMC, which is all wheel drive, and can't be towed.
I had an 03 Yukon Denali, and traded it for an 04 Yukon, which has the 2wheel/4wheel modes, and can easily be towed by popping it into freewheeling mode.

Quote from: bikerbill44
The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL is a bit nicer than the Chevy > Tahoe/Suburban line BUT and here is the bit thing, with the newer > GMC side of Gen Motors, you only have automatic 4 wheel drive (no > buttons to select). With the Chevy side of GM you have buttons

and

Quote
can put the transfer case into neutral so that you then have the > ability of flat-towing. Yes, obviously make sure the combined > weights don't exceed your RV limits AND add a Toad Braking

System.

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10724
Thanks for all the info Bill.

Did you ever enquire about the M & G braking system for the Yukon?

Tom

2002 Intrigue 36'
 

Re: GMC as a toad

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 10757
Tom,

No, I did not, Holland recommended this system, and because we were short on time, we had to go with it.

Bill Harris

Quote from: Thomas Sims

Thanks for all the info Bill.

Did you ever enquire about the M & G braking system for the Yukon? >
Tom

2002 Intrigue 36'