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Paul O
Bob
S. Fl
70 degrees here
Bob
S. Fl
I am about to take delivery of a 2001 Yukon XL LT 2500/8.1/4.10. (Ordered 9/3/00, delivery scheduled for 1/29/01).
I have noticed that the receiver hitches on these vehicles indicate that they have a maximum weight carrying capacity of 5000 lbs and a 600 lb tongue weight. The weight distribution capacity is much greater.
I will be towing a boat trailer weighing 8600 lbs. The trailer uses surge brakes and is not adaptable to a weight distribution system, and hence is designated as weight carrying.
This presents my question/problem:
The dealer insists that the 5000 maximum weight carrying capacity sticker on the hitch is referring to the bumper hitch, however as the capacity sticker is adhered to the platform receiver hitch itself, I do not have complete faith in what I feel is a "guess" by the dealer. Not that $300 more on top of a $46000 MSRP truck is a lot of money...but it is an annoyance nonetheless.
I find it interesting that GMC would produce a vehicle with a 12,000 lb towing capacity and then introduce a weak-link in the form of a 5000 lb capacity hitch that effectively limits the true capacity of the vehicle.
But since...it is my boat...(my NICE boat) that is being towed.. I want to make certain that the equipment I am using is compatible.
My question is this:
Does anyone truely know if the factory hitch is capable of towing the 8600 lb. boat?
If not, does anyone know of a GMC hitch that is compatible? .. the idea being that I prefer all of the equipment on the truck to be covered under the GMC warranty.
My research turns up a hitch made by Reese (TITAN) and another by Putnam that has a 10,000 lb weigth carrying capacity. Has anyone had experience installing those hitches?
Lastly...does aanyone need a factory hitch??? I have a feeling.... ~~~~~~~~
Thanks for your help.
PS. I did complain to the rep about your gripe at the 2000 auto show last year
Good Luck!
RCSutton
S. Fl
http://www.truckautoaccessories.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=9&User_ID=6340&st=4621&st2=-50912989&st3=81190567&CATID=6&Product_ID=10&count=1&Pcount=1&DETAIL=1
The after-market class V hitches with a 10K-12K weight-carrying rating should be fine.
http://www.reesehitch.com/selection.html
However, in reality, you are unlikely to have problems using the stock hitch unless your ball mount has a long moment arm. But for $200, it is probably not worth the risk.
RCSutton
S. Fl.
I would think that a side by side comparison of the factory service manuals for the GM trucks and subs would answer the question. Ok, who has one of each
Dave
Other than the way the options are presented and the slightly higher price, is there any other significant difference?
I personally prefer the cloth seats with kids (or for myself, for that matter - the leather/vinyl seats are not as comfortable). They are easy to clean with a damp rag and the upholstery attachment on a carpet cleaner every year or two. The cloth seats are more comfortable for climate extremes. Kids can easily scratch or tear leather from a loose rivet on their jeans or a pencil in their back pocket.
The bigger problem with kids is the carpet, particularly with the ridiculously ineffective "mats" that they provide on the Yukon/Burb. However, you can buy custom-fit mats that actually protect the carpet.
The one GMT00CK8 Service Manual covers the Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Yukon and the Yukon XL for the 2000 model year.
The 2001 model year WILL BE covered by the GMT01CK8 Service Manual - a set of four volumes if it is as large as the 2000 Service Manuals.
Yesterday "Helm" told me that the 2001 manuals may be ready by end of Feb. Whenever you call they just give you a date one or two months out.
Will look at my copy tomorrow and try to locate the wiring diagrams for the various models. Look for a post then.
Smile it`s good for the heart.
Don4341.
Young children and small adults have been killed by air bag deployment. This circuit should not be worked on by untrained back yard mechanics - in my lowly opinion. Accidental air bag deployment can severely harm or kill.
Having said the above, here is what I have learned from the 2000 service manual. On a pictorial displaying the Inflatable Restraint Component Zoning, they list item 9 as a "Inflatable Restraint IP Module Switch ( Pickup Only )
We have a problem in attempting to install a simple on off switch to disable the air bag. The difference between the Pickup and other modules is extensive.
There is a Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module ( SDM ) which has extra circuits in the pickup. These contact points do not show in the " Utilities " wiring diagram.
There is also an extra part known as a Inflatable Restraint IP Module Switch which is transistorized - NOT a common simple SPST switch. This switch wires to the SDM but the contact points are only there in the pickup.
If you modify this circuit - you may well be violating Federal Law. You also would open yourself to Legal Problems if a adult is injured due to you deletion of a safety feature on your truck.
Would suggest keeping the child in the rear where it`s safer anyway and use the front seat for medium or large sized adults.
Only one person`s view. I`m sure some will say do whatever is req`d. Your choice - just wanted you to think of several possible ramifications.
Sure the leather is likely to be easier to clean up, but I get the guy that cleans my upholstery/carpets at home to do the cloth interior of the 4RNR and it comes out looking and smelling good. I have a 2 year old and did have 3 dogs that rode frequently. The biggest issue with leather in the burb is that it only comes with front buckets and not the bench seat versions. In order to get leather it costs one seating position. I find the bench seat more comfortable than the buckets. The center console is a waste of space as well. If black leather were available in bench seats I'd say get that, but it's not. I don't think that grey or light tan leather are going to be very easy to keep clean.
BTW I had a 99 sierra LT, w buckets/grey leather and I now have a 'burb LS w grey cloth.
I went with the standard axle ratio, 3.42, on my Yukon in order to get the best gas mileage and because I do not tow anything.
A 3.73 gear needs 3.73 turns of the driveshaft to turn the axle 1 turn. A 4.10 dear needs 4.1. Pretty obvious so far. If you have to indicate 1,000 rpm on the tachometer to drive 60 mph - which may be fairly close to reality - with a 3.73 gear that means that in 1 minute you will travel 1 mile and use 1,000 turns of the engine. A 4.10 gear is about 10% greater than the 3.73, actually 9.92%, but close enough for govt. work. That means that with everything else left the same, if you slipped a set of 4.1 gears in the truck, it would indicate 1,100 rpm on the tach at 60 mph. That's an extra 100 turns per mile. Not very much, but in 100 miles that's 10,000 turns of the engine, or 100,000 for a 1,000 mile trip.
Not real scientific, but basically if you tow alot its good to have the 4.10 gears, better start up and better pull up hills; if the vast majority of your driving is around town or highway with nothing hooked to the back, 3.73 gears will work great.
Rich
I am trying to decide today on a 2500 XL or a Denali XL, with the 3.73 only available. I am towing 8000/trailer lb boat in relative flat country and don't think I will ever be anywhere else. I may tow a 7,500 Travel Trailer in hill conditions though. I like the Denali and pulled my boat over a high rise brige on demo and it seemed to have enough power. It felt a litte car like with the extra tonge weight. Will a longer wheel base XL improve on this?? I have been towing both with my Tahoe, 3.42 ratio in drive, with no real problems, other than a little strain with the trailer in steep hills. I went down a size in tires 245/235 and improved my ratio to 3.60. Pulled better! I am thinking of going with the 6.0 in a 2500XL and installing bigger tires (245/265/275) to reduce the ratio back to the 3.90/3.80 area. Would I see an improvment in fuel consumption if I did this? (hiway, non towing.) Any input appreciated. I have sold my Tawhoe and need to buy a new one this week skipjack2 rcr@gbso.net