Need advice on how to fix “another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into.”

[Abelville]

I bought a 2013 Yukon 4X4, SLE, 88,000 miles with what looked like the towing package: 7 pin connector, hitch, tow mode switch. And…..then, after signing on the dotted line – found out it had the dreaded 3.08 gear setup. Max payload on this Yukon = 1606, Tow capacity is 5200 lbs. I had thought I was getting the heavy duty tow package with 3.42 gears and K5L cooling. I knee jerked the purchase without better investigation and now I’m in suffer mode. I really love the vehicle’s looks, feel, driving, MPG, and if I can somehow make this work, I could become a happy camper. Also, I possibly shot myself in the foot by buying an extended warranty through AUL for 100000 miles/5 years for the drive train. I called AUL and asked them if I could install a transmission cooler, and they said my contract has no restrictions. Just have the shop doing the installation call them first. Still worries me. I realize that nothing I can do will raise the legal tow capacity. I’m wondering if adding an auxiliary transmission cooler, and possibly 3.73 gear, axel could make it safer. I have towed this same trailer for 4 years (Eight – 50 to 200 mile trips per summer) with a Buick Enclave + factory tow package with a capacity of 4500 lbs. Never had a problem with this setup, and actually went from Michigan to Wyoming and back 1 time and it did just fine. It (Buick) started getting on in years and miles (127,000) and I decided to retire it to just being my work vehicle. I realize that the Buick/Trailer setup is iffy looking by the weight police. And the Yukon is only 700 lb improvment on tow capacity.

Here are some specs of the Trailer and Yukon.

Trailer is a 2017 KZ Escape 191BH:

446 tongue weight

3233 unloaded trailer weight

4000 - GVWR

3922 actual scale weight for camping, Yukon weight 5467, + 780 for people and luggage = 10169

Total weight allotment for Yukon, trailer, and people, cargo 11,000

Any votes for:

• Keep the Yukon and add transmission cooler ($300)
• Keep the Yukon and add transmission cooler, and 3.73 gears (4X4 so two axels = $4000)
• Sell it (take a big loss) and buy an Expedition with HD TRAILER PACKAGE THIS TIME……. Wife says it has to be an SUV.

I really appreciate your help on this.

 

[Chargerman]

Seems to me that if you have towed the trailer with an Enclave you shouldn’t have any issues. I think you will find that the Yukon tows way better. You probably will need to keep it out of overdrive gear or it will be constantly searching gears. I would hitch up the trailer and take it for a run

 

[Jim]

• Keep the Yukon and add transmission cooler, and 3.73 gears (4X4 so two axels = $4000)

I really appreciate your help on this.

What size of wheels and who suggested 3.73 gears? Is that some sort of standard?

 

[Abelville]

What size of wheels and who suggested 3.73 gears? Is that some sort of standard?

 

[Abelville]

My tires are 18s - Stock. I just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. The trailer is winterized and with the snowy roads now, I don't want to hitch up and take her for a spin till spring. The 3.73 seem to be the standard for towing from what I've read surfing the forums. I don't have to be the fastest out of the gate, though, I really just want my gears to last either by cooling if necessary, or better towing gears + cooling. Five years from now when I retire, then I'll be on the hunt for a towing beast.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I bought a 2013 Yukon 4X4, SLE, 88,000 miles with what looked like the towing package: 7 pin connector, hitch, tow mode switch. And…..then, after signing on the dotted line – found out it had the dreaded 3.08 gear setup. Max payload on this Yukon = 1606, Tow capacity is 5200 lbs. I had thought I was getting the heavy duty tow package with 3.42 gears and K5L cooling. I knee jerked the purchase without better investigation and now I’m in suffer mode. I really love the vehicle’s looks, feel, driving, MPG, and if I can somehow make this work, I could become a happy camper. Also, I possibly shot myself in the foot by buying an extended warranty through AUL for 100000 miles/5 years for the drive train. I called AUL and asked them if I could install a transmission cooler, and they said my contract has no restrictions. Just have the shop doing the installation call them first. Still worries me. I realize that nothing I can do will raise the legal tow capacity. I’m wondering if adding an auxiliary transmission cooler, and possibly 3.73 gear, axel could make it safer. I have towed this same trailer for 4 years (Eight – 50 to 200 mile trips per summer) with a Buick Enclave + factory tow package with a capacity of 4500 lbs. Never had a problem with this setup, and actually went from Michigan to Wyoming and back 1 time and it did just fine. It (Buick) started getting on in years and miles (127,000) and I decided to retire it to just being my work vehicle. I realize that the Buick/Trailer setup is iffy looking by the weight police. And the Yukon is only 700 lb improvment on tow capacity.

Here are some specs of the Trailer and Yukon.

Trailer is a 2017 KZ Escape 191BH:

446 tongue weight

3233 unloaded trailer weight

4000 - GVWR

3922 actual scale weight for camping, Yukon weight 5467, + 780 for people and luggage = 10169

Total weight allotment for Yukon, trailer, and people, cargo 11,000

Any votes for:

• Keep the Yukon and add transmission cooler ($300)
• Keep the Yukon and add transmission cooler, and 3.73 gears (4X4 so two axels = $4000)
• Sell it (take a big loss) and buy an Expedition with HD TRAILER PACKAGE THIS TIME……. Wife says it has to be an SUV.

I really appreciate your help on this.

Looks as though you are within the weight specs for the Yukon. 446 tongue weight + 780 for people and luggage = 1226. From this number add the number of gals. of gas at 6.3 lbs / gal. or ~ 126 lbs. (446+780+126)=1352. (1352/1606)*100 = 84% A 3922 lb camper loaded is below the 5200 tow weight spec for the Yukon. (3922/5200)*100 = 75%

I agree, for the most part, to keep the Yukon in a gear range lower than normal drive. Usually, the TOW mode automatically does this.

Do the math, but I seem to feel you're OK at about 84% of the max payload.

 

[Abelville]

Thanks for filling in so

Looks as though you are within the weight specs for the Yukon. 446 tongue weight + 780 for people and luggage = 1226. From this number add the number of gals. of gas at 6.3 lbs / gal. or ~ 126 lbs. (446+780+126)=1352. (1352/1606)*100 = 84% A 3922 lb camper loaded is below the 5200 tow weight spec for the Yukon. (3922/5200)*100 = 75%

I agree, for the most part, to keep the Yukon in a gear range lower than normal drive. Usually, the TOW mode automatically does this.

Do the math, but I seem to feel you're OK at about 84% of the max payload.

 

[Abelville]

Thanks for the info. I'm glad you filled in some things I didn't think of. If I use tow/haul mode will that keep it out of overdrive and reduce gear searching? Would you add an auxiliary transmission cooler? Thanks! Al

 

[bherron1]

Tires can be changed to a smaller size to change gear ratio if not needing ground clearance and recalibrate speedometer to work correctly. If not to slow from a stop if you choose a lower top gear you just got your lower gear ratio for free. I have a 10 speed but hardly ever run over 8 unless unloaded on the interstate. Wala changed gear ratio for free.