How to Select Correctly-Rated Weight Distribution System for Travel Trailer Towed by 2005 Yukon
Question:
I have a 2005 GMC Yukon SLT 4wd with 5.3 motor. I have been looking for a camper for months, and found one and jumped on it. Now I am in a predicament... Im not sure what system to use. The trailer is a 36.5 nomad camper weighing in at 5800 pounds approximately. My research has shown me that this trailer is towable by my truck... but I know or at least as far as I can tell that the hitch weight is over my dead weight limit 500 at 800 lbs. I will be using this trailer to go to VA from NY in may... I need the best system I can buy that will keep the trailer strait and off the ground, as well as my family safe. Im hoping I didnt just blow a bunch of money on something that I cant tow. From my looking through the various websites and whatnot, you seem like the people to ask about this. Hope you can help! Thank you for your time.
asked by: Shawn P
Expert Reply:
Towing capacity for the 2005 GMC Yukon SLT varies from 5700-lbs to 6500-lbs depending on the specific equipment installed. This means the engine, of course, but it also includes the transmission and rear axle ratio and other factors.
The best way to confirm your vehicle's towing capacity is to find the driver's door jamb sticker. Find the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) and from this subtract the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). The difference is the maximum trailer weight that can be towed. If you have any doubt just check with your local GMC dealership using the truck's VIN.
A properly-rated weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitch can often allow a vehicle to tow a heavier trailer than it can without one. Page 4-67 of the online manual for the 2005 Yukon indicates that the most trailer tongue weight it can handle is 600-lbs WITHOUT a WD hitch. The maximum WITH a WD system climbs to 1000-lbs for the 1500 series and 1500-lbs with the 2500 series.
The key to choosing a WD/SC system is knowing the actual fully-loaded trailer tongue weight (TW), by measuring with a scale # e99044, and to this measured figure adding the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a generator or loaded cooler. With this combined weight figure known you can choose a system.
Your total TW figure should fall in the middle of the system's operating range. For example, if you measure the loaded trailer TW as 600-650-lbs and you have 100-lbs of cargo in it (behind the rear axle) then this 700-750-lb total would make system # EQ37100ET from Equal-I-zer a good choice since it works over a TW range of 600- to 1000-lbs. This system also features integrated sway prevention to help keep the trailer from swaying in the first place.
The linked article and video will also help you. Please feel free to tell me your total measured TW and I will be glad to offer recommendations.
Products Referenced in This Question
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
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