Why is There a Weight Distribution Towing Capacity on my 2007 GMC Yukon

Question:

Hello- the receiver on my Yukon says WEIGHT CARRYING 5000 lbs and WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING 10000lbs. Was does this men in the context of towing a boat? The receiver is 2 inches.

asked by: Ross

Expert Reply:

If you are unfamiliar with weight distribution systems check out the links I provided of the FAQ article and video on weight distribution systems.

Some vehicles and hitches will have two different towing capacities, one for without a weight distribution system and one for with a weight distribution. Since these systems help vehicles carry the weight of a trailer more evenly on your vehicle axles the rating for with a WD system will be higher than without.

Generally speaking you will want to use a WD system any time your trailer is 50 percent of the vehicles weight. So if the weight of your boat and trailer is more than that I would recommend you get a WD system.

The most important factor when picking out a WD system is the loaded tongue weight of your setup. This includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your Yukon. If you email me back with your loaded tongue weight I can help you pick out the best system for your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jameson C