2005 Yukon XL

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Originally Posted By: CKN
Nate 1979-one could certainly try to prove they were safe over payload ratings-BUT IT WOULD BE A FORMIDABLE TASK.

IMHO-the OP is overloaded.
Going from an F250 to his potential Tahoe-is like going from a Cadillac to a Hyundai Accent.

Two totally different animals-one not suited to the task at hand.

As far as NOT being a ticketable offense-is this for Oregon?


This has been discussed at length on rv.net and no one has been able to point to laws or cases where people were ticketed for over the payload (anywhere in the US). Many persons had asked to LEOs, even some LEOs have posted directly that axle ratings and tire ratings are what the DOT road/bridge laws care about. This is assuming you are licensed to tow the weight you are towing.

What I disagree with as the other poster had mentioned is that people come on message boards screaming about payload without anything to back it up. Most of them have no clue. I wasn't saying in this case whether the poster was safe or not. What I'm saying is that payload is part of the equation but not a black or white area. Axle and tire ratings are much more important.

In this case it is a loaded 5500lb trailer. He very well could be well within all the ratings (7-800 tongue weight), but I would check axle and tire rating first, hitch rating second, and then see how it tows. The 5500lb is well..... within the rating of the truck. If within the rating of axle, tires, and hitch I would try it out.

I've heard those 4-speeds can be kind of weak so you may expect to rebuild it after towing heavy but they can be rebuilt stronger as they are so well known.



He will have 4 children in the car and his wife. He will have all the kids/wife stuff. Do you believe he will be at PAYLOAD-or even slightly over? Payload is what the manufacturer recommends the vehicle can handle. What's so difficult to understand? There is a chance you will be sued for exceeding payload. Then you can take your argument to a jury. Explain how all the components work and how then you can ignore what the manufacturer recommends. It will be interesting-but chances are you will settle out of court. BTW-unless you have ever been to court, you really don't understand how this process works.

I think this horse has now been buried and I'm not digging it up again.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
no one has been able to point to laws or cases where people were ticketed for over the payload (anywhere in the US).


let me know after you research highway weight stations, the purpose, need, and methodology behind their existence and come back and apologize for the hyperbole. thanks.

 

[addyguy]

It's ironic when this post came up, for me...

An older gentleman that I work with has a 2004 GMC Sierra 4WD with a 5.3. Over the last few days he has been negotiating on a travel trailer he is buying.

It is a 'deluxe' 21ft. trailer with a slide-out section. Don't know what it weighs, but it is essentially the same as the OP's trailer.

With this thread in mind, I asked if he had any reservations about towing it with his truck, and he looked at me surprised, and said "Oh no...it will be fine!"

I tend to agree...GM trucks are tough, and the 5.3 Vortec puts out more power and torque at lower rpm's than the 5.4 Ford.

 

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
Originally Posted By: Nate1979
no one has been able to point to laws or cases where people were ticketed for over the payload (anywhere in the US).


let me know after you research highway weight stations, the purpose, need, and methodology behind their existence and come back and apologize for the hyperbole. thanks.


I'm aware of the rules for weigh stations. Care to explain why you think this matters in this case of non commercial towing?

 

[95busa]

Since this thing never seems to die....I will tell you I (as a police officer) have written ONE ticket for towing too much (I wrote unsafe operation) when a dude crashed a single cab four cylinder S10 pulling a ford galaxy 500 on a two axle car trailer. I think the S10 was rated at 1000lbs. For those who have given good feedback on the durability of the Yukon XL and it's potential to last while towing, I thank you. For all of those who insist on answering the question that was never asked, then fail to understand why their unrequested input is not welcome, I am sure you constantly wonder why no matter where you live, the neighbors are always jerks. As a side note, the dude who was going to buy my truck did not have his loan approved, so this may take a bit longer.