Towing capacity of 03 Denali XL

[yss]

I don't know the towing capacity, but a friend says I shouldn't be towing a 31 baja with my Denali. I only tow it about 4 blocks to the ramp, but what about a long trip? We are planning on going to LOTO - 500mi. in August.

I know this is a frequent topic, but i'm too lazy to search the old threads!

Thanks for the info.

Bryan

[GoCiggie31]

my denali has a 8100 limit

[GoCiggie31]

Fyi...we also live a couple blocks to the launch ramp and our Denali works great using a new boat trailer with super brakes...but for long trips we have a local Ford dlr that rents F250-350 trucks that we use for our trips over the Sierra mountains and out to SF bay +150 miles to keep the Denali fresh...just an option. Also I think your xl may have a 8000 lb rating:


Info below pulled from web site Woodalls Open Road:
'That Denali is a 1500 based truck. Denali gets the highest option package.
The tow rating is derived from a curb weight Suburban, or a "stripper" with no options, one 150 lb driver, no other people, no luggage, no pets, no cargo, no AC, no stereo, no 2nd/3rd row seats, no spare, no upgraded interior, etc. So the 8,000 lb tow rating is more than your truck is rated for.
Ditto the "dry" weight of a TT. It's the "stripper" model with no propane, no spare, no battery, no AC, no microwave, no upgraded anything, no food, no water, no golf clubs, no cannoe, no clothes, no awning, nothing. Your TT will weigh much more than the 1,100 lbs you think you'll be adding to the 5,190 lb dry weight. I'd guess closer to 7,000 lbs.
Why best to actually weigh your setup, axle by axle and both empty and fully loaded.
Use this generic formula to figure your setup capacities. GCWR >= TV GVWR + TT GVWR where TV GVWR includes the hitch system weight and the TT tongue weight (GVWR based). Your Denali will get into rear GAWR and GVWR trouble way easy.

Know that the 4l65E and 12 bolt diff are weak components towing this heavy. Also the "P" rated tires are not a good class of tire towing this heavy. Consider moving up to the next higher class tire, LT rated.
If full time, or whatever it's called, the viscous coupling in the transfer case is suspect towing this heavy.
Hope your diff ratio is high numeric, as that will help towing heavy. Also if you have oversized tires or suspension lifted, that reduces tow capacity even more. '


By-the-way, what is the weight of the 31 Baja?



Good luck

[wannabe]

Rent a dually for the long trip. The Denali XL is based on the 1500 chassis and might break during a long trip with that much weight.

wannabe

[yss]

Thanks for the input gociggie and wanabe. The Baja weighs 6500 w/o trailer. So I figure with 4 adults and gear we would be overweight. So to plan B.

Better safe than sorry.

Thanks

[masher44]

On my third tranny with my 01 XL Denali towing a 29 Fever.... not made for towing much distance or hills