Pete280

I posted a lot of questions during my boat search about towing with our Yukon, got a 30 Concept about 3 weeks ago but I used a buddies truck to pick it up. I towed the boat to the upolstery shop today and it did OK, it was a short trip but I felt fine pulling and breaking, the only issue I can see is the soft suspension, it bounced a little on the city streets I was on and can imagine on the highway it would get bouncy, it doesnt help that all my weight is on the last 2' of the boat.

What would help with the ride? air bags? How easy are they for a DIY'er to install?

509 SC

Air bags are an easy install, they'll definitely make a difference by firming up the suspension and any rear end sag. You might want to consider an on board compressor to fill the bags when towing, unless you have a compressor handy at home. Is that Yukon an XL, what's the weight of the rig?

Revd Up

I have a Yukon Denali and have towed mine thousands of miles. It gets 10 miles a gallon towing and does an adequate job. A diesel would be much better but that's what I have. I have about a 600 lb tongue weight and it tows straight and true. The Denali has an automatic air suspension which adjusts for the trailer weight. My boat weighs 6450 full of fuel and gear. I would not want to pull much bigger than I have with this truck.

Pete280

I agree this is just about the biggest boat I would tow with a Yukon (it's not a XL), Concept list the 30 at 4300 dry so add 1100 for motors, 1800 trlr, 800-1000 fuel/gear I'm at around 8000 lbs.

So if I went cheap and did manual air bags, I inflate them before I tow and then deflate when I get home? I have only seen the automatic kits.

509 SC

The manuals will get it done the cheapest, as far as onboard compressors, they have ones you activate in the cab or the no-touch automatic one (similar to the Denali Auto-Ride). I just put auto (Smart Compressor) on my GMC 3/4 diesel but haven't towed the boat with it yet. It's really sensitive to weight changes. I dropped my buddy off the other day, and it bled off air to level the truck. I guess he's got to go on a diet!

buckknekkid

I'm thinking 8500 pounds with my Z71 Suburban. Leave the SRX for groceries

soldier4402

http://shop.airliftcompany.com/produ...E_LOAD_SUPPORT

soldier4402

can someone explain air bags quick. Got the concept and install phase, but when I was just looking there are like 2000lb and 5000lb, which one to get. IS the weight just telling you what they support or is that their failure weight?

FIXX

iTrader: (2)

i would use a weight distribution receiver with 1000 lb spring bars..read your hitch,500 lbs tongue weight max and 5000lb max weight with out the distribution receiver and i think around 7500 with the distribution..if anything make sure you use a solid receiver..

fireboatpilot

So I'll ask since no one else has so far. Is the bounce because of the suspension on the Yukon or is the tongue weight too light? If the tongue is too light then air bags aren't going to help and you'll need to somehow get more weight onto the tongue. If the trailer is balanced properly then yes the bags will help however they do not increase your vehicle manfg. towing capacity and IF you where to have an incident your insurance co will most likely not pay.