Denali Tow Vehicle
 

I used our 2008 Yukon XL Denali to tow our boat and trailer which weighed 7200lbs. Tongue weight turned out to be 600lbs. She pulled nicely with no problems on a 1500 mile run. I have driven Yukons from base to the fully loaded model we owned. While the 6.2 sucks fuel significantly compared to the 5.3, for me, the power when pulling was required. Hope this helps. I always thought it was a shame the truck can't be ordered with the 6.2 engine without having to get the AWD system. If you don't require the power, I'd suggest the suburban all week long.

Thanks guys. It's feeling like my gut is being supported by everyone's experience. Even though the '08 burb still has the 4spd auto, I'll be happier with the selectable 4wd instead of the AWD.

I don't plan on towing more than 5k lbs so I don't need more than the 5.3L.

5.3L all day long if you are only towing 5K.

They can be had with 2wd, they started that in 2009 though :drink:

Denali
 

Figures, always immediately after I've already made the purchase, then they go ahead and change things to exactly like I would have wanted. No worries, 6 months ago I moved on to Mercedes GL Diesel power. Pulls the boat even better than the Denali. Just love how that diesel torque gets the job done.

If you really want to get nutty . . . get the burban and do a 6.2 swap in it. It's a direct drop in.

I do motor swaps just like this all the time. You can keep your current harness, and transmission. Then get a retune and you're ready to rock.

We have a 10 Yukon SLT 4wd, I love the looks, comfort, handling and powertrain, but I am disappointed on the fit and finish, it just seems like the plastic is cheaper than other vehicles I've owned and there's a lot of it.

My company car is a 2012 Taurus SEL and I think it has a better built interior than the Yukon and its worth half what they sell Yukons for, Still love the Yukon though

My wife has a Yukon Denail XL before we bought it I drove the Yukon with a 5.3. Its noticably less power than the 6.2. I would rather have on and off 4 wheel drive but its not an option. My wife gets around 14.5 in town and 16-18 highway. I don't tow with it, but for 5000 lbs you would be fine with either. As long as you don't mind a little less power the 5.3 will be cheaper to run.

I have an 03 Silverado SS with 6.0 and AWD, yes it gets 13 on average, but it will pull like a mule, and it does not turn a tire in monsoons, or in the snow up north when I go to visit....I love being able to outrun people light to light while towing. Bought the truck with 18000 on it, it ran 9.90 all day in the 1/8th mile...at 150000, it runs 9.41....I cant believe it picked up .5 a second in the eighth with 130000 more miles, but time slips dont lie!

If you are only towing 5K lbs the 5.3 will work great. I towed my 6500lb car and trailer with my 5.3 and it didn't even know it was there. Jeff Wurl