2011 GMC YUKON trailer

Black plate (77,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-77
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this
so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance. If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
panel will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a
lower gear
beforestarting down a
long or steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down,
the brakes might get hot and no
longer work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. The tow/haul mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑25.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see Engine Overheating
on page 10‑21.

Black plate (78,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-78 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive and has a two-speed transfer
case, be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear and not in
N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll. (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when on fairly
level ground, use the steps that
follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If the transfer case on a
four-wheel-drive vehicle is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).

Black plate (79,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-79
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip. Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a hybrid engine,
see the Hybrid supplement for more
information.
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
See
New Vehicle Break-In on
page 9‑28 for more information.
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not
work well—or even at all. The
driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
Notice: Pulling a trailer
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section.

Black plate (80,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-80 Driving and Operating
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used.
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature and how much
the vehicle is used to pull a trailer
are all important. It can depend on
any special equipment on the
vehicle, and the amount of tongue
weight the vehicle can carry. See
“Weight of the Trailer Tongue”later
in this section for more information. Trailer weight rating (TWR) is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle
has only the driver but all required
trailering equipment. Weight of
additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow
vehicle must be subtracted from the
trailer weight rating.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.

Black plate (81,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-81
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
1500 Series 2WD Short Wheel Base 5.3L V8 (LC9) 3.082 540 kg (5,600 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) 3.082 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 856 kg (8,500 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 540 kg (5,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 674 kg (8,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Short Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 586 kg (5,700 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 720 kg (8,200 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 5.3L V8 (LC9) 3.082 268 kg (5,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 629 kg (8,000 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)

Black plate (82,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-82 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
2500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices,
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
very important because it is also
part of the vehicle weight. The
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle as well as trailer tongue weight. Vehicle options, equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehicle
reduce the amount of tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle
can tow. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑23 for more information
about the vehicle's maximum load
capacity.

Black plate (83,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-83
Trailer tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent to 15 percent and fifth
wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight
should be 15 to 25 percent of the
loaded trailer weight (B) up to the
maximums for vehicle series and
hitch type shown below:Vehicle Series Hitch Type
Maximum Tongue
Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lbs)
2500 Weight Carrying 453 kg (1,000 lbs)
1500 Weight Distributing 499 kg (1,100 lbs)
2500 Weight Distributing 680 kg (1,500 lbs)
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue or kingpin weight
cannot cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating). See
“Total
Weight on the Vehicle's Tires” later
in this section for more information.
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.

Black plate (84,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-84 Driving and Operating
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification label
on the drivers door or seeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑23 for more
information. Make sure not to
exceed the GVWR limit for the
vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the tow
vehicle and trailer fully loaded for
the trip including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, make sure not to
exceed the RGAWR before applying
the weight distribution spring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings —GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the tow vehicle and trailer combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual weights
for each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control. Most
small-to-medium trailers can be
towed with a weight carrying hitch
which simply features a coupler
latched to the hitch ball. Larger
trailers may require a weight
distributing hitch that uses spring
bars to distribute the trailer tongue
weight among the two vehicle and
trailer axles. See
“Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” inTrailer Towing on
page 9‑79 for rating limits with
various hitch types.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.
Weight‐Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.