2018 GMC YUKON XL Owners Manual

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
264 Driving and Operating Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Yukon Denali 2WD 3.23 3 810 kg (8,400 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon Denali AWD 3.23 3 674 kg (8,100 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon XL Denali 2WD 3.23 3 674 kg (8,100 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon XL Denali AWD 3.23 3 583 kg (7,900 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
*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.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Yukon 2WD 3.42 3 856 kg (8,500 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon AWD 3.42 3 719 kg (8,200 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon XL 2WD 3.42 3 765 kg (8,300 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
Yukon XL AWD 3.42 3 629 kg (8,000 lb) 6 350 kg (14,000 lb)
*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.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 265Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
Yukon 2WD 3.08 2 948kg (6,500 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
Yukon AWD 3.08 2 858 kg (6,300 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
Yukon XL 2WD 3.08 2 858kg (6,300 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
Yukon XL AWD 3.08 2 671 kg (6,000 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
*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.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (1) 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 0 200 for more
information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
In general, trailer tongue weight (1)
should be 10-15 % of the loaded
trailer weight (2). Some specific
trailer types (especially boat trailers)

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
266 Driving and Operating fall outside of this range. In this
case, the recommended tongue
weight in the trailer owner ’ s manual
should be observed. In all cases,
the maximum loads for the vehicle
series and hitch type should not be
exceeded. Vehicle Series Hitch Type Maximum Tongue
Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lb)
1500 Weight Distributing 453 kg (1,000 lb)
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.
Trailer rating may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue 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 ” following.
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. If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than
half of the maximum allowable
tongue weight for the vehicle or 227
kg (500 lb), whichever is less.
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 center pillar or see Vehicle Load
Limits 0 200 . 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

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 267not 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 ” in
Trailer Towing 0 262 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
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure distance (2) before
coupling the trailer to the hitch ball.
Measure the height again after the
trailer is coupled and adjust the
spring bars so the distance (2) is as
close as possible to halfway
between the two measurements.
Safety Chains Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. If the trailer being
towed weighs up to 2 271 kg
(5,000 lb) with a factory-installed
step bumper, safety chains may be
attached to the attaching points on
the bumper, otherwise, safety
chains should be attached to holes
on the trailer hitch platform. Always
leave just enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
268 Driving and Operating Trailer Brakes A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lb) must be
equipped with its own brake system,
with brakes working on all axles.
Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State and local regulations may also
require the trailer to have its own
braking system if loaded above a
certain threshold. These
requirements vary from state to
state.
Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly. These
requirements vary from state to
state.
Do not tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic brake system.
Since the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer brakes cannot
tap into the vehicle's hydraulic
system. Trailer Wiring Harness The seven-pin trailer connector is
mounted in the bumper. This
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer.
Use only a round, seven-wire
connector with flat blade terminals
meeting SAE J2863 specifications
for proper electrical connectivity.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.
Yellow/Grey: Left Stop/Turn
Signal
.
Green/Violet: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.
Grey/Brown: Taillamps
.
White: Ground
.
White/Green: Back-up Lamps
.
Red/Green: Battery Feed
.
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
To help charge a remote
(non-vehicle) battery, press the Tow/
Haul Mode button at the end of the
shift lever. If the trailer is too light for Tow/Haul Mode, turn on the
headlamps to help charge the
battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller.
The harness should be installed by
your dealer or a qualified service
center.
Tow/Haul Mode

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 269Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0 222 .
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 % of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “ Weight of the Trailer ” under
Trailer Towing 0 262 . Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through
rolling terrain. .
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
.
When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load. Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle ’ s brake
system, and on the type of trailer
brakes detected. This available
power output to the trailer brakes
can be adjusted to a wide range of
trailering situations.
The ITBC system is integrated with
the vehicle ’ s brake, antilock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle ’ s

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
270 Driving and Operating antilock brake or StabiliTrak
systems to activate, power sent to
the trailer's brakes will be
automatically adjusted to minimize
trailer wheel lock-up. This does not
imply that the trailer has StabiliTrak.
If the vehicle ’ s brake, antilock brake,
or StabiliTrak systems are not
functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make sure
all of these systems are fully
operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered
through the vehicle's electrical
system. Turning the ignition off will
also turn off the ITBC system. The
ITBC system is fully functional only
when the ignition is in on.
{ Warning
Connecting a trailer that has an
air brake system may result in
reduced or complete loss of trailer
braking. There may be an
increase in stopping distance or
(Continued) Warning (Continued) trailer instability which could
result in personal injury or
damage to the vehicle, trailer,
or other property. Use the ITBC
system only with electric or
electric over hydraulic trailer
brakes.
Trailer Brake Control Panel
1. Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever
2. Trailer Gain Adjustment
Buttons The ITBC system has a control
panel on the instrument panel to the
left of the steering column. The
control panel allows adjustment to
the amount of output, referred to as
Trailer Gain, available to the trailer
brakes and allows manual
application of the trailer brakes. The
Trailer Brake Control Panel is used
along with the Trailer Brake Display
Page on the DIC to adjust and
display power output to the trailer
brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC system displays
messages in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The display page indicates Trailer
Gain setting, power output to the
trailer brakes, trailer connection, and
system operational status.
To display the Trailer Brake Display
Page do any of the following:
.
Scroll through the DIC menu
pages.
.
Press a Trailer Gain button.
If the Trailer Brake Display Page
is not currently displayed, press

GMC Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-11349262) - 2018 - crc - 6/21/17
Driving and Operating 271a Trailer Gain button to recall the
current Trailer Gain setting.
Each press and release of the
gain buttons will then change the
Trailer Gain setting.
.
Activate the Manual Trailer
Brake apply lever.
TRAILER GAIN: This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
To adjust the Trailer Gain, press one
of the Trailer Gain adjustment
buttons. Press and hold a gain
button to continuously adjust the
Trailer Gain. To turn the output to
the trailer off, adjust the Trailer Gain
setting to 0.0 (zero).
TRAILER OUTPUT: Displays any
time a trailer with electric brakes is
connected. Output to the trailer
brakes is based on the amount of
vehicle braking present and relative
to the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 100% for each
gain setting. The Trailer Output will indicate “ - - -
- - - ” on the Trailer Brake Display
Page whenever the following occur:
.
No trailer is connected.
.
A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
displayed).
.
A trailer with electric brakes has
become disconnected (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
.
There is a fault present in the
wiring to the trailer brakes (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC).
.
The ITBC system is not working
due to a fault (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message will also display in
the DIC).
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
lever is used to apply the trailer ’ s
electric brakes independent of the
vehicle ’ s brakes. Sliding the lever to the left will apply only the trailer
brakes. Use this lever to adjust
Trailer Gain to properly adjust the
power output to the trailer brakes.
The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle brakes or manual trailer
brakes are applied.
Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and must
be adjusted any time vehicle
loading, trailer loading, or road
surface conditions change.
{ WarningTrailer brakes that are
over-gained or under-gained may
not stop the vehicle and the trailer
as intended and can result in a
crash. Always follow the
instructions to set the Trailer Gain
for the proper trailer stopping
performance.