2005 GMC Envoy (Denali) SUV question

johnnyringo · 06-29-2016, 06:54 AM

Wondering if any has towed their camper with this vehicle? I would appreciate their insight and experiences. Mine has the 5.3L V8. Thanks, JR

Mike484 · 06-29-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyringo

Wondering if any has towed their camper with this vehicle? I would appreciate their insight and experiences. Mine has the 5.3L V8. Thanks, JR

The Envoy is the mini SUV right? The 2009 Keystone brochure pictures a Trailblazer in front of a Passport. I would take a close look at your towing capacity and then chose the trailer to fit. I would think it could pull a lite weight one.

johnnyringo · 06-29-2016, 11:17 AM

No it's the full size GMC. Actual photo

{tpc} · 06-29-2016, 12:50 PM

I'm fairly certain that is a picture of a 2005 Yukon Denali XL. I can tell by the elongated back window, which in the Chevy class would make it a surburban. If that is the shorter back window(pics can be deceiving), than that is the non XL version which would put it in the class of a Tahoe.

That said I pull my trailer (listed in sig) with a 2007 tahoe and the 5.3l and it works just fine. I don't think I would get a larger trailer though, even if specs said I could. Maybe if I had the longer wheelbase of a surburban or yukon xl.

FWIW, the envoys do come with 5.3l v8. I think you still limited by the chassis as to its capability, but I know people who pull trailers similar to mine with them and they have had no issues. The i6 version of envoy can pull a trailer like mine, short distances over flat land at lower speeds like 50 mph. They don't really make for great tow vehicles imo. (been there, done that.)

johnnyringo · 06-29-2016, 01:09 PM

I intend to pull a Bullet Premier 22RBPR. I am wondering how the rear air suspension worked out and what do most folks do for rear view mirrors?

Mike484 · 06-30-2016, 05:42 AM

At 4,827 dry weight you should be fine. Make sure you get a weight distribution hitch with sway control.

Our dry weight is 5,500 and we pull with a GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab. Though we are probably at our max that we can pull with our truck and our wheel base is longer than yours, we have not had any problems yet. We pulled from Houston to Florida and back and all over Texas with no issues. I wouldnt try going through any mountain ranges though.

And for rear view mirrors, we have these; http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-mirrors/17895

notanlines · 06-30-2016, 05:49 AM

This is the info found online. Looks like you are in the envelope, but don't expect any mileage or plan many mountain ranges.
Towing capacity: 5,100 to 6,200 lb, Curb weight: 4,417 to 4,594 lbs, Engine: 4.2 L 6-cylinder, 5.3 L V8

PhilDeb · 06-30-2016, 07:37 AM

notanlines, that would be the Envoy as stated in the first post.

Later he showed the Yukon XL; not sure which he has.

If its the Envoy with the rear air suspension, make sure the bags don't leak or are even cracked and make sure to use a good WD hitch.

If you have the Yukon with rear coil springs and air leveling shocks, you should be fine. (unless you live in the rust belt and moisture has infiltrated the system)

Be sure to use a good WD hitch on it also though.

We have mirrors very similar to what Mike484 has. I wish the mirrors were about 3" longer just to have a better view but such is life.

Mike484 · 06-30-2016, 07:51 AM

Yea, make sure its a Yukon and not and Envoy, huge difference. Yukon is a full size SUV (short wheel base), Envoy is a mini SUV.

johnnyringo · 07-01-2016, 06:43 AM

I updated the photo with an actual photo of the car.
The original window sticker identifies it as a "2005 Envoy Denali 2WD (4 Door)"
The "Standard Equipment Mechanical" lists "Heavy Duty Trailering Equip."
3.42 Ratio, GVW ratiing- 6001 LBS, Vortec 5300 V-8 SFI Engine

The Owners Manual states Max Trailer Wt.- 5,900 lbs. and GCWR - 11,000 lbs.

I also have had the rear air suspension bags replaced.

Hope this clarifies what it is. Thanks folks, JR

**sourdough** · 07-01-2016, 07:55 AM

You need to check the stickers on the vehicle to get your specs. It looks like (from what I could find) you may have a payload of about 1000 - 1100 lbs and your GVW is around 5500 lbs. Your vehicle weight (4400-4500lbs?) plus the weight of trailer tongue, WDH and occupants could put you significantly over your GVW and/or payload. Also, what class of receiver do you have on the vehicle? Just some things to look into.

As was mentioned previously, this is a mini SUV so you want to go short and light with a trailer.

Ken / Claudia · 07-01-2016, 10:29 AM

I have almost the same vehicle 2002 trail blazer 4.2 with 3:73 rear extended wheel base. Manual says 5300 max trailer wt. GCWR 10,500.Payload wt. is listed as 1312 lbs. I would never tow my trailer with this vehicle. Maybe some like a pop up. My boat yes now that I put LT tires on it. The suspension is made for comfort and at that it is great, towing not so much.

johnnyringo · 07-02-2016, 04:33 AM

I checked the door sticker to confirm the GVRW. It's 6100# as stated in my previous post (#10). Tire size is 245/65 R17 Michelins. The hitch is a class 3. Based upon all the information I have found, I believe that it should be able to safely tow the 22 RBPR.

Ken / Claudia · 07-03-2016, 09:25 AM

This like most of these type of posts. The person has XX vehicle and now wants to get a TT. Great, ok with me. You likely have no towing experience with RVs or you would never have asked about it. You may be happy towing what you want with what you have. Do your family and the motoring public a service IF you feel that the trailer is controlling your vehicle ie, pushing you around, when traffic passes the wind pushes you over the lanes. You only go 35 mph in 65 zones. Get a bigger and better equipped tow vehicle. The pitch, yaw and roll of your vehicle when towing will be much different with just any 1/2 ton pickup for the better. Let us know how it works out good or bad or any questions.

johnnyringo · 07-07-2016, 03:02 AM

Update:

We took delivery of our TT. It's a Keystone Bullet Premier 22RBPR.
The purchase included a Curt WDH. W had to adjust he position of the Ball head to a lower position before we started home (150 mile drive). I have not been able to find any information on towing with our GMC's auto leveling rear air suspension. The trailer still tended to wander a bit, but was still easy to control. I stopped about half way at a Camping World and had an interesting conversation with a knowledgeable employee who came out and looked at our set up. Surprisingly, he disregarded the level of the front of the trailer (tongue) where the hitch attaches, but measured the actual trailer frame at the front and rear. Turns out the front was still higher than the rear! Go figure. So after I got home I reversed the the hitch and lowered the ball height about 3 inches. I then hooked up the trailer again and, measuring the frame to ground, the front is 1/4" lower than the rear!

Road test in the near future.

Ken / Claudia · 07-09-2016, 09:41 PM

With your readjustment it will tow better and sounds like maybe tow fine. Good Luck. Let us know.

bsmith0404 · 07-10-2016, 05:51 AM

Just looked at some of your numbers, with a GVWR of 6001 and a GCWR of 11,000, that means you are limited to a trailer GVWR of 4,999. Not sure why you would even want to attempt to tow a trailer with a GVWR of 6,500 lbs. Additionally, the max tow capability of your vehicle is also less than that. Personal opinion, you have too much trailer or not enough TV. You say it towed reasonably well. Most trailers do as long as conditions are good. The part that is not predictable and that you hope you never have to find out is how well it will recover from an emergency type situation. I've seen a lot of trailers that size with larger TVs blown over on the side of roads or in the ditch. Good luck, stay safe.

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