TJHUB
Wisconsin
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Joined: 07/14/2008
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I have a 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 5.3L with the towing package. I just upgraded from a pop-up camper to my 2008 Puma 27FQ. We just returned from a maiden voyage and all went really well except for the towing.
My 27FQ's total dry weight is 5,350#. I don't carry any fresh water and I'm guessing I only put about 1,000# max in the TT itself when I loaded for this latest trip. I'm estimating I have about an additional 650# in the truck.
My towing experience was a little strange. I was trying to figure out at what RPM the truck worked better. I couldn't figure it out!
My trip was approximately 95 miles one way. I started out on the Interstate trying to maintain 65-67 and it was near impossible. Any long grade up hill would mean losing speed fast and the truck would drop into 2nd and rev the motor to 4,000-5,000 rpm. The whole time I'm thinking: "this is really bad".
Then, about 40 miles into the trip, I turned off the Interstate and proceded slightly North East from mainly going mostly North or slightly North West. Things got tremendously better. I immediately realized that the strong winds were the problem. I could now much more easily maintain speed and 2nd gear was only used when I had to slow down below 45-50 mph. I was feeling much better, and the rest of the trip went ok.
My ride home today was for the most part decent. The truck lost mph up hills and slight grades, but it wasn't horrible like the trip out was. Running home that last 40 miles on the Interstate was much better, although not great at all. The truck really didn't need 2nd gear, but maintaining a steady 65 mph was impossible. I tried getting to around 70 mph at the start of any up hill grade, and I'd often be around 62 at the top. Once or twice I got into the area of 58 mph.
I hope this paints a good picture about what I went through. I had no intension of getting a TT, that was the wife's doing. I'm really happy with the TT. It's such a big improvement over our pop-up for camping. I just need to get towing better somehow...
I'd like to either upgrade the truck or improve the power in this one. While I'd love a 2500 Suburban with a bigger motor, I'm just not certain that will work for me financially. I'm going to look around and see what's out there and quantify the cost.
My real question is whether or not I can do something with this truck. I'm not against doing something with the motor like a supercharger. I don't know much about Chevy/GMC truck motors yet, but I've built a few Audi motors and I've done extensive work with large turbo setups on them. I also do all of my own motor work shy of pistons and rings which I leave to the pros.
Comments?
ME '68
DW '69
DS '98
DD '00
2004 GMC Yukon XL 5.3L (4X4)
2008 PUMA 27FQ
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USAFBILL
Alabama
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Joined: 09/20/2002
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In my opinion you do not have enough truck for what your pulling. You might try lowering your speeds to the 55 - 60 mph.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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first step before you do anything is to go and find out what your truck weighs, what the trailer weighs and what the combo weighs together. Then tell us those numbers along with the numbers you have for your truck - what's it's max tow capacity is and what it's GVWR is.
Could be your close to the max on the numbers of your truck or could be you are expecting it to tow as if nothing is there. Guess what? Your pulling a huge piece of plywood in the wind and that frontage area gives a lot of resistance. I believe that your experience is normal. Those speeds are fairly decent for hills and mountains.
BTW: I NEVER tow over 62 mph for safety. Also, your trailer tires are rated for 65 mph max anyway so I think you need to slow down and smell the roses IMO 
2007 GMC Yukon Denali - 6.2L 380hp/417ft-lbs,0-60 in 6.2 seconds
2007 Jayco Jayflight 27BH
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Visited a lot of states, haven't camped in many...yet. 
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JFordBronco
Ball, LA
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Joined: 06/11/2008
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Keep it slow and get there alive. You could also change the gears in the rearened/front end too if a 4wd - it will atleast give you a little easier time getting going. As far as getting rid of the truck, maybe look into a Titan or a Tundra if you dont want to go to a 2500. Just my opinion...good luck and let us know
2007 Nissan Titan Off-Road w/ leveling kit---THIS THING IS A PIECE OF JUNK
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Me, wife, one little girl and one little boy
all along for the ride.
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2007Rockwood2601
IL
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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What gear you have? My 03 Express van with a 5.3 3.73 gear pulls my 4700 lb trailer just fine. I am maxed out at 12K total weight loaded. Most of the time I pull with the tow Haul on and OD off. The only time it ever downshifts to 2nd on the highway is through the mountains.
2003 Chevy 1500 Express AWD 5.3 3.73's
Husky round bar
P3 brake controller
2007 Rockwood 2601SS
12K loaded
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irishguy101
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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Slow down and get there safe also, there is no rush enjoy the ride.
Just remember most ST tires Mfgs don't want you to excede 60 mph
 Joe  Dianne
and Spanky  a Jack Russell
2004 Durango Limited w/Hemi
2005 Sunline T280 SR
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mike54
Woodstock,IL
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Joined: 04/23/2005
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our trip to Door county over the 4th was that way but most of it worse I struggled to hold 55-60 mph on flats road on the hills forget it.
that week I traded my 1/2 ton truck with 5.9 3:55 gears in for a 2500HD 6.0 4:10 gears this weekends trip up to Nekoosa WI was great drive.
Mike
2008 ZT25RK CrossRoads Zinger
Wi. rallys attended  IL. Rallys
2002 Silverado crew cab 2500HD 6.0 4:10 gears
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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I agree with havedreamwilltravel - welcome to the world of full-height towing. Sounds fairly normal to me, especially if you had headwinds. And slow down. As already mentioned, trailer tires aren't usually rated for more than 65 mph. You'll save wear & tear on the tires and the truck, and you'll save gas.
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TJHUB
Wisconsin
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Joined: 07/14/2008
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First, I know it's not going to pull like it's not there. I've towed many boats over the years, but this is just plain different. I guess wind isn't such a factor for boats (better aerodynamic shape and all).
I'm happy to hear most seem to think what I experienced is "normal". Slowing down isn't a big deal for me. I'm getting to an age where I do need to "smell the roses". That's one reason why I started camping.
mike54: Funny thing; it was Door County. We were just North of Sturgen Bay this weekend.
I wasn't expecting so many posts so fast. I was just outside cleaning the rig when I started to think myself that this was fairly normal. For the 7 or so trips we make for a total of maybe 1,500 miles per season, maybe this will be fine just the way things are. I just hope you understand that I'm new to towing this heavy and I've never towed something with the wind resistance of the broad side of a barn before...
Thanks.
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CrownandCoke
Kansas City, mo
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Joined: 06/24/2008
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Just my opinion but the 5.3 is pretty much worthless as a tow vehicle. Its a great motor but GM has turned the half ton truck into a big ol grocery getter. For a few trips a year it would be fine. I pull all over the country 7-9 months of the year so it was duramax for me. Actually the mileage (for my uses) offsets the cost of the vehicle even with the price difference of fuel.
Just take it easy, take you time and if she starts shifting all over the place forget about the tow/haul button and shift out of OD.
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