Does Towing Capacity of 2005 GMC Yukon Increase If Air Bag Kit is Installed on Rear Axle
Question:
I own a 2005 GMC Yukon Denali Im towing a Jayco Jay Flight 26 RLS dry weight is about 6700 pounds with everything in there Im probably about 7,500 pounds I want to know how much a set of Air Lift air bags inside the coil springs at the rear of the Yukon will improve my towing capacity by how much or not at all thank you
asked by: Glenn S
Expert Reply:
Adding a set of Air Lift rear-axle air springs # AL60769, or any other rear-axle suspension helper kit, to your 2005 GMC Yukon will not increase the vehicle's tow rating. That will remain at the capacity determined by GMC based on the specific complement of engine, transmission and differential. Whatever your owner's manual says remains the towing capacity even if a suspension helper kit is installed.
If your concern is rear-end sag when the trailer is hitched then the best solution is a weight distribution system. Weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) systems work to shift some of the trailer tongue weight from the rear axle up to the front axle, to reduce issues such as rear-end sag, your headlights pointing upward and reduced front-axle traction, which can negatively affect both steering and braking performance. Unlike suspension kits, a WD system can sometimes increase towing capacity for the hitch/vehicle system.
WD/SC systems are called for when a trailer weighs more than 50-percent of the weight of the tow vehicle. That is certainly the case for your 8500-lb-GVWR JayFlight 26 RLS. Systems that include integrated anti-sway not only improve your weight allocation between the two axles but also work to prevent the trailer from swaying from wind gusts and air blasts from passing trucks.
The key for selecting the right WD/SC system is knowing your trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight (dry hitch weight is not enough to pick out the right system). The dry hitch weight of your trailer is specified as 725-lbs, so by the time you fill your propane and fresh water tanks, load your supplies and other gear you're probably looking at an actual TW of 1000 to 1100-lbs. We offer a handy scale to measure tongue weight, part # e99044, but other home-brew methods are outlined in the linked article. Ideally your total TW will fall right in the middle of the system's operating range.
Once you know your loaded trailer's actual TW to this you will add the weight of anything that sits inside the Yukon behind the rear axle, say a big loaded cooler or generator. This cargo behind the rear axle will act like trailer tongue weight so it must be added to the trailer's to get your total TW figure. The linked page displays WD/SC systems that will fit your 2-inch hitch and that will work well with your electric drum brakes. Click on your total TW figure to see suitable options. For an example we'll presume your total TW is 1000-lbs.
A great option in this case is the Equal-i-zer # EQ37120ET. This works over a TW range of 800 to 1200-lbs, making it ideal for 1000-lbs TW. Its frame brackets are smaller than most, making them easier to install on the a-frame. The system includes the shank and hitch ball; all that is recommended in addition is a thin-walled socket for ball installation. We offer # EQ70-00-4800.
Products Referenced in This Question
Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Air Springs
- Light Duty
- Air Lift
more information >
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 1000 lbs
- 1100 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Tools
- Socket
- Equal-i-zer
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
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