Items Needed To Tow 95 Prowler 24Foot Trailer With 2011 GMC Yukon XL  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Welcome to the towing community, as an expert at etrailer.com, I will give you help tips to make your towing successful.

Weight distribution systems are recommended if your trailer weight is more than 50 percent of your vehicle's weight. If your trailer weight is more than 50 percent then, I have a article attached to this page that will correctly help you choose a weight distribution system.

There are many different types of weight distribution systems on the market, each with different features. But before you can choose which of those features you'd like to have, you must determine which size system will work best for your towing setup. As with any towing component, capacity is key.

A weight distribution hitch will have 2 weight ratings the gross trailer weight and the tongue weight. In choosing a system, therefore, you must determine the following:

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) refers to the weight of the fully loaded trailer in its actual towing condition. GTW is measured by placing the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The rating of weight distribution system must match or exceed your GTW.

Tongue Weight (TW) refers to the tongue weight of your trailer plus the weight of the cargo that sits behind the rear axle of your vehicle.Trailer TW is measured using a tongue weight scale and its typically, about 10 to 15 percent of GTW.

Weight of cargo behind the rear axle can be measured using a commercial scale
- Weigh vehicle without cargo
- Weigh vehicle with cargo loaded
- Subtract initial weight from weight of loaded vehicle

Let's say, you have a trailer that has a TW of 700 lbs, and your vehicle has 100 lbs of cargo in the trunk, then your overall, weight distribution TW is 800 lbs. Choosing a weight distribution system with a 1,500-lb TW rating may lead to erratic performance because it is rated too high. On the other hand, if you choose a system rated too low, say at 500 lbs, the system would be ineffective. Choose a weight distribution system with a TW rating that is closest to your towing setup's TW to ensure the best performance.

Based on your weight you may want to consider the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET. it has a tongue weight capacity between 600 lbs and 1,000 lbs. It also has a maximum gross towing weight of up to 10,000 lbs.

Next, I would like for you to check to see if you have a 7-way trailer connector. Also if you don't have one already, I recommend a proportional brake controller, Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. With a proportional brake controller, you can get heavy-duty emergency braking, general braking or slow-to-an-idle braking for your trailer automatically.

The intensity with which your trailer brakes are activated and the rate at which they are applied are dependent on the deceleration of your tow vehicle. This means that, unlike time-delay controllers - which send the same amount of preset power to your trailer brakes every time proportional controllers are able to adapt to every braking situation differently.

So, if you slam on the brakes in your truck, your trailer brakes will activate with that same extreme intensity. And if you merely slow down as you approach a red light, your trailer will gradually brake in the same manner. Just set the initial power level, select a boost setting, and you're good to go.

If your 2011 GMC Yukon XL does not have the factory trailer connector, you will also need item # 30955 to complete your wiring.

No plug is present under the dash, but the needed wires are already run. You will connect the brake controller wiring with the vehicle wiring already present under the dash.

expert reply by: Timothy G

0

Tom

3/1/2018

I have a follow up question. My tow vehicle is only rated to pull 7,800 lbs, and my trailer dry weight is about 4,200 lbs. You said, and I have read, that having a hitch system that is rated too high can be a problem, so wouldn't it make more sense for me to buy a 800/8,000# weight distributing hitch instead of 1,000/10,000, considering I should never even be towing 8,000lbs?

Reply

Timothy G.

3/8/2018

Yes, it is best to choose a system by the trailer's loaded tongue weight added to the weight behind the rear axle. If your trailer load is ALWAYS going to be under 800 pounds, including the weight stored behind the rear axle of your Yukon XL than an 800 pound system is okay. If it could go over, you are better off with the higher rated system to be safe. I recommended the higher rated system believing that there would be a chance that you may go over capacity one day. But if you are confident in staying under 800 pound TW, then this is my recommendation. Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control # RP66083 has a tongue weight capacity between 400 lbs and 800 lbs and a gross towing weight up to 8,000 lbs.

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