What is the Towing Capacity of a 2014 GMC Yukon Denali XL and Should I Use Weight Distribution  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

From what I was able to determine from my research, the 2014 GMC Yukon XL has a towing capacity of 7800 to 7900-lbs depending on the trim package; you'll want to consult the owner's manual for the best information on this for your Denali trim. When it comes to weight distribution hitches, they're not going to increase the towing capacity of your vehicle- you'll always be limited to the lowest rated component in your towing setup which would be the vehicle in this case.

When it comes to weight distribution hitches, we normally recommend using one any time your trailer is more than 50% of the weight of the tow vehicle; it looks like the 2014 Yukon XL weighs almost 6000-lbs, so any trailer weighing more than 3000-lbs would get into the territory where a weight distribution hitch would be recommended. You'll also want to choose your weight distribution hitch based off of the tongue weight of your trailer.

You typically want your trailer's tongue weight to be between 10% and 15% of the total weight of the trailer. If you're towing a 7000-lbs trailer, your tongue weight should be between 700-lbs and 1050-lbs. For a trailer like this, something like the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12K GTW, 1.2k TW # RP66560 would be a good choice for a trailer this size. This comes with a shank included and has a built in sway control, so it's going to control sway in addition to helping distribute the weight of the trailer across the axles of the truck.

I've linked a brief review video of this weight distribution system for you to have a look at, but if you can let me know what the tongue weight of the trailer you'll be towing is, I can help you find the proper weight distribution system for you to use.

expert reply by: Erik B

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