Towing Report For 2010 Yukon Xl 2500 4x4

jandersinc · June 20, 2011

So a few weeks ago I decided to drive from Seattle (actually a bit north of there) to Vegas to buy a boat and tow it back. I kept decent records of the MPG and should give those looking for examples of gas mileage with the 6.0L a good read.

Here's my report:

Vehicle:

2010 Yukon XL 2500 4x4.

6.0L engine

6 speed trans

3.73 rear-end

Weight 6,500 pounds

GCWR 16,000 pounds

Max trailer weight 9,400 pounds (4x4).

Fuel used was 87 or 89 octane depending on what was available. Did not use 85 octane which was available at some gas stations.

Towed:

26 foot twin engine boat on a triple axle trailer

Total length 35 feet

Weight about 9,000 pounds

Total combined weight: About 15,500 (only about 500 less than the rating, but with one other passenger and some luggage probably right at the limit).

Total miles traveled: 2,920.

Avg. MPG unloaded: About 15.4

Avg. MPG loaded: About 10.1

The trip down was uneventful and took about 20 hours. Overall gas mileage on the way down, about 15.3 MPG. That includes the 80 MPH sections in Utah. I drive fairly close to the speed limit so speeds ranged about 5 - 7 over the posted speed. Top speed on the Yukon is only 96 MPH (governor limited).

Trip back included one flat tire on the trailer and a few extra stops for gas and to rest.

The temp in Vegas was 100 degrees the day we left. The truck did well and was able to keep its speed up the hills, but it liked 4th gear for the steeper grades. Keeping it at 60 - 65 up the grades required at time full throttle and 4,000 - 4,200 RPM's. But even when full throttle was not required it liked 4th gear and 4,000 RPM range, but it would just stay there until we crested the pass and then it would shift back to 6th. It would hold 6th on flat ground and very minor grades.

When leaving Vegas in the 100 degree heat climbing a steep pass the engine temp got to about 225ish (nearly 3/4 of the gauge), but never went past that. Not sure if it would have gone past that or not, but we crested the top the of pass and the engine temp quickly went back down to the middle of the gauge at about 210. Trans got to about 218, but that was the highest temp of the entire trip. Temp when down to 190ish after cresting the top and stayed there.

When it was sitting idling in 92 degree heat hooking up the boat with the A/C on (according to the DIC) the temp was running about 215 or so, just above the middle of the gauge.

I had never seen the temp gauge move from dead on center before until this trip, but I've never had it in anything hotter than 80 degree heat. The vehicle is black with black interior, maybe that helped build up heat.

Trans temp peaked at 218, but that's the hottest it ever went the entire trip. At all other times the trans stayed in the 180ish range and would get up to 190 ish up the grades and then cool back off.

We hit some cold weather (low 30's) in Northern Utah and trans stayed around 130, 140 even up the grades.

Overall trip went well. Mostly pleased with how it towed. It was heavy and you could tell it was towing and struggling at times. I wouldn't want to tow anything heavier with this vehicle.

At 55 - 65 MPH the truck and boat were perfectly steady, but 70ish and above would induce trailer sway and it wasn't a fun ride.

Here's my gas mileage calculations from the DIC and hand calculated. On the 2nd to last tank it didn't get a full fill so I had to rely on the DIC for the last 2 readings. Overall DIC was pretty accurate. Feel free to check my math if you want!

First fill - unloaded:

DIC - 34.8 gallons / 15.7 MPG

Hand - 35.116 gallons / 15.57 MPG

Mileage 7882 - 8429

Cost $132.00

2nd fill - unloaded:

DIC - 29.0 gallons / 15.5 MPG

Hand - 30.696 gallons / 14.62 MPG

Mileage 8429 - 8878

Cost $116.00

3rd fill - unloaded:

DIC - 32.9 gallons / 15.2 MPG

Hand - 31.49 gallons / 15.9 MPG

Mileage 8878 - 9308

Cost $119.00

4th Fill - loaded:

DIC - 24.7 gallons / 9.1 MPG

Hand - 25.36 gallons / 8.8 MPG

Mileage 9308 - 9604

Cost $97.10

5th Fill - loaded:

DIC - 35.8 gallons / 12.0 MPG

Hand - 35.399 gallons / 12.11 MPG

Mileage 9604 - 10033

Cost $140.50

6th Fill - loaded:

DIC - 28.6 gallons / 10.3 MPG

Hand - 28.687 gallons / 10.35 MPG

Mileage 10033 - 10330

Cost $113.00

7th Fill - loaded:

DIC - 31.6 gallons / 9.4 MPG

Hand - Not calculated

Mileage 10330 - 10627

Cost $100.00 (Did not get complete fill so hand calc not possible)

Final miles to home (175 miles, not filled at end, calc's based on DIC):

DIC - 17.0 gallons used / 9.7 MPG

Hand - Not calculated

Mileage 10627 - 10802

Shaners · June 21, 2011

Nice info and I wouldn't be upset with those numbers!

shamsh0g · June 21, 2011

Am surprised about the gasoline prices! It is really much cheaper where I live. When gasoline tank of my truck is almost empty I would fill it with less than $40. Good luck guys!!

plumber802 · June 22, 2011

Thanks for the write up.Loved it.Hard to argue with the facts.

Nubulin · July 15, 2011

Nice write up. I am looking at a 2500 'burb and your experiances give me a bit of confidence that it might do what I need it to.

dogzapper · July 15, 2011

Am surprised about the gasoline prices! It is really much cheaper where I live. When gasoline tank of my truck is almost empty I would fill it with less than $40. Good luck guys!!

The 2010 Chevy 2500 Suburban has a 39.0 gallon fuel tank.

http://www.chevrolet.com/vehicles/2011/sub...ton/features.do

You list your vehicle as a 2010 GMC 4X4 Crew Cab HD. I'm thinking your fuel tank is nowhere near 39.0 gallons, so it would cost less to fill.

My little piddly 2010 Chevy 1500 CC/SB 5.3/3.42 6L80E Six-Speed Z-71 LTZ in Victory Red only has a 26.0 gallon fuel tank.

Back in 1998, I had a brand new Victory Red 1500 Suburban and it came from the factory with a 42.0-gallon tank. Shortly after buying the rig brand-new, I left Portland, OR and was racing a blizzard from Post Falls, ID on. My last chance to fill was Missoula and I thought I could easily make it to Lincoln. And Lincoln was blizzard-closed, so we cruised down into Great Falls, looking at the "E" on my fuel guage for the last fifty miles.

The next morning, that great Suburban, took 43.2 gallons of fuel. Dang, we must have been running on fumes and a prayer.

Great years, by the way, we came home with the new Suburban full of fabulous Montana mule deer ... all 170 B&C and better.

Steve

Robopie · July 17, 2011

Any pics?!

ybsane · July 17, 2011

Nice write up, it seems to me that the factory trans cooler is not up to the task of keeping the temps down. I replaced mine with a Tru-Cool 40k and when towing 9k up into Lexington Va. on 90 plus days I never get over 180.

Out of curiosity did your Yukon come with a electric trailer brake or if you added one..? That is big haul up and down mountains to not have one. Mileage looks on par with what I am getting with 5.3 with 3.73 gears. Come to think of it, everyone I know that tows seems to sit right around the 9-11 mpg mark.

Rob

jandersinc · July 20, 2011

As far as the stock trans cooler goes I think it did just fine. Trans temp never went over 218 even working it hard in 100 degree weather. I think 218 is just fine for the trans. I wouldn't worry about that temp at all.

My Yukon does have the factory built in electric brake controller. Although my boat trailer has surge brakes so I didn't use it during this trip. I sure wouldn't want to tow 9,000 pounds without some dirt of brakes.

ybsane · July 22, 2011

As far as the stock trans cooler goes I think it did just fine. Trans temp never went over 218 even working it hard in 100 degree weather. I think 218 is just fine for the trans. I wouldn't worry about that temp at all.

My Yukon does have the factory built in electric brake controller. Although my boat trailer has surge brakes so I didn't use it during this trip. I sure wouldn't want to tow 9,000 pounds without some dirt of brakes.

Surge Bakes are big in the boat world, probably due to dropping the trailers in water. I am a big believer of keeping Trans Temps cool (180-190 tops) How did you like the 6speed with towing overall..? Several people have been telling me they are having good results compared to the old 4spd.

jandersinc · July 23, 2011

The 6 speed was great. Always had a gear that seemed to be just right. I'd never had a 4 speed version so can't compare.

I did not like tow haul mode much though. It either wanted to run at 4500 rpm down every hill because it would downshift when I hit the brakes or it would never go into 6th. I rarely used it except for going up a few hills.