Re: [VAC] help!!!

[kevin.allen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Kevin Allen)]

Greetings Marlaine!

Proceed with caution (IMHO).  If your Yukon does not have the factory heavy
duty trailer towing package, it may be marginal for towing the proposed
trailer.  Without the heavy duty factory towing package, the common
differential ratio was either 2.73 or 3.08 or something in that range which
significantly decreases the trailer tow rating.  With the heavy duty
factory trailer towing package, the '99 Yukon was rated for 6,000 pounds
4x4 or 6,500 pounds 4x2 if the 3.73 differential was specified.  In
addition, with the heavy duty trailer towing option your truck would have
been equipped with a heavy duty transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler,
heavy duty springs and shocks, and a receiver hitch platform.  It is
possible to retrofit the options, but changing the diffential gears could
be cost prohibitive if your rig is a K1500 series (4x4).   My previous tow
vehicle was a '95 K1500, and it was just barely passable for the hills in
Southern, Illinois let alone the one trip it made to the Rocky Mountains.
I tow a '64, 26' Overlander which has a dry weight of 4,400 pounds and a
loaded weight approaching 6,000 pounds.

If you decide to give this combination a try, I would suggest considering
opting for a new Reese htich with a deep drop ball mount - - if your Yukon
is a 4x4, the drop mount will almost certainly be a necessity.  The Reese
combination gives you the option of an excellent, easy to use sway control
for the novice called a Dual Cam Sway Control.  This unit reguires little
attention to its operation once it is properly installed, and provides
excellent towing peace of mind (IMHO).  I had Dual Cam Sway Controls
installed on my '64 Overlander for my second year of towing and wish I had
done so earlier - - especially when I was towing with my marginally powered
K1500.

When considering the trailer, be cautious and check carefully for any
problems.  The refrigerator problem could be costly as new replacements can
run well over $1,000.00 installed.  Even if operational, you might also be
looking at furnace replacement as the furnace is beyond is normal life and
may be suffering from a common malady - - heat exchanger rust out.  Since
prices vary somewhat by region, you might want to do a little local
research using nearby city newspaper, trader type publications, as well as
listings on the Web such as the classifieds found elsewhere on this site to
see what prices are being asked for comparable rigs.   

Good Luck with your decision!