GMC Yukon Towing Guide – Crestmont Buick GMC
Most of what you read about the Yukon is probably focused on things like interior space, luxury features, or offroad ability. But the Yukon has a towing capacity that rivals quite a few pickup trucks, and for anyone that needs seating for eight and an impressive towing capacity in the same vehicle, this is pretty useful information. There are a lot of possible configurations for the Yukon though, and towing capacity can vary a bit from one to another. So a towing capacity guide is needed to show which Yukon fits your towing needs.
GMC Yukon Engine Options
| Horsepower | Torque | |
| 5.3-liter gas V8 | 355 | 383 lb-ft |
| 6.2-liter gas V8 | 420 | 460 lb-ft |
| 3.0-liter Duramax I6 Turbo Diesel | 277 | 460 lb-ft |
Towing capacity isn’t as simple as a more powerful being able to tow more weight, but since the choice of engine does still have an impact on towing capacity, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how much power they each make. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s the diesel engine that delivers the best fuel economy, especially in 2WD form.
GMC Yukon Towing Capacity
| Configuration | Max Towing | |
| 5.3-liter V8 | Yukon 2WD | 8,400 pounds |
| 5.3-liter V8 | Yukon 4WD | 8,200 pounds |
| 5.3-liter V8 | Yukon XL 2WD | 8,300 pounds |
| 5.3-liter V8 | Yukon XL 4WD | 8,000 pounds |
| 6.2-liter V8 | Yukon 2WD | 8,200 pounds |
| 6.2-liter V8 | Yukon 4WD | 8,000 pounds |
| 6.2-liter V8 | Yukon XL 2WD | 8,100 pounds |
| 6.2-liter V8 | Yukon XL 4WD | 7,800 pounds |
| 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel | Yukon 2WD | 8,100 pounds |
| 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel | Yukon 4WD | 7,800 pounds |
| 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel | Yukon XL 2WD | 7,800 pounds |
| 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel | Yukon XL 4WD | 7,700 pounds |
As you can see, towing capacity is impacted by a mix of engine, drivetrain, and whether you opt for the standard-length Yukon or opt for the extra cargo space of the XL. The difference between the highest-capacity configuration and the lowest isn’t huge, nothing like the differences you can get with full-size pickup trucks, where differences between configurations can amount to thousands of pounds. So, anyone who prefers the horsepower of the 6.2-liter V8, the fuel economy of the diesel engine, or the offroad ability that the 4WD drivetrain gives them isn’t going to have to worry too much about the impact those decisions will have on towing capacity. One quick note is that these numbers are for the Yukon with the Max Trailering Package, and the capacities will be a bit lower across the board without it. But since anyone doing a lot of towing is likely to opt for this package anyway, we were sure to include that in the totals. If you have any questions, or you’re ready to pick out your Yukon towing vehicle, the friendly and knowledgeable team at Crestmont Buick GMC is here to help!
