2021 GMC Yukon XL towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,300lb
- SLE RWD, 5.3L.
- Base trim: 8,300 lb.
- Top 5% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,600 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 8,300 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,640 lb
- Margin
- 1,700 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 121% of 5,475 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 11-14 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 8,300 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,640 lb
- Hitch class at max
- IV, up to 10,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Yes |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,640 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,640 lb |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 8,300 lb: SLE RWD, $53,700.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLE RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 8,300 lb | 2,025 lb | 7,500 lb | 5,475 lb | $53,700 |
| SLT RWD | 5.3L | RWD | 8,300 lb | 2,025 lb | 7,500 lb | 5,475 lb | $60,700 |
| Denali RWD | 6.2L | RWD | 8,100 lb | 2,025 lb | 7,500 lb | 5,475 lb | $71,300 |
| Denali 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 7,900 lb | 1,510 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb | $74,300 |
| SLE 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 6,000 lb to 8,000 lb | 1,630 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb | $56,700 |
| SLT 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 6,000 lb to 8,000 lb | 1,630 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb | $63,700 |
| AT4 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 6,000 lb to 8,000 lb | 1,630 lb to 2,017 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,683 lb | $67,800 |
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2014: 9,600 lb to 8,100 lb.
- Changed in 2015: 8,100 lb to 8,300 lb.
- Changed in 2016: 8,300 lb to 8,100 lb.
- Changed in 2021: 8,100 lb to 8,300 lb.
- Changed in 2024: 8,300 lb to 7,800 lb.
- Changed in 2025: 7,800 lb to 8,200 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Yukon | 8,400 lb | SLE RWD | $51,000 |
| GMC Yukon XL (this car) | 8,300 lb | SLE RWD | $53,700 |
| Land Rover Discovery | 8,200 lb | P360 S R Dynamic 4WD | $61,900 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | 7,700 lb | GLE 350 4MATIC AWD | $57,250 |
| Lexus GX | 6,500 lb | 460 AWD | $53,450 |
| Audi SQ5 | 4,400 lb | Premium AWD | $52,900 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 3,500 lb | XC40 T4 Momentum FWD | N/A |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
- What can tow 7,500 lb? 47 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree