2025 GMC Yukon XL towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,200lb
- Elevation RWD, 5.3L 8cyl.
- Base trim: 8,200 lb.
- Top 9% of 159 SUVs (2025).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,500 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 8,200 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,560 lb
- Margin
- 1,700 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 114% of 5,722 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 10-14 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 8,200 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,560 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 6,560 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,560 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 8,200 lb: Elevation RWD, $70,200.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation RWD | 5.3L 8cyl | RWD | 8,200 lb | 1,878 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,722 lb | $70,200 |
| 2WD 4dr Elevation | 5.3L | 2WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $70,900 |
| 4WD 4dr Elevation | 5.3L | 4WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $73,900 |
| AT4 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 8,200 lb | 1,360 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,703 lb to 5,966 lb | $77,200 |
| 4WD 4dr AT4 | 5.3L | 4WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $77,900 |
| Denali RWD | 6.2L 8cyl | RWD | 8,200 lb | 1,761 lb | 7,600 lb | 5,839 lb | $80,500 |
| 2WD 4dr Denali | 6.2L | 2WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $81,200 |
| 4WD 4dr Denali | 6.2L | 4WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $84,200 |
| AT4 Ultimate 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 8,200 lb | 1,250 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,703 lb to 6,107 lb | $98,800 |
| 4WD 4dr AT4 Ultimate | 6.2L | 4WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $99,500 |
| Denali Ultimate 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 8,200 lb | 1,250 lb | 7,700 lb | 5,703 lb to 6,107 lb | $104,800 |
| 4WD 4dr Denali Ultimate | 6.2L | 4WD | 8,200 lb | N/A | N/A | 5,781 lb | $105,500 |
| Denali 4WD | 6.2L 8cyl | 4WD | 8,200 lb | 1,250 lb | 7,089 lb | 5,839 lb | $80,500 to $83,500 |
| Elevation 4WD | 5.3L 8cyl | 4WD | 8,200 lb | 1,360 lb | 7,082 lb | 5,722 lb | $70,200 to $73,200 |
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 | Elevation RWD | $67,200 |
| GMC Yukon XL (this car) | 8,200 lb | Elevation RWD | $70,200 |
| BMW X5 | 7,200 lb | sDrive40i RWD | $66,300 |
| Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback | 4,400 lb | Premium | $69,600 |
| Audi SQ6 e-tron | 4,000 lb | Premium AWD | $72,900 |
| Polestar 3 | 3,500 lb | Long Range Single Motor RWD | $67,500 |
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