GMC YUKON XL 2011 Owners Manual

Black plate (81,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-81
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
1500 Series 2WD Short Wheel Base 5.3L V8 (LC9) 3.082 540 kg (5,600 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) 3.082 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 856 kg (8,500 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 540 kg (5,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 674 kg (8,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Short Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 586 kg (5,700 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 720 kg (8,200 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 5.3L V8 (LC9) 3.082 268 kg (5,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 629 kg (8,000 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)

Black plate (82,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-82 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
2500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices,
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
very important because it is also
part of the vehicle weight. The
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle as well as trailer tongue weight. Vehicle options, equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehicle
reduce the amount of tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle
can tow. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑23 for more information
about the vehicle's maximum load
capacity.

Black plate (83,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-83
Trailer tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent to 15 percent and fifth
wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight
should be 15 to 25 percent of the
loaded trailer weight (B) up to the
maximums for vehicle series and
hitch type shown below:Vehicle Series Hitch Type
Maximum Tongue
Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lbs)
2500 Weight Carrying 453 kg (1,000 lbs)
1500 Weight Distributing 499 kg (1,100 lbs)
2500 Weight Distributing 680 kg (1,500 lbs)
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue or kingpin weight
cannot cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating). See
“Total
Weight on the Vehicle's Tires” later
in this section for more information.
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.

Black plate (84,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-84 Driving and Operating
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification label
on the drivers door or seeVehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑23 for more
information. Make sure not to
exceed the GVWR limit for the
vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the tow
vehicle and trailer fully loaded for
the trip including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, make sure not to
exceed the RGAWR before applying
the weight distribution spring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings —GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the tow vehicle and trailer combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual weights
for each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control. Most
small-to-medium trailers can be
towed with a weight carrying hitch
which simply features a coupler
latched to the hitch ball. Larger
trailers may require a weight
distributing hitch that uses spring
bars to distribute the trailer tongue
weight among the two vehicle and
trailer axles. See
“Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” inTrailer Towing on
page 9‑79 for rating limits with
various hitch types.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.
Weight‐Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.

Black plate (85,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-85
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. If the trailer being
towed weighs up to 2 271 kg
(5,000 lbs) with a factory-installed
step bumper, safety chains may
be attached to the attaching points
on the bumper, otherwise, safety
chains should be attached to holes
on the trailer hitch platform. Always
leave just enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly.
Since the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak
®, the trailer brakes
cannot tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic system.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with the
following wiring harnesses for
towing a trailer.
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a
seven-pin connector, is located at
the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer. The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.

Black plate (86,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-86 Driving and Operating
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package
The vehicle is equipped with the
seven-wire trailer towing harness.
This harness with a seven-pin
universal trailer connector is
attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the tow/haul mode
button located at the end of the shift
lever. This will boost the vehicle
system voltage and properly charge
the battery. If the trailer is too light
for tow/haul mode, turn on the
headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires near the
data link connector for the trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.Dark Blue: Brake Signal to
Trailer Connector
.Red/Black: Battery
.Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
.White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer
or a qualified service center.
If the vehicle is equipped with an
ITBC, the blunt cuts exist, but
are not connected further in the
harness. If an aftermarket trailer
brake controller is installed, the
ITBC must be disconnected.

Black plate (87,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-87
Do not power both ITBC and
aftermarket controllers to control the
trailer brakes at the same time.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
tow/haul mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
tow/haul mode is on.Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. See
Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑42 for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” earlier in
the section. Tow/Haul is most useful
under the following driving
conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop and
go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired. Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to
the selection of Tow/Haul when
the vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for electric trailer brakes.

Black plate (88,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-88 Driving and Operating
This symbol is located on the Trailer
Brake Control Panel on vehicles
with an Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System. The power output
to the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle’s brake
system. This available power output
to the trailer brakes can be adjusted
to a wide range of trailering
situations.
The ITBC system is integrated
with the vehicle’s brake, anti‐lock
brake and StabiliTrak systems.
In trailering conditions that cause
the vehicle’s anti‐lock brake or
StabiliTrak systems to activate,
power sent to the trailer's brakes
will be automatically adjusted to
minimize trailer wheel lock-up. This
does not imply that the trailer has
the StabiliTrak system. If the vehicle’s brake, anti‐lock
brake or StabiliTrak systems are
not functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make
sure all of these systems are
fully operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered
through the vehicle's electrical
system. Turning the ignition off
will also turn off the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is fully functional
only when the ignition is in ON or
in RUN.
The ITBC system can only be used
with trailers with electric brakes.{WARNING
Connecting a trailer that is not
compatible with the ITBC system
may result in reduced or complete
loss of trailer braking. There
may be an increase in stopping
distance or trailer instability which
could result in personal injury or
damage to the vehicle, trailer,
or other property. An aftermarket
controller may be available for
use with trailers with surge,
air, or electric‐over‐hydraulic
trailer brake systems. To
determine the type of brakes
on the trailer and the availability
of controllers, check with your
trailer manufacturer or dealer.

Black plate (89,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-89
When trailering, make sure of the
following:
.The ITBC system is used only
with trailers that are equipped
with electric brakes.
.All applicable local and federal
laws and regulations are
followed.
.All electrical and mechanical
connections to the trailer are
made correctly.
.The trailer’s brakes are in proper
working condition.
.The trailer and vehicle are
properly loaded for the towing
condition.
The ITBC system is a factory
installed item. Out‐of‐factory
installation of this system should not
be attempted. GM is not responsible
for warranty or performance of the
system resulting from out‐of‐factory
installation. Trailer Brake Control PanelA. Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever
B. Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons
The ITBC system has a control
panel located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
column. The control panel allows
adjustment to the amount of output, referred to as trailer gain, available
to the electric trailer brakes and
allows manual application the trailer
brakes. The Trailer Brake Control
Panel is used along with the Trailer
Brake Display Page on the DIC to
adjust and display power output to
the trailer brakes.
Trailer Brake DIC Display Page
The ITBC system displays
messages into the vehicle’s Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑28
for more information.
The display page indicates
Trailer Gain setting, power output
to the electric trailer brakes, trailer
connection and system operational
status.

Black plate (90,1)GMC Yukon/Yukon XL Owner Manual - 2011
9-90 Driving and Operating
The Trailer Brake Display Page can
be displayed by performing any of
the following actions:
.Scrolling through the DIC
menu pages using the odometer
trip stem or the DIC Vehicle
Information button (if equipped).
.Pressing a Trailer Gain
button–If the Trailer Brake
Display Page is not currently
displayed, pressing a Trailer
Gain button will first recall the
current Trailer Gain setting.
After the Trailer Brake Display
Page is displayed, each press
and release of the gain buttons
will then cause the Trailer Gain
setting to change.
.Activating the Manual Trailer
Brake Apply lever
.Connecting a trailer equipped
with electric trailer brakes All DIC warning and service
messages must first be
acknowledged by the driver
by pressing the odometer trip
stem or the DIC Vehicle Information
button (if equipped) before the
Trailer Brake Display Page can be
displayed and Trailer Gain can be
adjusted.
TRAILER GAIN
–This setting is
displayed anytime the Trailer Brake
Display Page is active. This setting
can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0
with either a trailer connected or
disconnected. To adjust the Trailer
Gain, press one of the Trailer Gain
adjustment buttons located on the
Trailer Brake Control Panel. Press
and hold a gain button to cause the
Trailer Gain to continuously adjust.
To turn the output to the trailer off,
adjust the Trailer Gain setting to
0.0 (zero).
0.0 (zero) gain is the factory
default setting. To properly adjust
trailer gain, see the Trailer Gain
Adjustment Procedure later in this
section. TRAILER OUTPUT
–This is
displayed any time a trailer with
electric brakes is connected.
Output to the electric brakes is
based on the amount of vehicle
braking present and relative to
the Trailer Gain setting. Output is
displayed from 0 to 10 bars for each
gain setting.
The Trailer Output will
indicate “- - - - - -“ on the
Trailer Brake Display Page
whenever the following occur:
.No trailer is connected.
.A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
is displayed).
.A trailer with electric brakes
has become disconnected
(a CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also be displayed
on the DIC).