G23 Info

[AcerMD]

My local dealer is working very hard to pull me away from another brand and into a G23, so much so that he is giving me what I paid for my 2013 coming in from another manufacturer as a trade.

Some questions:

1) towing with a Yukon Denali with the 6.2. Anyone have any experiences towing the G with this vehicle? We do tow long distances. I didn't even look at them while shopping because I didn't want to buy a new tow vehicle.

2) engine consensus? The one I'm looking at has the 450. Is this enough engine? Will a re-prop be required?

3) triple axle or double axle trailer?

4) any common issues/things I should look for when I take delivery (boat is new)?

Thanks

[jrz1]

Looks like you'd be close with around ~8K lbs towing capacity depending on which version of the Denali you have.

Boat dry is 5400 lbs; with fuel maybe as much as ~5800 lbs. I'm assuming a trailer is around another 1500 lbs so you're close to max capacity. A tandem axle trailer should be fine and will be more manueverable though in some people's minds not as cool as a triple.

Haven't driven one but I think most would tell you the 450 is very sufficient.

[AcerMD]

^thanks, so would need a new tow vehicle as well. Deal breaker.

[swc5150]

Don't jump the gun on thinking you need a new tow vehicle just yet. There are some PN members towing G23's with similar rigs. I'd wait until they provide some input before nixing the deal. Ironj should way in on this.

[AcerMD]

The capacity on my Yukon is 7900 lbs I believe. We tow at least 2400 km round trip through the mountains once or twice a year. I couldn't justify owning a 3/4 ton just to have a heavier boat.

But yes, would like someone who tows with a Yukon/Tahoe to weigh in.

[ironj32]

With that engine, power is not an issue. I have a 1/2 ton Silverado with the 6.2L engine. That is plenty of power and torque to tow the boat. I've never towed through mountains, so can't comment on how steep grades will affect you. I do know that when I put the pedal to the floor, the truck has no problem accelerating up minor grades when towing my G23 (dual axel)...I have a lead foot, and like to get to speed/pass ASAP. Yes, I know there are suspension differences between the SUVs and Trucks, so you may want to just take your Yukon to the dealer and tow one of there rigs around for 15 minutes or so. Will you know the boat is back there? Yes. Will it be enough to make you feel uncomfortable? My guess is no.

[jrz1]

Power is rarely the issue from a tow rating standpoint once you get up into the range of motors that go into full size 3/4 ton pickups. Limiting factors are more typically suspension/frame, transmission, tires and brakes. With a good chunk of your driving being through mountains, it's the brakes I would be focused on. Definitely go for a trailer with a good set of electric brakes.

[AllianceBJJ]

I had a Yukon Denali w/6.2, which this is a bit different than the Sierra truck in frame, suspension and wheelbase...got my G23....now have the Sierra 2500HD diesel......

Could feel the boat pushing the truck while braking, tail wagging the dog...didn't feel comfortable with the Yukon pushing its towing capacity, limits on braking and wheelbase for handling after towing it around a bit....but I like to overkill everything...

[wakeslasher69]

Man I tell ya, if you were on flat land I'd have no worries with the towing capacity of your truck but if you are regularly doing mountain trips I'd do a LOT more checking on the Denali's capacity and agree that the brakes are the real issue. Can't speak to the "breaking capacity" of a triple axle trailer so that might help you out some?

Two cents here but how often do you trade boats vs. cars? I'd be a little reluctant to not get the boat I wanted (longer term hold for me) vs. not trading in my car for something that tows the boat I want. In full disclosure I trade cars every couple of years and boats every 5 or so.

[vision]

No problem with 450 engine in G23 unless you will be running more than stock ballast. G is already propped down as top speed with 450 is mid 30s.

The G would really do well with a turbocharged deisel. Too bad it is not an option. Yanmar deisel is not much different in cost than pcm engine.

[AcerMD]

I don't plan on running extra ballast except maybe to surf a bit.

I have absolutely no other need to a Duramax HD 2500 Denali (though I would love one) than for these 1-2 trips a year through the mountains, plus don't want the extra cost of buying/owning a bigger truck. When you factor these things in the up charge for the G might not be worth it for me. The brake thing never occurred to me but yes, that would be the biggest issue.

Thanks all for your help.

[perry386]

Looks like you'd be close with around ~8K lbs towing capacity depending on which version of the Denali you have.

Boat dry is 5400 lbs; with fuel maybe as much as ~5800 lbs. I'm assuming a trailer is around another 1500 lbs so you're close to max capacity. A tandem axle trailer should be fine and will be more manueverable though in some people's minds not as cool as a triple.

Haven't driven one but I think most would tell you the 450 is very sufficient.

The 8k towing capacity is for the regular Yukon with the 5.3. The Denali has the 6.2 and I think the towing capacity is about 10-11k.

[perry386]

No problem with 450 engine in G23 unless you will be running more than stock ballast. G is already propped down as top speed with 450 is mid 30s.

The G would really do well with a turbocharged deisel. Too bad it is not an option. Yanmar deisel is not much different in cost than pcm engine.

Nautique is currently talking with VW and Mercedes Benz about using either the VW turbo-diesel or the Mercedes BLUETEC diesel. It would be a while before thats an option (if ever) but they are looking into it.

[vision]

Nautique is currently talking with VW and Mercedes Benz about using either the VW turbo-diesel or the Mercedes BLUETEC diesel. It would be a while before thats an option (if ever) but they are looking into it.

Good to know. I hope they make it happen. I know MC went with VW as well. I wonder why ski boat manufacturers have stayed away from traditional marine deisel manufacturers? You would think they would be less expensive.

[AllianceBJJ]

http://www.gmc.com/trailering-towing/towing-charts.html

8100-8500 for a 6.2L Yukon Denali AWD

Suspension, frame, brakes and wheelbase are different than the Sierra truck giving it less towing ability