According to General Motors, the maximum towing capacity of a GMC Yukon is 8,400 lbs. – which is plenty for hauling recreational vehicles, trailers and other things commonly towed with trucks and SUVs.
This GMC Yukon XL owner decided to truly test out the vehicle’s towing capability, though, when they stumbled across an 18-wheeler that had broken down was partially blocking an intersection. The details of this incident are not clear, with the video being uploaded to Facebook with little context, but it looks as though the semi-truck has been hooked up to the Yukon XL’s tow hitch with a strap. The driver then hops in the SUV and slowly pulls away with the 18-wheeler in tow, clearing the intersection and likely alleviating some traffic in both directions.
2019 GMC Yukon XL
It’s likely that this 18-wheeler had an empty trailer, as semi-trucks typically weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded up. They typically tip the scales at somewhere just above or below 30,000 lbs. when empty – obviously way more than a Yukon or Yukon XL could tow for extended periods of time, but not an impossible amount of weight to move only a short distance, as seen in this video.
One Facebook commenter pointed out that all truck/SUV talk aside, it’s nice to see that someone stopped to help this stranded semi-truck driver, who we can’t imagine was having a very good day up until this point. We’d have to agree with that sentiment, so kudos to you for taking some time out of your day to help a fellow motorist, GMC Yukon owner. We’re sure GM is happy about the free viral marketing, as well – though we imagine the automaker wouldn’t encourage owners to do this.
Check out the video embedded just below.
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Comments
not exactly a difficult thing for most trucks to do.
The truck did not appear to be loaded. It was on level ground and traction was good. Once rolling it take little to keep it moving.
This is the same dump trick they fool many people with over the years like the Toyota towing a Shuttle or a Ford towing a train.
Not put them with the same load on an inclined logging road the result will be much different.
I once towed a Mack truck with a J57 Jet engine down the center with a rented golf cart once. Once rolling it went where ever we had to go on level pavement. It means little.
Does anybody remember that Chevy commercial from the late 70s? Chevy C 10 with an LS9 engine. Pulling a ship against the current.
LS9 350CID 155BHP 250 Foot pounds of torque.
From prior experience in power train coordination, I can say that GM’s tow ratings are done considering an 8% grade at 55 mph with high HVAC loads. The 6.2 V8 can tow up to 16,000 lb on flat ground, but is rated around 12,000 due to off nominal conditions. Just moving the weight doesn’t matter, you need to meet certain speed and braking metrics as well. Here is the Davis dam test for tow ratings:
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15119283/that-dam-towing-test-new-sae-trailering-standards-explained-tech-dept/
Seeing this video reminds me a lot of a video of an old 1970’s Chevrolet Suburban pulling a few freight rail cars on Chevrolet’s 80th anniversary video for the Suburban nameplate on Chevrolet’s YouTube channel.
Not a huge feat really. What it takes is traction and enough torque to start it rolling. But still fun to watch and still impressive.
Just like when Toyota made such a huge deal with the truck pulling the space shuttle. No a big deal as long as you have that traction and get it rolling (on flat surfaces only please!!).
Not a great feat.The tractor trailer was EMPTY as confirmed with the trailers’ front axle raised up off the road.I estimate that combination weighing about 32,000 pounds,which on level road IS NOT a great feat.
A car could’ve done that
@Andrew: “A car could’ve done that”: Not if it doesn’t have the traction and torque.
Depends on the car.
Even then
Note Jeremy Clarkson towed a large ship with some trashy little French CUV. It nearly trashed it but they did move the ship a good ways.
I’m curious what was wrong with the semi? Most semi-trucks that are broke down have their air brakes set. If the air brakes were set no truck could pull that. This is similar to people pulling large objects. You just need to get it rolling, and the momentum will help keep it rolling.
Best view i have ever seen !