Howdy all,
Nice to find a forum for all generations of Chevrolet/GMC vehicles. Looking to get an older gently used Yukon for my fiancé. Primary use will be traveling, and towing a smaller- less than 24’ travel trailer, but additional towing capacity is preferable as sometimes things happen. To be based out of Montana and traveling out to the coast and other areas in the west.
I am currently looking at GMC Yukon XL , and am finding that my knowledge of the newer vehicles is lacking to say the least.
Looking for a 2500 4x4 Yukon XL (Denali?)
questions are:
1) as the descriptions are all over the map - does a 2500 usually have 8 lug wheels? I know older 3/4ton domestic rigs almost all have 8 lug axles- usually they only list the weight clas about 40% of the ads, so if I can cheat and judge by lugs that would be helpful.
2) best years to look for?
3) expected issues?
4) can they handle a deer bumper?

Thanks for your help, I suspect that there is a ton of info available here as there have been on the other forums I have joined over the years

Lots of folks are towing all kinds of big and heavy with "supposedly 1500" SUVs. I always recommend the long wheelbase for towing. Not saying they are the end-all be all, but they seem to mostly do okay at it. A 24' travel trailer, as long as it isn't one of those super heavy ones from the `70s/`80s/early `90s, would be okay behind a recent 1500 YukonXL.

For everything below, I expect you are looking for a model year from this century. If I am incorrect let me know. There were good ones prior.

Last year of production was 2013

Yes, a 2500 usually has 8-lug wheels. While we're here: Ford had a 7-lug F250 for a little while. GM and Dodge had 5-lug 2500 vans for years. Many of the AT&T long wheelbase 5-lug 2500 Express vans on the road have several hundred thousand miles on them filled with junk and carrying ladders with a 4.3L V-6 the whole time. All of the big American SUVs have been 6-lug for years. Same goes for the tiny Astro van from 2003 to 2005.

I mention all of this because what you are looking for you can be fine with a 6-lug depending on the specifics. Number of lug nuts might not matter.

I mention all of that because finding an 8-lug YukonXL newer than 2013 will be nearly impossible. "Nearly" because they did make some from 2016-2020, but they were government-only vehicles and I believe they were all Suburbans. If you can even find one it will probably be well beaten and might include a couple thousand pounds of bulletproofing. Finding any 2500 from model year 2000-2013 is almost as difficult these days, although I do see them from time to time. They almost always appear to be in good shape, but they are very rare.

2000+ with the 4L80E (4-speed) is a stout platform if it isn't all worn out. You could get a 6.0 or 8.1 for some of those years. Later years with the 6-speed are generally good too if the transmission hasn't been beaten to death already.

Upper intake manifold gaskets on LS engines. Emergency brake rattles on 2000-2006 model years.

Depending on how heavy of a bumper you're talking about, yes.

Great info, Thanks.
Not necessarily locked into an 8 lug wheel/ full floating axle per se, mainly looking at an easier way to identify a 3/4 ton rated rig. I'm a truck guy myself.
Our planned use is some towing- up to around 8K is about right.
I have been doing alot of searching on the internet, and many vehicle descriptions don't really supply alot of useful info, besides pretty pictures and cut and pasted stuff from dealer web pages.
So definitely looking for a long wheelbase rig- camping potential/inside bivouacking on road trips.
My main concerns with newer rigs is all the extra stuff that kinda gets bundled into most vehicles lately, I like older simpler rigs- the more bells and whistles the more stuff that can go sideways. Somewhere in around the 2006- 2018 range I guess, not giant mileage on the clock under 100K would be good. not sure about the reliability of stuff like the cylinder delete at cruising speeds type stuff, so I can live without that. I guess that stems from my experiences on a couple dozen AlCan trips and other off the beaten track stuff.
New waters for me, so the info is much appreciated.
Thanks

Something like this one, on the high end mileage wise but:
https://my.dealersocket.com/NewEBroc...shipImageModal

Looks like a good one. I wouldn't hesitate on that. As long as it hasn't been beaten and doesn't make any bad noises odds are it will last a long time.

Well it looks like we found a 2011 with 145k that might fit the bill. Fleet model - with two owners pretty clean


Minor parking lot dings

Looks pretty clean, no leaks



Inside

Not much signs of rust

Coil overs or struts? Wonder if they will handle a bumper

Looks like a nice one!

Yes indeed, for less than half of the other, so some built in budget for any repairs that can pop up. Heck, probably enough go through the drivetrain if necessary and have a good solid rig that will last quite awhile.

Yeah, Carfax it to make sure nothing big probably happened to it then I'd say go for it.

Carfax came back clean so it'* a go. Just trying to figure out a set of studded tires for it and not sure what load range would be best maybe D? Some towing, about 5K# about 30% of the time. maybe a light utility trailer in the winter so the studded tires might be alright as a load range C