You didn't have the tow mode on in the Infiniti. If you did, the green lighted TOW MODE would have been ON in your dash views. Your entire run needs to be done over so you can score this vehicle properly. You would have better shifting, better times, less braking and better gas mileage using the tow mode button. You said you were using it, but the dash light not being lit up is a dead give away that you forgot. You have to turn it on every time you start it, as the ignition cancels it out when you turn it off.
I love that you can see the trunion bars are missing while he measures the "squat". 9:07 clearly shows they weren't using the trunion bars on the WDH while towing with the QX80 either. Not only does using a WDH on the Yukon but not the QX80 make this an unequal comparison, but if the trailer weighs over 5000 pounds, they're not following the QX80's recommendationed towing practices by failing to use a WDH.
WOW> What a comparison. Andre goes and complains about the squat on the Infinity QX80...then when you actually look they performed the whole test without a weight distribution hitch on the infinity but had it set up on the GM... NO SHIT SHERLOCK... You will get more squat when you don't use a weight distribution hitch.. Probably much more sway and shitty feel too. Nice comparison boys..
At 7:45 in video when you're reviewing the interior, you'll notice there is a button labeled "Tow Mode". Did you engage it? Granted it won't change the axle ratio but it does change the shift points.
The Tesla Model X is rated to tow 5000 lbs in Norway. Towing that up the Ike Gauntlet and down and seeing what happens to the range would be really interesting. It would get you guys a shipload of views too!
Yes, I bet it would be a real PITA to tow in snowy hill country with the X, then find no recharge stations and hope for a motel with some power outlets. Except, you could just punish a $10K used SUV to do that (massive waste of money to rag out a $100K car with limited utility, for this towing purpose).
The reason why the Infiniti was squatting is due to the lack of a weight distribution hitch. We towed our less than 7,700 lb RV with our 2011 QX56 and we had a weight distribution hitch and it did very well towing
I have a Nissan Armada which is about the same as the Infinity. I liked your test, except for the subjective part. (I like all of the evidence to be empirical.) I believe that the Infinity (a glorified Nissan Patrol) would have been faster up the hill with a changed rear end ratio (like 3.23's) and a 10 speed transmission. I am basing that on book knowledge AND by seeing the amount revs that were lost on up-shifts and gained on down-shifts. But your test was true. It wasn't a 'what if' test, it was a 'as is' test. One thing the viewers should consider is that; if the rear end squats, the viewer should compensate the height difference by buying a tongue with a drop or rise that will level the trailer with the truck. Oh, the Nissan/Infinity mirrors DO suck. Good job👍
Video was meant to push gmc ahead with not implementing the samr towing tatics in the infiniti as you yoused in the gmc. This test wasnt apples to apples and the things not used on the infiniti greatly reduced its towing performance.
98durangopack I would love to agree here because my QX56 was a nice truck but it was plagued with inherit issues. Exhaust manifolds leaked, HVAC door actuators failed, air suspension leaked down, ABS VSS lights came on and went out randomly. HID light drivers failed. These issues happened to every owner over on the Nissan forum I was part of. Otherwise it was a ok truck own but so many issues over time. I hope they ironed these nagging issues out so long term owners don't get burned.
As I can't tell you my job I will agree with you. The problems you brought up are certainly issues with that platform. I will say this. Just read about the drivetrain of the Ecoboost is as well as the (LS) based vehicles. LS starts right about the time AFM on the 2007 1500s GM. Before then was ok. The point I'm going after is, the VK56 is without a doubt one of the most robust engines being made from 04-15 aka Gen 1. Failure rate one of the lowest. Egoboost and GM can't say that even if all sales were equal.
98durangopack Oh yea the VK engine is sweet. Lots of low end power for a cammer and very reliable. Jatco transmissions are very good too. Despite the numbers on paper it seemed to have more power than it was rated for.
I don't understand the huge jump and drop in engine RPM between gears on the Infinity, like it has a 3-speed trans. Something seems very wrong with the transmission control unit. The rear end sag from trailer tongue weight isn't good. I'm guessing that Infinity expects less than 1% of the QX-80 owners will tow anything heavier than a single axle trailer with a couple Harleys on it.
A video that I'd like to see, is a little more detail on trailering. What are all of the electrical connections? What are the different, or state of the art, connections? For example, my old truck has a different connector and I need to use an adapter to match most trailers. What is lacking in this scenario? How, when, and why do you use a brake controller? How much of a trailer do you need before you start worrying about the brake controller? How many of us just want to get out of town and find electrical issues with their trailer? (My hand is raised.) What are some good debug strategies?
I like how you guys did the Gold Hitch Award Videos better before, rather than all these back and forth/behind the scenes clips. Nevertheless, the video was accurate and really explained the fairness behind your tests up the IKE Gauntelt!
How much did this trailer and load weigh? I did not hear you mention it even once in the video. I hear about how you have water in there and that is your weight... great to know... HOW MUCH WEIGHT?
@@blaing3354 Maybe because they (for some reason) did not use an equalizer hitch on the Infinity while they did on the GMC. Then they say the Infinity squatted, No Shit tSherlock. Look at time stamp 9.07. No equalizer hitch, just a conventional ball and hitch used.
I am, I have a 20ft car hauler to take my car to the track and rented a U-Haul to move (Tx/CA). I live in SoCal and most soccer moms have Yukon or Tahoes, them chicks ain’t ever towing
I dint know what it is, but Infiniti looks better. Maybe its the curves vs the block styling. I am surprised it squatted so much though. But interior was much nicer than that if the GMC. Great video, maybe lexus LX, vs all these or have a full shootout with all these big boys. Thx fellas Btw, did Andre and ken seem lil chippy with one another in couple of these clips??
We're like an old married couple, we have to argue. We we agreed on everything, it wouldn't help the comparison. We should see the trucks from different angle. Mostly I'm right
It looked like even in the new 10 speed Yukon trans your RPMs were bouncing. Did the Yukon have a hard time finding the right gear to climb? I don't tow enough to justify a tow specific vehicle so Im considering buying a slightly used 2018 Yukon XL Denali. Thx
You should do an Old vs.New with the Yukon and its' '70s equivalent (which would be more likely a Buick Estate Wagon or Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser than the actual GMC SUVs of the time).
and how many times did you see one of those two '70s vehicles towing that much in that size trailer? I'm going to guess never. It'd be more appropriate to compare a '70s F250 pickup.
I think one of the main reason why the Yukon has smaller mirrors is because it has lane departure warning. So you can adjust your mirrors On the trailer it self. But that’s just my opinion.
It's because it's considered a luxury vehicle for people who don't really tow much... just has the truck platform so it "can" if you need it to. Bigger mirrors would have been unsightly for the 96% of the time it's not being used to tow and if you really want to have good towing mirrors and can spend $80K on a vehicle to do it, you really ought to scrounge up another $300 for towing mirrors. They are not hard to install, but of course you'd be well enough off to pay someone to do that too.
But the Mirrors, on the GMC isn't there an option to upgrade them for larger one's for towing... I'm sure it might be in the GM option book? GM Performance catalog...
Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see a single manual downshift in this video nor any other ike gauntlet video. It seems like you guys let the automatic transmissions do all the thinking which makes a world of difference to rpm consistency and torque delivery.
Woof! Looks like we got the same Infiniti QX80 for our video! Come by and visit, woof woof :) Infiniti looks good but side by side next to this GM... we kinda like the GM exterior more!
I have an 09 infiniti QX 5.6 and I love it... I has 240,000 miles and and no problems what's so ever... runs strong and I also have an 2018 yukon but with a 5.3 and the infiniti is way stronger
Ok once again guys a good job! I have to say though, the Infinity must loose at least 10 points because it’s so ugly! Weird looking to. But the GMC gave it a good thrashing! About 30 sec quicker and 30% better mileage!
Wow, no use of towing mode on the Infiniti, and you didn't use the weight distributing hitch on the Infiniti! Very poor review, sorry guys I will not be back to your channel.
This has been going on for a while now. But you can tell these 2 annoy each other. Andre fuels the situation with his attitude and Mr. Truck fights back (don’t blame him) as he should. They need to sit down and talk it out.
But the Infinity Q80 only has a rear axle ration of 2.93,..hardly suitable for towing, and especially that load. I wonder what the numbers would have been if the Infinity had a taller gear ratio?
1988toyota i own a 8.1 and while it would be at lower rpm i think the 6.2 will outperform a 8.1 in the hills. but the 8.1 will out last these small blocks
GM fan I agree!..i also own a 8.1. mine is in a 2002 Yukon xl with 458000 on the engine. doesn't smoke, tick or make any funny noises..besides an exhaust leak😂
Expensive SUV that can’t pull or Platinum F450 same price. Kent stay tuff you got teased about the single hay bale and now your driving....Mr. Truck is literally the driving factor in the Ike Gauntlet Test.
Steven Ruble Infiniti’s got more room, and much more luxurious features as well as a better looking interior. QX looks more appealing to me. And in general the QX sounds badass
why do you rely on the computer for fuel mileage? has the computer ever been right on the mpg loop? no...and id rather see a 60 to 0 mph to compare each trucks brakes or 30 to 0 if you dont want to beat on the trucks , not how often i have to brake on the way down
We do it because there are no gas stations at over 11,000 feet of elevation. The logistics become too complicated to do a pump mpg check on the Ike Gauntlet. If we get more subscribers and more views, our budget will be higher and we can do more.
Your comparing two different things. Brake applications shows the software and drivetrains ability to safely manage a load down hill. Where as distance is more about crash avoidance
Phil G lol.. the Nissan Patrol that this is based off is 6 years old, the GMC is actually far newer. A GM product will never be on the same level as a Nissan one, ever. For comfort, reliability and off road capability the Infiniti is in a different league. Do some research before commenting.
Gmc turns off by itself after 20 minutes. Try taking a nap at the restop in cold weather In that car. Gm I s doing some pretty stupid things lately. I'll go with infinity just for that. Plus I want my v8 working all the time.
Anyone else think that every vehicle made by Infiniti is out to challenge the new Prius for the ugliest car award? QX is there best looking but even then it's not saying a lot.
I have the same 2018 qx80 and towed for the first time last night my 24 foot camper that weighs 4700 pounds with the tongue weight of around 470 pounds. Used a weight distribution hitch. I felt a little bit of stuttering or jerkiness when when accelerating at from a stop but mostly it was buttery smooth. Did you guys notice any of that? Any tips on connecting or disconnecting with the air ride suspension? Should you do this with the truck on or off?
