davidsuburban
Midwest
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Joined: 02/09/2010
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Hello:
New to forum and new to camping. Sorry for posting a question undoubtably posted many times, but I am in need of some good advice.
I have a 2009 Suburban LTZ with a towing package. The manual notes that I have a 1500 4WD 5.3l V8 with a K5L HD cooling package. The axle ratio is 3.42, and the stated maximum trailer weight is 7900 lbs with a GCWR of 14,000.
I scaled the truck with a full tank of gas and with me in the vehicle, the scale weight is 6,630 lbs.
I currently have a 1999 Dutchman Classic GL (I think it is 26' long but do not know the exact model number at this time - trailer is in storage). Towing this trailer feels safe. I have a Reese hitch rated for 1000 lb. (model 17-22). I feel like towing a substantially heavier trailer may stress my vehicle.
I am looking at a new Outback travel trailer with a weight of 7400 lbs. My family and I would like to spend a month this summer visiting the Black Hills and Yellowstone or Grand Canyon.
Do you think I can pull a 7400 trailer or is this asking too much of my vehicle, especially considering the incline of the Rockies?
Would moving up to a 3/4 Suburban help?
Thank you for any assistance.
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skipnchar
Google Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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If that 7,400 lb. is the GVWR of the trailer and you don't pack too heavily you would JUST be within your rated capacity. If that 7,400 lb. is the brochure UVW then you would NEVER see that weight. The trailer will weigh at least 500 lb. more than that when it arrives (due to optional equipment that is not included in the UVW) THEN when you begin loading your personal stuff into the trailer it only gets worse from there. MOST people when traveling will carry between 500 lb. of gear and 1500 lb. of gear. IN most cases the larger the family the heavier they load. It is always BEST to consider the GVWR of a trailer when it's suspect that your tow vehicle can handle the weight.
The rated towing capacity of your vehicle is actually more of a warranty issue than one of safety. If you tow overweight then GM has an easy "out" if you drop a transmission, break a suspension part or have other problems related to weight. There are two OTHER numbers that relate directly to the SAFETY of towing and that is the GVWR of the tow vehicle (how much the loaded vehicle may weigh, and this includes all passengers, cargo, optional equipment and the tongue weight of the trailer you're towing). The other safety related number is the GAWR (Gross axle weight rating). This is the amount of weight carried on the rear axle itself. Exceed either of these numbers and it would become a safety concern.
The Suburban is a good tow vehicle but like any OTHER tow vehicle it has a nitch into which it belongs. Be safe and enjoy life / Skip
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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prov431
NC
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Joined: 01/11/2010
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davidsuburban wrote: The axle ratio is 3.42, and the stated maximum trailer weight is 7900 lbs with a GCWR of 14,000.
I scaled the truck with a full tank of gas and with me in the vehicle, the scale weight is 6,630 lbs.
I am looking at a new Outback travel trailer with a weight of 7400 lbs. My family and I would like to spend a month this summer visiting the Black Hills and Yellowstone or Grand Canyon.
Do you think I can pull a 7400 trailer or is this asking too much of my vehicle, especially considering the incline of the Rockies?
Would moving up to a 3/4 Suburban help?
Thank you for any assistance.
I think you answered your own question. First of all, a 3.42 axle ratio is a highway/good mpg gear for large SUV's. It's certainly not designed for towing at all.
Secondly, the thought of putting a 7400 lb trailer behind that truck would be unsafe to say the least. You would be over your maximum combined weight without even putting anything in the TT.
Either a new tow vehicle or a much lighter TT is in order I'd say.
Dan
N. Carolina
2010 Keystone Sprinter 264BHS 31' 6,800#
Husky Centerline WDH
Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Control
Rear View Wired Camera
2008 Toyota Tundra 5.7 w/4.30 gear(10,400# tow cap.)
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usmc616
Orange County New York
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I bought an Excursion to replace my 1500 Suburban as the new Tow Vehicle. Be safe and if you want the new TT look at getting a different TV, maybe 3/4 ton pick up .
Semper Fi
Joe, Joyce 4 kids and 2 dogs
2004 Ford Excursion LTD. 4x4 6.8 V-10 3.73 Gears
2010 Jayco G2 32BHDS at dealer.
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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The 3.42 is no where near a towing package axle. I would look at changing to a 4.10 axle and then no way I would try towing 7400# in the hills...unless you like to spend a lot of time in 2nd gear wwith the engine at 5000 rpm.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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redwake
Visalia, CA
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Joined: 08/18/2008
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im loaded around 7k, i wouldn't want to go any larger with my TV which has basically the same power package as yours.
TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 06 Sierra K1500 SLE Crew - 3.73:1 4x4 w/5.3L
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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..I took a brief look at Keystone's web page, and I'm betting based on what I saw there and what you've said, that this trailer you're referring to that is 7400 lbs, is their new 312BH model, yes?
If so, then the answer is basically, 'Don't even think about it', haha. That trailer is listed as weighing 7304 lbs completely empty, and is 35' long. 7304 lbs empty will translate into well over 8,000 lbs by the time its had a few common options added, loaded with everything you'll put in it, etc. Will probably be around 8500 loaded.
That being the case...8500 lbs and 35' of length with a newer model 1/2 ton Suburban with 3.42 gearing.....Is NOT something I would recommend. I doubt any others on here will, either.
Moving up to a 3/4 ton Suburban would definitely be a step in the right direction. Only thing I'd watch with the newer Suburbans: Check the OEM receiver limitations. Newer Suburbans (even 3/4 ton version) has a receiver thats limited to 1,000 lbs of tongue weight, and it is just about impossible to upgrade that receiver. This came up in a previous thread on here. Might actually be better off to try and find one of the older, used Suburbans from early 2000s up through 'bout 2006, that had the big 8.1 V8 and a better OEM receiver.
* This post was
edited 02/09/10 10:39am by willald *
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4 ("No Taxpayers were harmed by the makers of this truck")
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
Our Rig
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Diabs
Toronto, Ontario
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Joined: 03/29/2006
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I'm pulling 6500lbs, and my rig is rated for 8100lbs or so....
Even though I'm way under, this is max for comfortable towing....
Manageable for everyday and the odd trip through some mountains...
The 5.3 is a good engine, but once you go over 6500lbs,IMO....you need more truck. I'm 29.5ft ball to bumper, and I can't imagine another 5ft, and I have the XL !
With that new rig u want, you gonna need 3/4.......IMO
Any camping is good camping!
DH & DW , DD x 2
2008 Salem 27RB LTD
Yukon XL 1500 5.3 SLT 2WD
Prodigy BC, DC Reese WD, Scan Gauge II
Days camped in 2008 -38-
Days camped in 2009 - 30 -
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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You will be so far over the rating once loaded up, I don't think you will get halfway through the trip before you toast the differential. The diff in the Suburban and Express1500 does not like being overloaded. There been several members on this forum who were actually a little under their max GCWR, and still toasted their differentials
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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Tinbangertom
Ottawa, Canada
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When we decided to buy a new tt, it just happened to be the outback 310bhs and knew that we had to buy a new tv, I wasted no time in deciding on the diesel (DW had no say lol) and knowing that our travelling would involve some hills in the future, we werent taking any chances. 2007 turbo duramax 6.6
 Tom
 Laura
 Kirstyn
 Deanna
 Grumpy Gramps
 Teddy Bear
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