2005 Suburban 2500

TYPO....I meant I would NOT run out and look for a smaller TT either...LOL sorry!

Yeah, once the kids went off to college the 3rd row sits in the garage 99% of the time. Once in a while if I need to carpool a crowd I'll clean it off and put it back in. I figure why carry the weight around?

Our TT is 8500 lbs loaded, tongue weight is about 1200. The last time I weighed, and that was in 2008 right after we got this TT, our family of 4 with two dogs, 3rd row seat, and minimal luggage in the truck put us right at 8600 lbs.

I've also run to the beach in NY with 5 adults, a load of firewood and a 100qt cooler packed to the max in the back of the truck, along with a fishing rack and gear on the front hitch. Didn't stop at the scale but had to be 9000+ lbs on that trip. Honestly didn't drive any different.

BurbMan wrote:

mrgrim007 wrote:
Ugh...I thought I had more payload. Can't believe I didn't understand payload.

I think you understand it just fine. The issue is that the spec page you link to lists a curb weight of 5668. Many times mfrs will list the curb weight at the base model and not provide any adjusted numbers for the additional weight of options. You may have more or less payload depending on what's in your truck. Heck, take out that 3rd row seat and that's 75 lbs right there LOL.

Next time you're out tooling around, stop by a local scale and weigh just the truck. There are scales at moving companies, scrap yards and town dumps, along with the truck stops that the big boys use.

I would run out and look for a smaller TT either...I've had my burb overloaded by a few hundred lbs on a few trips and it handled just fine.

You read my mind! I was thinking about pulling out the back seat too haha.

There are some scales not too far from me so hopefully I can get there this week. Thanks!

mrgrim007 wrote:
Ugh...I thought I had more payload. Can't believe I didn't understand payload.

I think you understand it just fine. The issue is that the spec page you link to lists a curb weight of 5668. Many times mfrs will list the curb weight at the base model and not provide any adjusted numbers for the additional weight of options. You may have more or less payload depending on what's in your truck. Heck, take out that 3rd row seat and that's 75 lbs right there LOL.

Next time you're out tooling around, stop by a local scale and weigh just the truck. There are scales at moving companies, scrap yards and town dumps, along with the truck stops that the big boys use.

I would run out and look for a smaller TT either...I've had my burb overloaded by a few hundred lbs on a few trips and it handled just fine.

The payload stickers (Tire and Loading Label) were required in 2006, but some manufacturers started earlier. 2100 for a 4WD 8.1L loaded LT is better than I expected. I remember one other owner listing some scale weights right around 2000 left, but maybe that was with some extras inside.

BurbMan wrote:
That big motor is heavy and so are the options. mine is an LT so has all bells/whistles. At the scales empty except for me and a full tank of gas it weighed in at 6700 against a GVWR of 8600, so accounting for my 250, payload is really about 2150. A 6.0L LS model will weigh less and have a higher payload capacity since the GVWR is the same.

Ugh...I thought I had more payload. Can't believe I didn't understand payload. At least I don't think I was ever over loaded. Nothing extra was in the Burb. Time to look for a lighter trailer to tow! haha

Anyway, I agree that the motor is the main thing to look at. Ours is a 2002. Bought it for $9600 with 104k. Towed our TT up the mountains and had no problems.

jbres wrote:
Looking at 2005 suburban 2500 (I posted on an earlier thread about this)
I have heard if you want to switch out the rear end from a 3.73 to a 4.10 it will increase your towing capacity way up to like the 12000 most of these suburbans have...
Is this true?

I don't think I will need it for towing my loaded 7000-7500# tt, but just in case I would need to, is it true this increases your capacities?

I'm assuming you already know this, but you focus here on the gearing, but you can't switch out an engine. Regardless of gearing, the 6.0 will only go so far, the 8.1 is a beast and will do a lot with the 3,73 and even more with the 4.1.

As far as payload. I have a 2006 with the 8.1 and 4.1's. My available payload is 2,100. We had to settle on getting one with some cosmetic dings, but got one with 49,000 miles and a Brakesmart controller for 18k. So, they are out there - but you have to look!

That big motor is heavy and so are the options. mine is an LT so has all bells/whistles. At the scales empty except for me and a full tank of gas it weighed in at 6700 against a GVWR of 8600, so accounting for my 250, payload is really about 2150. A 6.0L LS model will weigh less and have a higher payload capacity since the GVWR is the same.

APT wrote:
Payload is about 2300 pounds for the 6.0L and 2000 pounds for 8.1L, both 4WD. Plenty for large family RVing.

I think as long as it has the 8.1L, you'll love it.

I would not say most of the 2000-2006 3/4 ton Suburbans have 12k towing capacity. Most are 6.0L which has tow ratings of 7500/9500 pounds for 3.73/4.10 axles. 8.1L is 10.5k/12k for 3.73/4.10.

I looked for about a year for a very selective 8.1L and ended up buying new instead. Good luck!

I thought the 8.1s had more payload than that?
My 'Burban specs.

This says my 'Burban has ~2,900 lbs of payload. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the numbers. I can't find where on my truck it states my payload. The yellow sticker doesn't show this number.

If you find a lower mileage(under 100k) 8.1L, act quickly. They go fast. And be prepared to pay higher blue book values. I looked for months, finally found a nice LT in AZ. But it sold in under an hour. The next one I jumped on from TX. I like how it tows without straining.

Payload is about 2300 pounds for the 6.0L and 2000 pounds for 8.1L, both 4WD. Plenty for large family RVing.

I think as long as it has the 8.1L, you'll love it.

I would not say most of the 2000-2006 3/4 ton Suburbans have 12k towing capacity. Most are 6.0L which has tow ratings of 7500/9500 pounds for 3.73/4.10 axles. 8.1L is 10.5k/12k for 3.73/4.10.

I looked for about a year for a very selective 8.1L and ended up buying new instead. Good luck!