Chev Sub as a dinghy?

CCoffin,

The first thing you need to do is check your hitch rating on the RV. If it’s rated at 10k lbs, I’d follow “Fire Up” advice above and go for it. I have been flat towing my 1996 Chevy suburban 2wd for the past 8 years behind my 2005 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a 400 hp Cummins engine. Since my suburban is 2wd I had to install a Remco Disconnect kit. I lube the disconnect kit at every engine oil change and have not experienced any problems with it. My tow bar, base plate and safety chains came from Blue Ox and is rated at 10K each. The suburban tows wonderfully behind my RV and stopping is not a problem with or without the exhaust brake activated.

Fitz

Depending on the size of the Palazzo, the difference between GVWR and GCWR is 4000 or 5000 pounds. I'd guess, and it's a guess, the Suburban is at least 5000 and closer to 6000. Coach has the Cummins 300HP ISB diesel, would probably would pull OK, and chances are the coach won't be loaded to the full 26000 or 28000 GVWR.
I see lots of people with diesel pushers towing big vehicles. Hummers, Suburbans, Silverados, etc etc. I just pray they have supplemental braking with a breakaway feature. That's a huge deadly missile if it gets loose, and the coach that lost it won't be the vehicle it collides with.

ccoffin,
I cannot help you with a direct answer to your question as we don't tow a suburban. We tow an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab and, carry a Honda GL1800 Goldwing in the back of it using a "Rampage" lift.

Now, according to my 2003 Dinghy Towing Guide, your Suburban 4x4 IS flat towable and, according to the "notes" that are with that particular vehicle:

** Transfer case must be in NEUTRAL, ignition in the OFF position, and the fuse removed.


We don't have to pull any fuses for our GMC so, like what's been stated, you should dive into the owners manual for it and see what it says about flat towing behind a motor home etc. Now, one more thing. It also states your Suburban is in the vicinity of 5123 lbs. Well, you can take that for what its worth or, do like I've done and take your Suburban to a certified scale (Refuse disposal, Recycle establishment, Moving and Van business etc.) and REALLY see what it actually weighs. I've proved those Dinghy Towing guides wrong twice in a row with our toads.

Our GMC is supposed to weigh 4875 and is sitting right at 5300 with a full tank of fuel. So, the reason I push this is, if you've determined the weight of your coach, the GCWR of it, and calculated what hitch/tow bar system you either have or are thinking about purchasing, your ACTUAL weight of the Suburban may put you over any given limit. It's always good to be dead sure of what you've got. Good luck.

Scott

What does the Suburban weigh? What is your RV's tow rating?

According to the 2002 & 2004 MH dinghy guide 4wd Suburban is towable. For some reason I don't have the 2003 guide. Dick

If the sub is such that the transfer case can be placed in neutral it can probably be towed 4 down. Check the book that came with the vehicle to make sure about yours. A friend towed his but he had a big engine high dollar motor home. Whether it can be towed with your current motor home is another separate question. You need to make sure the coach as well as the installed hitch is rated to tow the weight of the intended toad.