Towing 2003 Suburban 1500 4X4

Thanks guys. I truly value all of your expertise. I do plan on having the Sunseeker for a while. So I am starting to think I will not tow at all. Unless I get small vehicle just for towing.

My last concern in the CCC. The 2015 Sunseeker I ordered has every option (satellite, auto levelers, etc). Has anyone on here ordered a fully loaded Sunseeker recently?

What was your CCC? estimates?

I may have screwed myself by doing that (10% down/ordered already). I will have to wait and see until I go and pick it up. I heard they weight each RV and put a little sticker on the door. I will also be weighing it myself.

Thanks,

Jeff

Uncutbulldog wrote:
Earnest,

Thank you for your reply. I want my family to be safe. I checked with forest river and my hitch is indeed going to be 7500/750. I will have a braking system in the suburban as well.

Do you still have the same concerns?

Thanks again for your input.

Jeff

Hello Jeff,
Because you asked I went to the forest river site and they have this brochure, http://www.forestriverinc.com/downloads/default.aspx?page=/brochures/2014/2014sunlbrochure.pdf
I don't know whether it is current but it lists the hitch rating at 7,500/500. That wouldn't be unreasonable for a ford chassis.

The 7500 would be well within the range of your suburban.

On the other hand I think you'll be pushing the GVWR & GCWR very easily.
My Estimate
MH: 12,100
MH Contents(&7 people):3,000
Sub: 6,000

The 15,100 is 600 lbs over the GVWR and the 21,100 is just under the 22,000 GCWR. If you use the Suburban for storage when trailing that 6,000 would obviously be low. We all tend to put a fair amount (the old suitcase theory) so I realistically think I'm low on the 3,000 lbs for the people and content for the MH. What about bikes?

The one thing to consider is if somehow you stay within the technical spec's you will be working that ford for all she's worth so you may not get the life out of it depending on how many years you expect to have it.

Good luck

Earnest,

Thank you for your reply. I want my family to be safe. I checked with forest river and my hitch is indeed going to be 7500/750. I will have a braking system in the suburban as well.

Do you still have the same concerns?

Thanks again for your input.

Jeff

Uncutbulldog wrote:
Hello All,

First post of many I hope. My wife and I are buying our first RV soon.

My wife and I are thinking about buying a 2014 Forest River 3170ds. My question is will I be able to dinghy pull my 2003 Suburban 1500 4X4 (safely).

We have a family of seven so we want to be able to sleep 8 and tow our suburban anywhere we go.

We love the 3170ds but I want to make sure I can pull my suburban with it. If not, any suggestions one what motorhome to buy that will sleep 7 and pull our suburban?

2014 ForestRiver Sunseeker 3170ds:
Dry weight: 12,378
GCWR: 22,000 lbs
GVWR: 14,500 lbs
Engine: Ford 6.8L V10
Hitch rating: 5K/500Hitch rating :5k/500

2003 Suburban:
Curb Weight 5219Curb Weight 5219 lbs

If the spec's you've listed are accurate you should not buy the MH or you need to change your Toad.

That 5K rating is based upon the hitch connection to the frame of the motorhome. By overloading that point which will happen at every turn and brake/acceleration the failure should come quite early and you'll lose the toad with maybe other damage done to others and your motorhome.

I know you want this motorhome but please don't risk your family and others.

Uncutbulldog wrote:
What is your reference for that? I am actually getting at 2015 3170ds from RV direct. I can't find where it says 7500/750 for towing. That would be awesome!

Here is the link to the Forest River site.

Sunseeker Features

You can see it listed under 'exterior'. With the exception of the Chevy chassis models and the 2300, all of the hitches are 750/7500.

The RVdirect website is out of date...not only on the hitch but also on the tank sizes.. at least the last time I looked. I ordered a 3010DS from them at the beginning of Feb....should be ready about the end of April.

What is your reference for that? I am actually getting at 2015 3170ds from RV direct. I can't find where it says 7500/750 for towing. That would be awesome!

Is the Sunseeker you are considering an earlier 2014 model? The current 2014 models (starting in about October I think) have 750/7500 hitches.

Suggest you weigh both units before you commit to this. We did, and our coach and toad truck were both at least 10% heavier than we anticipated.
Also, be sure the 'burb is a towable truck. We have a Dinghy Towing forum that can help with that question.

Using the Suburban`s curb weight is not realistic. The rated GVWR for that year was 7200#. If you have yours weighed (and you should) I think you`ll find it to be over 6K. Good luck...

My 31 foot forest river does a fine job of cocktails for 6, dinner for 4 and sleeps 2. We are on the road about 50% of the time and that contributes to the regard for personal space. The forest river does have a lot of storage, so carrying extra camping gear is available. Our Black water tank is good for about 6-7 days with two people with conservation. With 8 people I would figure on a day and a half.
I tow a small truck about 4000 lbs and performance is very good in mountain environments.

Good luck