'05 Suburban 8.1L vs. 3/4 ton as dedicated TV

jbloch wrote:
I have been searching for a used (~2003-2005) 3/4 ton truck to use as a dedicated TV but am considering going with a 2005 Suburban with the 8.1L with 130k miles on it.

Specs on my TT are:

Dry weight: 6575
TW: 980
Length: 33'

Can anyone advise how the towing experience will differ in general between the burb and a 3/4 ton? We will only use this to tow maybe twice a month with occasional longer trips.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I use to have a 2003 K2500 Suburban, 6.0 with the 4.10 rear axle and it even had the Quadrasteer rear axle. It had LT trim. The GCWR is 16,000# and the truck with all the options a Burb has in the LT less the 75# beast of a 3rd seat weighed 7,560# with full gas, 2 adults and 350# of camping gear inside and the hitch head. I have measured and weighed mine about 6 ways from next Tuesday... and if all that data can help you, great!

With a properly adjusted WD hitch, and the weights above, the truck can handle a 1,200# loaded trailer TW and not go over the 8,600# GVWR. It weighed 8,500 GVW. And the rear axle was loaded to 5,040# against the 5,500# rating. While the axle may handle more, the truck springs may not. The LT-E tires could.

The 8.1 and the Quadrasteer rear end adds about the same weight to the truck. ~ 300# more. The Q steer only came in the 6.0 as it could not handle the torque of the 8.1.

The 8.1 with the 3.73 rear axle was rated at 17,000# GCWR and the 4.10 took it to 19,000# GCWR if you had 4 x 4.

Pulling with the 8.1 is not so much an issue but loaded tongue weight can be. 1,200# TW with family inside will be your limit.

You stated 33 feet, for me, on a 130" wheel base with with a 65" rear overhand (ball to center of rear axle) if you towing that long and in the weight range you are, I would recommend a Hensley or a Propride hitch and change the GM receiver. I know the Reese DC very well and I know the limits the high friction hitches can have.

My Burb was a really good truck and I miss it. But I found it's limitations when length and weight come into the equation and when towing mountains on the "east" coast.

If you get the exact same 8.1 engine with the 4.10 rear axle in a 2500HD crew cab pickup, it can haul more weight, have greater towing stability and pull more camper because the truck weighs less to start with on a longer wheel base. The crew cab has the same seats as the Burb less the 3rd row seat. And by the way, the used 2500HD will cost less in most cases. If you can find that 8.1/4.10 2500HD they had the Allison transmission. Point being, a 3/4 ton PU will out haul any 3/4 ton SUV with the same engine and drive train. The creature comforts of the Burb come with a price, added truck weight and less towing capability. It is not saying that are not good towing trucks, but all within their ratings.

Your trailer,
Dry weight: 6575
TW: 980
Length: 33'

That trailer is starting with a 14.9% dry TW. It will tow very stable, but what is the floor plan? Is it by chance a rear living layout or maybe a front kitchen? I have had 2 of the rear living layouts, and really love those layouts but they come with very high tongue weights when loaded. And that was one of the reasons I had to sell my Burb and upgrade to a PU, loaded TW and not enough tow rating.

If you can link the camper you are looking at, I can see how it will load and estimate where you any end up. Floor plan drives the loaded TW as you can only put gear most times where the floor plan allows.

Hope this helps and good luck

John

The camper in our sig


Our prior smaller camper