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jbloch's avatar
jbloch
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015

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

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.
  • Towing weight is rarely the problem, and with the 8.1L, power probably wont be either, but you may have issues with that tongue weight, you would need to see what hitch rating, and carrying capacity are for that suburban on its door sticker (each truck build is a bit different based on options like leather, 4x4, etc...). Take your the suburbans carrying cap, subtract all people, gear, fuel (6.3Lb/Gal-Gasoline, ~7lb/gal-Diesel, diesel varies a bit by blend), and hitch weight (my hitch bar is something like 60lbs) carried in it, if you have enough left over for your tongue weight it should be safe to tow, I leave some margin for safety, the more weight in trailer, and LP, batteries, etc all will add more weight to tongue, so you need to have more than what they will claim.

    There's really no such thing as TOO MUCH truck, but there is such a thing as too little truck, lol
  • If those are all the dry weights they are basically worthless. Add about 1000 lbs.(propane tanks, battries, bedding pots and pans food ect) to that number and then figure your tongue weight will be between 10-14%.

    For the TV look at the door sticker that lists the payload capacity of the vehicle, and remember that is that actual max weight rating form the factory. The burb has plenty of power to pull that TT you just may be lacking on the payload side.

    Some will say it is ok to go over payload, and some will say you need at least a 20% buffer. That decision is up to you.

    Just be aware that dry weight is not a good guide.