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

OP here.

Yes, 3/4T. Did they make the 1500 with 8.1L? I didn't think so but don't know. Suburban's GVWR is 8600 lb, curb weight estimated 5870 so cc is approximately 2830 max. Dry TW is 985 which I believe would leave 1845 for family + gear and a safety margin.

GAWR front is 4180, rear is 5500. I don't want to overload the rear axle either...I assume the pin weight all counts toward the rear GAW but not sure how to allocate cargo/family weight etc. without taking it to a scale.

Thanks all.

Dadoffourgirls wrote:
You would do fine. I would suggest that you replace the OEM hitch.

That was the first thing I did. Replaced it with a CURT XD.

ryanw821 wrote:

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

ryanw821 wrote:

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.

If it's the same as my 04, then its 2350lbs, give or take a couple pounds.

Not 100% sure by his wording, but OP makes it sound like the Suburban he is looking at IS NOT a 3/4 ton (like the trucks he had been looking at), the 1/2 ton burb will have much less payload carrying capacity.

OP can you clarify this?

Yeah, your right, I think the 1/2 ton is around 1500lbs. I'm just assuming a 3/4 since I think you can only get 8.1 in that configuration.

You could very well be right, I am not up on all the configurations of the suburbans.

To the OP if it is a 1/2 ton burb, you need to scrutinize all your weights very carefully, if its a 3/4 ton burb, I am pretty sure you will be just fine, unless you plan on carrying a full load of bricks or something while camping, lol ;)

I have 2005 3/4 Ton Suburban with 6.0L 4X4. Pulled a 29ft TT for several years. Moved to 3/4T after I tried the 1/2T Sub. The “Soccer Mom Suburban” does not handle well pulling 8K lbs and I was not fun driving. The 3/4T is great. MPG is always 7-8, and 13.5 not pulling, so it’s not a cheap vehicle to operate, but the ease of towing is very nice...I have moved to a Class w/Jeep Toad…

You would do fine. I would suggest that you replace the OEM hitch.

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

ryanw821 wrote:

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.

If it's the same as my 04, then its 2350lbs, give or take a couple pounds.

Not 100% sure by his wording, but OP makes it sound like the Suburban he is looking at IS NOT a 3/4 ton (like the trucks he had been looking at), the 1/2 ton burb will have much less payload carrying capacity.

OP can you clarify this?

Yeah, your right, I think the 1/2 ton is around 1500lbs. I'm just assuming a 3/4 since I think you can only get 8.1 in that configuration.

You could very well be right, I am not up on all the configurations of the suburbans.

To the OP if it is a 1/2 ton burb, you need to scrutinize all your weights very carefully, if its a 3/4 ton burb, I am pretty sure you will be just fine, unless you plan on carrying a full load of bricks or something while camping, lol ;)

ryanw821 wrote:

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.

If it's the same as my 04, then its 2350lbs, give or take a couple pounds.

Not 100% sure by his wording, but OP makes it sound like the Suburban he is looking at IS NOT a 3/4 ton (like the trucks he had been looking at), the 1/2 ton burb will have much less payload carrying capacity.

OP can you clarify this?

Yeah, your right, I think the 1/2 ton is around 1500lbs. I'm just assuming a 3/4 since I think you can only get 8.1 in that configuration.

SuburbanHauler310 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.

If it's the same as my 04, then its 2350lbs, give or take a couple pounds.

Not 100% sure by his wording, but OP makes it sound like the Suburban he is looking at IS NOT a 3/4 ton (like the trucks he had been looking at), the 1/2 ton burb will have much less payload carrying capacity.

OP can you clarify this?

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.

I tow a 29ft tip to tail TH with my 2004 3/4 Suburban. The trailer has a dry weight of 6400(7200+) and a TW of 920(1200+). We don't carry anything in the Suburban other than the kids, dogs and my wife and I while towing, about 900 pounds with gas. I haven't had any issues towing my trailer.

I did opt to get the 6.0 as mine is also a daily driver, so hills can be an issue, but I'm never in a hurry while towing.

Dakota98 wrote:
x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.

If it's the same as my 04, then its 2350lbs, give or take a couple pounds.

The GRVW is 8600lbs, with the way mine is optioned I have a max tow rating of 9900lbs. I'm pretty sure that the 8.1 will go to 12,000lbs when optioned correctly, but I doubt that the paylaod capacity changes, since its still a 3/4 ton Suburban.

x2 on what ryanw821 said.


Based upon your original posting on this subject & the recommendations offered there, the one piece of information that is the key to this entire situation is missing.

What is the "payload" capacity of the 2005 Suburban. If you don't know that, it's a******shoot.