Forum Discussion

ugh's avatar
ugh
Explorer
Feb 29, 2016

99 Chevy Suburban 1500

A friend of my is asking a lot of questions about his truck. It is 99 Chevy Suburban 1500. He said that his gross combine weight is 14,800 pound. I was puzzled on how he got that. He basically added the max two weight (8,000) and GVWR (6,800). Is that the right way?

He is trying to figure out how much weight he can pull. NADA says 8,000 pounds, but I don't think it applies to him as his truck is not diesel, but 350V8.
  • 4 spd trans means 3 useable towing gears for high walled RVs.
  • APT wrote:
    GCWR is closer to base curb weight + 150 pound driver + tow rating.

    Anyway, 3-spd auto and the 17 year old 5.7L - 5000 pounds tops loaded weight if it is in well maintained condition.


    Try 4 spd 4l60e trans, not a turbo 350/400 behind that motor!

    Issue will probably be the 3.42 gear sets if that is what Jerome is hinting at. my 4.10 geared rig with a 4l80 has some spunk. Not as much as some combo's, but not bad......

    marty
  • GCWR is closer to base curb weight + 150 pound driver + tow rating.

    Anyway, 3-spd auto and the 17 year old 5.7L - 5000 pounds tops loaded weight if it is in well maintained condition.
  • Cummins12V98 wrote:
    ugh wrote:
    A friend of my is asking a lot of questions about his truck. It is 99 Chevy Suburban 1500. He said that his gross combine weight is 14,800 pound. I was puzzled on how he got that. He basically added the max two weight (8,000) and GVWR (6,800). Is that the right way?

    He is trying to figure out how much weight he can pull. NADA says 8,000 pounds, but I don't think it applies to him as his truck is not diesel, but 350V8.


    I have a 99 Tahoe with the 5.7. It's a great running rig but there is no way I would try to tow anything over 4-5K.


    2x - I owned a 99 Yukon 4x4 with the 350. I towed a 6500lb trailer and it was maxed out.
  • Here is a great resource to start with

    1999 Towing Guide

    Looks like the 8,000 lb tow rating is for the 6.5 turbo diesel. The 5.7 Maxes out at 6,500 lbs towing.

    Good Luck.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • ugh wrote:
    A friend of my is asking a lot of questions about his truck. It is 99 Chevy Suburban 1500. He said that his gross combine weight is 14,800 pound. I was puzzled on how he got that. He basically added the max two weight (8,000) and GVWR (6,800). Is that the right way?

    He is trying to figure out how much weight he can pull. NADA says 8,000 pounds, but I don't think it applies to him as his truck is not diesel, but 350V8.


    I have a 99 Tahoe with the 5.7. It's a great running rig but there is no way I would try to tow anything over 4-5K.
  • IF he has 4.10's his gcwr is 13500 or around 8000 lbs of trailer if his burb weighs less than 5000 lbs with a driver full of fluids.
    373 is 12500
    3.42 is 11500
    3.08 is 10500

    With that said. He will run out of payload with his burb before he runs out of pulling power! I've pulled a 12K trailer with my 2000 c2500 with 4.10s and it was not what I would call an issue. I was going 45 up a 3% grae from a standstill at 18000+ pulling my equipment trailer with my MDT when a motor mount broke. Dad showed up in this truck. did not know he had it. Put the pintle hitch from Navistar into reciever of C2500, drove the trailer to a job site 10 miles away. My truck is 4700 empty mind you! yeah one of them stripper 3 factory option rigs. IE automatic, tow pkg and trim rings. Oh and cloth seats which is a N/C vs vinyl......

    Marty