Hello, I am enquiring about a 2005 Chevy suburban 2500 that is for sale in Dallas Texas. They are asking $9,995. It's done 120,000 miles and was a one owner vehicle with a very good Carfax history. (I am finding it very hard to find a 2500 series SUV, especially in Texas) this is our preferred choice as we need a 7 or 8 seater.The TT we are very keen on purchasing is a Dutchman Aerolite 250KBHS with a GVWR of 7600 lbs. I asked what the tow capacity was for the vehicle and this was the response."The maximum towing capacity depends on the axle ratio of the trailer used. With an axle ratio of 3.23 the maxium towing capacity is 6,700 lbs and with an axle ratio of 3.73 your maximum towing capacity is 7,700 lbs."I am waiting on a response from Aerolite for the axel weight.How does this all sound to you guy's? And am I cutting it fine in regards to towing capacity?

Mik68 wrote:Hello, I am enquiring about a 2005 Chevy suburban 2500 that is for sale in Dallas Texas. They are asking $9,995. It's done 120,000 miles and was a one owner vehicle with a very good Carfax history. (I am finding it very hard to find a 2500 series SUV, especially in Texas) this is our preferred choice as we need a 7 or 8 seater.The TT we are very keen on purchasing is a Dutchman Aerolite 250KBHS with a GVWR of 7600 lbs. I asked what the tow capacity was for the vehicle and this was the response."The maximum towing capacity depends on the axle ratio of the trailer used. With an axle ratio of 3.23 the maxium towing capacity is 6,700 lbs and with an axle ratio of 3.73 your maximum towing capacity is 7,700 lbs."I am waiting on a response from Aerolite for the axel weight.How does this all sound to you guy's? And am I cutting it fine in regards to towing capacity?Regardless of the axle ratio - yes you are cutting it fine, but more so with the 3.23 than the 3.73.Although you will be pushing your towing ability a little past its limits, where that 7000#+ trailer is going to hurt is the 1000# plus tongue weight. That is probably the limit of the 'burb hitch and eats up a good chunk of the available payload for the truck. Depending on how many people and how much "stuff" you plan to carry will determine whether you can stay within the truck ratings.I for one would not want to push a truck with 120,000 miles on it too hard. I think you are asking a lot of it.Note - not sure where the axle weights of the Aerolite comes in, it's the weight on the rear axle of the 'burb you need to keep an eye on.Also, curiosity got the better of me - are you planning on shipping the 'burb to Oz?

I think you meant to say the axle ratio of the vehicle. Look in the glove box of the Suburban for a factory options sheet that will have a code to indicate the gear ratio when the suburban was built.There is no axle ratio for the trailer, only an axle weight limit per axle like 3500 lb etc. Two axles would mean a total 7000lb capacity.The gear ratio of the vehicle will determine the max load you can tow.

kaydeejay wrote:Regardless of the axle ratio - yes you are cutting it fine, but more so with the 3.23 than the 3.73.Although you will be pushing your towing ability a little past its limits, where that 7000#+ trailer is going to hurt is the 1000# plus tongue weight. That is probably the limit of the 'burb hitch and eats up a good chunk of the available payload for the truck. Depending on how many people and how much "stuff" you plan to carry will determine whether you can stay within the truck ratings.I for one would not want to push a truck with 120,000 miles on it too hard. I think you are asking a lot of it.Note - not sure where the axle weights of the Aerolite comes in, it's the weight on the rear axle of the 'burb you need to keep an eye on.Also, curiosity got the better of me - are you planning on shipping the 'burb to Oz?Right, so I will ask what the payload is and axel weight is of the 'burb.And no! Not going to bring back to Oz.

wrgrs50s wrote:I think you meant to say the axle ratio of the vehicle. Look in the glove box of the Suburban for a factory options sheet that will have a code to indicate the gear ratio when the suburban was built.There is no axle ratio for the trailer, only an axle weight limit per axle like 3500 lb etc. Two axles would mean a total 7000lb capacity.The gear ratio of the vehicle will determine the max load you can tow.Ok, I was just quoting the words of the car salesman. I need to ask him the axel weight of the vehicle. You think he would of known that being in the industry? :h

He is a salesman, thats all. You will have to do your own research. If you can get the VIN number you can have a GM dealer run it and get the answer on the axle ratio in the Burb. There should be a sticker on the drivers door that has the payload rating. You will have to take the weight of your family and any gear you plan to carry in the Burb and subtract that from the payload capacity, that is what you will have available for the tongue weight.I don't think 120,000 miles is too bad. You didn't mention what engine is in it, 6.0 or 8.1. About forgot to add that I would be surprised to see a 3.23 rear end in a 2500.

Axel weight ??? | Good Sam Community

ktosv
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Congrats, should be an excellent tow vehicle. Also looks like it was in really good condition...
Mik68
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
APT wrote:
Yay! I was just wondering about you yesterday if you found something yet. Thankfully you have a 39 gallon fuel tank to stretch the towing miles!

I dint know that! 39 gallon is pretty descent. I have a 47.5 gallon (180 litre) tank in my Toyota prado which is standard.
So at roughly $3.50 per gallon for gas X 39 = $136.50 to fill. Cheaper than Oz. Costs me $270 to fill my prado at $5.67 per gallon.
And at roughly 9 miles per gallon I should be able to travel 350 miles, more than I plan to travel in one day.
intheburbs
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Awesome! Congratulations! That's a monster TV. You're going to love it.
APT
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
Yay! I was just wondering about you yesterday if you found something yet. Thankfully you have a 39 gallon fuel tank to stretch the towing miles!
Mik68
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
intheburbs wrote:
That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

FYI, I ended up buying this vehicle. Thanks for the link Intheburbs. Got a 172point vehicle inspection done on it, good Carfax report, not bad mileage. Can't wait to drive this big sucker. Hope the gas stations aren't to far apart. ;)
Mik68
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
intheburbs wrote:
That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

Thanks for this, good find. I'm trying to have it checked out. quite difficult being on other side of the world.
APT
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
All gas engines of 2000-2005 era in 3/4+ and 1-ton trucks/SUVs get about 8-10mpg towing. You should budget for 8mpg, maybe 7mpg towing. You might do a little better, maybe up to 10mpg. But you'll be a lot happier if you budget for 8 and get 8-9 vs. 10 and get 8-9. 8.1L or 6.0L, 8mpg towing. Not towing the 8.1L will get more like 10mpg city and 12 highway. The 6.0L is better, 12/15mpg.

Ford Excursion V10 is a very good option. I personally do not like the Excursion as much as Suburban of same years. But many people love theirs. The V10 is similar power to the 8.1L and gets closer to GM 6.0L fuel economy non towing.
Mik68
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Ok guy's, just so i can get a clearer picture of how much gas the 8.1 actually guzzles and sorry if I'm starting to bore you. But,
How does it fair against other tow vehicles like the 250/2500 trucks for example?
I want to be able to tow with ease obviously but don't want to spend half my budget on gas, it would be nice to have a filet mignon for dinner occasionally. :)
P.S. These car salesman are slow at replying to emails, no doubt they want me to phone.
APT
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
I love my 6.0L 2500 Burb. But I have a newer one, a tiny bit more power, and far better gearing of the 6-spd. The older 4-dps with 6.0L I personally do no recommend. The 8.1L with either axle ratio are just that much better for towing. Everyone that has the 6.0L says towing is acceptable performance. Everyone with the 8.1L says towing is a dream.

Towing fuel use is the same. Non towing the 8.1L does suffer quite a bit from the 6.0L. I would say 20% more non towing fuel cost for 8.1L. So if you expect a lot of non towing miles, the trade off may be worth it for you. Plus there are far more 6.0L available.

Movies on the road? Uou can buy a single portable DVD player for about $60 and dual screen systems with velcro straps to the headrest for under $100. The integrated is nice as parents can control easier. And today's mobile devices like iPods/iPads offer a lot of versatility to entertain the kids while traveling. Anyway, they are nice. We had OEM DVD in our last 3 family vehicles and still use it. But there are other solutions so I would not prioritize it in the already low inventory of your target vehicle.

I cannot comment on independent vehicle assessor. Maybe find a local mechanic in the same area as the vehicle?
intheburbs
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
6.0 vs 8.1

Roast beef vs filet mignon

Both will get you protein. But you'll enjoy one much more than the other.

Yes, the 8.1 is a gas hog. But it's a 496 cubic inch monster that will run on regular gas, and outpull a lot of diesels.

6.0's mileage is bad. 8.1 mileage is REALLY bad.

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