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davehultin's avatar
davehultin
Explorer III
Jun 15, 2015

How do I know if I have the HD cooling package?

We have a 2009 Suburban (1500) ... we upgraded to this tow vehicle last year (from a '99 Yukon) to pull our Rockwood Roo 23SS. Now a Roo 23IKSS is starting to catch our eye, but the extra 460 pounds of weight makes me wonder if that's more than we should be asking from our Suburban.

But ... looking at the burb's specs, if we have the K5L HD Cooling Pkg my tow capacity jumps from 5700 pounds to 8200 pounds, which would be more than enough to pull the 23IKSS, which weighs in at just over 5000 pounds.

So, what the heck is the K5L HD Cooling Pkg, and how do I know if I have it? I suspect a don't ... the hint Mr. Google gave me was that if I have it, I'd have an integrated brake controller too, and I know I don't have that.

Side note: The rule of thumb I've always heard is that the trailer shouldn't exceed 80% of the weight of the tow vehicle's capacity. If my capacity truly is at 5700 pounds, then I just discovered my Roo 23SS is pushing about 250 pounds past that rule of them. YIKES!
Tow Vehicles

8 Replies

  • gmcsmoke's avatar
    gmcsmoke
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    just look up a GM vin decoder online to see what options your burb came with.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    Careful of seeing these codes as an absolute...meaning that there are 'packages'
    that has individual code options embedded in them...

    Like, K5L from this site RPO Codes - Chevrolet Truck Tahoe says it is "Trailering Package, heavy-duty"

    Does that have HD cooling system? Most likely...

    Look up/search for: "GM RPO Code" and you will get many sites that list them
    Some say *ALL* of them...but OEMs are constantly adding/changing options...so
    they are only as good as they day they released their lists

    There are other RPO codes that reference HD cooling too, so you might
    have one of them...or not...as most half ton SUV's and Pickups are
    sold to 'car' folks who do NOT tow. Guessing over 95% of the folks who
    order half ton SUVs and Pickups do not tow
  • Tystevens's avatar
    Tystevens
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    There are several websites that list the description of all of the codes on the sticker. Google one and find the code you are looking for.
  • davehultin's avatar
    davehultin
    Explorer III
    Jun 15, 2015
    Well, no K5L in that lineup of codes. I'm bummed, but not surprised.

    So where's the plain-english definition of what all those codes mean? For instance, how do you find a rear axle ratio out of all that alphabet soup?
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2015
    Yep, look for tr K5L in the RPO code sticker list in the glovebox...you can find all kind of goodies...like..what your rear axle ratio is and that sort of thing.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • 4X4Dodger's avatar
    4X4Dodger
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2015
    deltabravo wrote:
    Check the sticker in the glove box and you will see all those three digit codes. Look for K5L.

    You can also go to the dealer and ask them for a "build sheet" which prints out as built specs of your Sub.


    x2 This is the only way to truly know for sure...
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 15, 2015
    Check the sticker in the glove box and you will see all those three digit codes. Look for K5L.

    You can also go to the dealer and ask them for a "build sheet" which prints out as built specs of your Sub.

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