cw2006 wrote:
1500 4x4 Z71 Suburban with 3.73
GVWR 7200
GCWR 13000
GAWR 3450 front / 4000 rear
The car spends %99.99 of it's time as family car, and %00.01 as tow vehicle.
With family (6+dog) and trailer loaded on the scales, TV came in at 7300 and total 12500. i.e. TV is overweight by %1.3 and rear axle is over by 50 lbs when loaded how we normally travel.
After around 3000 towing miles in the flat East coast this summer, no complaints with how it tows, MPG, etc. but I would like some peace of mind by upgrading some components. I intend to keep this vehicle and TT for at least another couple years and the kids are getting bigger.
..........
I think it is time to seriously rethink your math!
You state 99.99% non towing and .01% towing, do you really put 300,000 miles a year on that Suburban.
If you are a "normal" amount of mileage 15,000 a year you are towing 20% of the miles, high mileage 30,000 it is still 10% towing.
Stop the band-aids, and get a 2500 for the safety of your family!
I personally strongly dislike heavy towing with semi floating axles, just not enough bearing surface!
