cw2006 wrote:
In my case, I'm about 100 lbs over and my owner manual effectively says if I only had had the 4.10 gear instead of the 3.73 I would be 900 lbs under.
Actually, that isn't true. The GVWR of any GMT800 (2000-2006) 1/2 ton Suburban is 7200# regardless of axle ratio. My 2005 with a 3.42 was 7200#. Where you gain the 1000# is on your GCWR. The 13k would increase to 14k#.
If you don't want to upgrade your vehicle, just make sure you maintain the current one properly and frequently. My rear differential on the 1/2 ton Suburban would run something like 300-350F while towing and over 200F not towing. My current van when I have checked it is running under 250F while towing. So, it essentially performs the same towing as my half ton did not towing. I didn't tow with that set up long enough to know if that high of a temperature really causes premature failure. If you haven't done so already, change your tranny fluid to a synthetic.
I do congratulate you on only being 100# over your axle weight and under on your GCWR. With the trailer in my signature I was 200# over my RAWR and was 800# over my 13k GCWR, and that was 5 years ago when the kids were much smaller.
