which tow vehicle should i get to pull Outback 210RS model?210RS shipping weight 4904 carrying capacity 2646 hitch 550Suburban 1/2 ton dry wight 5680 3/4ton 6141 max payload 1520 2459 GVWR 7200 8600 Max tow 8100 9600 GCWR 14000 16000I probably use TT 10times(trips) a year and few occasion i might bring 4 adults (including myself) and 4 kids. That is why i need to get full size SUV and enought power to safely tow TT, but also have to consider fuel mileage when not tow TT. (1/2ton 15/21 VS 10/15)Let's say if I put 1000lbs in TT, that puts me around 6000 and hitch weight of 900 (15%), so 1/2ton's max payload 1520-900 put me 620 for passengers, then if i bring extra guest, it will over max payload amount. So should i go for 3/4 ton? Thank you in advance. (haven't bought anything yet.. it's going to be my 1st purchase soon)

Either get the 2500 series sub or have your friends follow in separate vehicle.When contemplating rv purchase, it's always a compromise. Go big, stay within weight ratings and get lower mpg, or push the envelope beyond max rating (and perhaps safety ratings) and get better mileage.Your decision!

3/4 ton just for payload concerns.mpg should not be that different with a 6.0. the 8.1 will be harder on gas.

3/4 ton would be ideal but I would personally be comfortable with a properly equipped 1/2 ton. I also feel that I am a minority here with my thinking... Or that I am open minded about it. Take all opinions here as that...opinions.

The 1/2 ton will tow that tt fine, but not with 8 passengers on board. Doesn't have enough payload for that plus the tongue weight. Depending on the weights of the passengers you may not have enough payload with a 3/4 ton either.

Why don't you take the fully loaded travel trailer to a scale and get it weighed. You are assuming 1000 lbs of stuff, if you weigh it you will know the true number. It could be more or less than you think. You seem to understand the calculations, now if you remove the hypothetical trailer weight you can make an informed decision. If the numbers work buy the 1/2 ton otherwise you can get the 3/4 ton.The other thing to consider is your terrain, will you be traveling through the mountains or are most of your trips on flat land? Climbing (engine, transmission, cooling) and descending (braking) are where you will feel the limits of your vehicle. In a more extreme geography, most would prefer the more capable tow vehicle. There's nothing like the feeling of standing on your brakes on a steep down grade.

suburban 1/2ton or 3/4ton for pulling outback210rs

johnrbd
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
Either get the 2500 series sub or have your friends follow in separate vehicle.

When contemplating rv purchase, it's always a compromise. Go big, stay within weight ratings and get lower mpg, or push the envelope beyond max rating (and perhaps safety ratings) and get better mileage.

Your decision!
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2013
3/4 ton just for payload concerns.

mpg should not be that different with a 6.0. the 8.1 will be harder on gas.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
3/4 ton would be ideal but I would personally be comfortable with a properly equipped 1/2 ton. I also feel that I am a minority here with my thinking... Or that I am open minded about it.

Take all opinions here as that...opinions.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
The 1/2 ton will tow that tt fine, but not with 8 passengers on board. Doesn't have enough payload for that plus the tongue weight. Depending on the weights of the passengers you may not have enough payload with a 3/4 ton either.
KKWilliams
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
Why don't you take the fully loaded travel trailer to a scale and get it weighed. You are assuming 1000 lbs of stuff, if you weigh it you will know the true number. It could be more or less than you think. You seem to understand the calculations, now if you remove the hypothetical trailer weight you can make an informed decision. If the numbers work buy the 1/2 ton otherwise you can get the 3/4 ton.

The other thing to consider is your terrain, will you be traveling through the mountains or are most of your trips on flat land? Climbing (engine, transmission, cooling) and descending (braking) are where you will feel the limits of your vehicle. In a more extreme geography, most would prefer the more capable tow vehicle. There's nothing like the feeling of standing on your brakes on a steep down grade.
APT
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
Half ton will probably be fine. TW will not likely be 900 pounds, more like 750, with only 600 on the truck's axles using a weight distributing hitch. Would the 3/4 ton be better? Yep.

How many miles per year non towing? Are you shopping for a new SUV? 10 trips a year is actually a lot, that's every summer weekend for example. How far towing?
nolra
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
For the difference in cost I'd get a 3/4 ton just because of the upgrades for ANY 3/4 ton vehicle. Bigger brakes, axles, gears, springs, (frames in some), tires, transmissions, coolers, radiators, even many of the suspension bolts are larger on the 3/4 ton than a 1/2 ton. It's a lot more than just a set of bigger springs in the back. It's just a lot harder to wear out a 3/4 ton than a 1/2 ton. Wouldn't matter if I was towing a little Casita, I'd still have a 3/4 ton.. Wait, I am and I do.. (-:}
Kalabin
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
I actually owned a 2007 Keystone Outback 21RS and towed it with a 2006 F150 Crew Cab 5.4, 3.73 etc. Pulling wise the 6.0 will be plenty strong especially if you can get one with the 6-speed. However as others have hinted at the hitch weight + payload of gear and passangers gets eaten up very fast. We put a lot of the weight in that trailer vs carrying it in our truck bed. But we still bounced around when we had a fully loaded truck.

For the minor price difference go for the 3/4-ton Suburban with the 6.0 6-speed.
krobbe
Explorer
Mar 18, 2013
The 3/4 ton Burb will allow for many more model choices when upgrading to a larger TT the next time. I bought my 3/4 8.1L to travel in comfort and tow a larger TT with a bunkhouse for the kids. But, I only use mine for camping and weekend trips. I wouldn't want to fill the tank every week for daily driving.
whjco
Explorer
Mar 23, 2013
I'd go 3/4 ton. Much more capable suspension and brakes than a 1/2 ton.