Forum Discussion

Npdchief07's avatar
Npdchief07
Explorer
Feb 04, 2017

Tow vehicle

I am looking to buy a trailer that is about 8500lbs. I currently have a 2005 Chevy Suburban Z71, is this trailer within it's capabilities? I am having a hard time finding this information. Additionally, would a Ford 150 tow this trailer?
  • Payload issue aside, you will also be above the GCWR. Additionally if equipped with the 5.3L engine, you will find that it struggles on even minor hills.
  • Your looking at between 1100 and 1500# tongue weight depending on the loaded up weight. Definitely in 3/4 ton territory.
  • As a general answer, I'd say no. I have a Nash 26X that's about 8600# and I tow it with a Ford 3/4t with a 6.0 diesel that's been gone through. The truck tows it without a problem on the flats and into medium mountains.

    Last summer when I was bringing it north, I got into a long stretch of steep mountains that I believe was between Penticton and Kelowna where I wasn't liking that load behind the truck at all. I broke a hose clamp off of the turbo intake but luckily the Ford dealer in Kelowna was open and had one left.

    You might make do in the flat flats, but after that you're going to run into problems I believe.

    Bill
  • Absolutely not. And you would be pushing the limits of even a new F-150 chassis with that dry weight.
  • Typically 1500 series Suburbans are already at their limits just loaded with family and their stuff.
    I assume your like 99% of the people who come on here and ask, your looking at the mystical dry weight number. If so that means your asking about a 10,000 pound trailer. In that case your so far out of your league is no longer worth considering.
  • I had a 2005 Chevy Suburban towing a 6000 pound trailer. It towed fine for about 3 months and then the transmission got killed! I replaced the transmission with a used rebuilt, but it NEVER towed right again. 3 months after that, we sold the Surburban for our first 3500 gas duly (Silverado).

    If you tow with that Suburban, make sure you NEVER tow in "over drive". And you may still kill the transmission. I advise.... don't!

    Click on My Profile on the left and see a photo of it.
  • Look at the driver side door post there should be a sticker there which gives you some info. Primarily the payload capacity. Is that the empty weight of the trailer or the max weight. If it is the empty weight the actual weight will be more like 10,000# and the tongue weight will be around 1500#. Take the payload number subtract the weights of all passengers, dog, luggage, ice chest, misc stuff and a weight distributing hitch from that payload what is left over must be greater than the tongue weight.

    As for the F150 the answer is maybe, it has to be setup with the right accessories, the max towing package and 17 inch tires. Even then I'm not sure if that would be enough.