towing with a suburban
Need some suggestions on what size of trailer I can tow with my suburban. Here is what I have: 2008 Z71 Suburban 5.3L 3.73 rear end GVWR 7200lb Just need an idea of what weight of trailer I nee...
Forum Discussion
Find out what towing capacity you have--it should be in your owner's manual.
You need to know if it is equipped with a transmission cooler. If not, you need one. You will also need a brake controller.
You will be limited by either the tow capacity or the cargo capacity of your vehicle.
You will likely add 1000 lb or so to the dry weight of a trailer. That total should be around 80 percent of your tow rating for a comfortable tow. You might get by with more for short trips.
Then find out the curb weight of your vehicle. Subtract it from the GVWR you just gave. That is the cargo capacity. Your trailer tongue weight is part of the cargo. The trailer tongue weight needs to be 10-15 percent of the loaded trailer weight for a good tow. The tongue weight, people, and stuff in the vehicle should not exceed the cargo capacity.
So if you have a 5000 lb loaded trailer, the tongue weight should be 500-750 lb, most likely about in the middle of that range. See how much cargo capacity that leaves you.
You need to know if it is equipped with a transmission cooler. If not, you need one. You will also need a brake controller.
You will be limited by either the tow capacity or the cargo capacity of your vehicle.
You will likely add 1000 lb or so to the dry weight of a trailer. That total should be around 80 percent of your tow rating for a comfortable tow. You might get by with more for short trips.
Then find out the curb weight of your vehicle. Subtract it from the GVWR you just gave. That is the cargo capacity. Your trailer tongue weight is part of the cargo. The trailer tongue weight needs to be 10-15 percent of the loaded trailer weight for a good tow. The tongue weight, people, and stuff in the vehicle should not exceed the cargo capacity.
So if you have a 5000 lb loaded trailer, the tongue weight should be 500-750 lb, most likely about in the middle of that range. See how much cargo capacity that leaves you.
